Malachi Lawrence identifies Horace Lockett and Isaiah Nixon as the next dominant defensive forces ready to make their mark for the UCF Knights.
Malachi Lawrence told NFL media and Knight Nation who's up next for the UCF Knights in the defensive lineman group before his stellar performance at the NFL combine.
The UCF alum said defensive tackle Horace Lockett and EDGE Isaiah Nixon are who the media will talk about next season. Lawrence briefly complimented his teammates' skill sets, starting with Lockett.
"He's a bigger guy," Lawrence said. "D-tackle, so he can move the pocket. He's also a good pass rusher and he'll surprise you with speed."
Lockett's season ended abruptly after four games due to a torn pectoral muscle he suffered against Kansas State on Sept. 27, 2025. Before his season-ending injury, he was a force to deal with for opposing offensive linemen.
The 6-foot-6, 355-pound defensive tackle recorded 13 tackles (8 solo), three tackles for a loss (a career-high), a sack (the first of his career) and two pass breakups.
Lockett has one year of eligibility left for the Knights, and his return will add much-needed size the team missed when he went down for the season. Whereas Nixon has two years of eligibility left, leaving more room for his growth.
Lawrence expressed his confidence in Nixon bringing his on-field traits together to put his name on the map next season.
"His bend, he's incredibly fast," Lawrence said. "He's a very gifted player and I believe he's going to bring it all together this year."
Like his predecessor, Nixon has spent his entire collegiate career at UCF and has improved in every season he's earned significant snaps.
The St. Petersburg, Fla. native recorded 24 tackles (a career-high) — 11 of them solo —, 3.5 tackles for a loss and a sack this past season. Nixon had a career-high performance against the North Carolina A%T Aggies, finishing with six tackles.
Lockett's return and Nixon's ascension earned high praise from Lawrence, and their names have appeared on the radars of many scouts who will evaluate the Knights next season.
UCF's future at the defensive line position is bright with Lockett and Nixon leading the charge. They aim to return to form and put the college football world on notice with the dominance they displayed when they won the Big 12 Defensive Line of the Week honors against West Virginia.
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