UCF Defense Preview 2025: The Transfer Portal Loaded Up the Knights

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- The defense might be loaded with transfers, but edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly is a returning starter. He spent his first two seasons at Miami and last year made a team-high 5.5 sacks with 9.5 tackles for loss with the Knights. Malachi Lawrence has 12.5 sacks over the last two years, and Sincere Edwards (Pitt) is a young pass rusher with all-star potential.

You don’t get better losing tackles like Ricky Barber and Lee Hunter, but John Walker is a big presence who had a nice freshman year before missing all of last season hurt, and Horace Lockett (Georgia Tech) is a true anchor with 6-6, 315-pound size to work around.

- The linebacking corps will be about the four parts of the puzzle coming in from the transfer portal, and they’re all good gets.

Keli Lawson (Virginia Tech) should be one of the team’s leading tacklers after working for four years at Virginia Tech, and Lewis Carter (Oklahoma) is a good-looking disruptive force on the outside.

Phil Picciotti (Oklahoma) has good size and range, and Cole Kozlowski (Colgate) was a tackling machine at the lower level.

- There’s a lot to like about the UCF secondary. Demari Henderson returns after missing all of last year, but the safety made 45 stops in 2023. Phillip Dunnam made 53 tackles and three picks for Indiana in 2203, and 56 stops with three more interceptions for Florida Atlantic last year - he’ll be a star in this D.

Throw in former Ohio State super-recruit Jyaire Brown (LSU) - who might work at corner - and Braeden Marshall, and the safety talent is there.

The corners are deep, too. If Isaiah Reed (Brown) can stay healthy, he has All-Big 12 upside. Jayden Bellamy (Syracuse) made a lot of big plays in the ACC, and DJ Bell (Memphis) should find a spot somewhere. 

Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season 
2025 UCF Preview
UCF Offense Breakdown