UCF DT Horace Lockett Projected as Day 3 Pick in NFL Draft Rankings

Several UCF Knights appeared in Chad Reuters' 2027 NFL Draft Rankings, potentially adding themselves to a long list of players drafted from the program.

Defensive tackle Horace Lockett came in as a "potential Day 3 pick" on Reuters' rankings. He is the lone Knight in that category, which speaks to his potential despite missing a majority of last season due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Lockett played four games before his injury and was on pace for a career season. He tallied 13 tackles (eight solo), a career-high three tackles for loss, one sack (first of his career), two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

His interior presence caused trouble for opponents early in the season. With a 6-foot-6, 355-pound frame, he uses his strength to bull-rush offensive linemen when rushing the quarterback or stopping the run.

UCF missed his size and strength despite having a rotation of John Walker, Rodney Lora and Derrick LeBlanc. The program almost lost all four of those players in January's transfer portal.

Walker (Ohio State), Lora (Purdue) and LeBlanc (Maryland) all transferred to different schools. Lockett joined them, initially entering the portal on Jan. 2.

Three days later, he withdrew and decided to return to the Knights. His teammates welcomed him back with open arms while he was dealing with family health complications.

"My decision was family-based," Lockett said in episode one of RISE. "My mom was going through a lot of complications with her health, and I just panicked. [I] Didn't know if I needed to be closer to her. But I'm glad to be back. I'm glad that the staff welcomed me back with open arms — and the players and everybody."

He said he found happiness at UCF, and a part of him was missing when he entered the portal. General manager Trent Mossbrucker believes UCF is where Lockett will thrive in his final season.

Lockett was named to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl Top 300 on Friday. His name is on NFL scouts' radar, and he has the opportunity to join his former Knights teammates at the professional level.

If drafted, Lockett would become the fourth defensive tackle selected from the program and the second in the decade. He would join Kalia Davis (sixth round, 220th overall, 2022), Trysten Hill (second round, 58th overall, 2019) and Torrell Troup (second round, 41st overall, 2010).

Returning from injury, he'll likely see action as a starter at nose tackle. A healthy Lockett could reclaim the breakout year he was having last season and carry it over to this season.