Knights showcase NFL aspirations at Pro Day. Several standout players aim to impress scouts, securing their dreams of professional football.
UCF sent EDGEs Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly to the NFL Scouting Combine last month, and is hosting its pro day for several more Knights to showcase their talents at the Nicholson Fieldhouse.
Lawrence and Kelly will join linebackers Keli Lawson and Cole Kozlowski, tight end Dallan "Deebo" Coleman, defensive back Phillip Dunnam, wide receiver Marcus Burke, running backs Jaden Nixon and Myles Montgomery, kicker Noe Ruelas, and offensive linemen Cameron Kinnie, Jabari Brooks and Paul Rubelt.
Pro day operates similarly to the NFL Scouting Combine, where players perform position drills and take their measurements for scouts. The key difference is where the event takes place, which is a college campus.
It gives players not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine — Lawson, Kozlowksi, Coleman, Dunnam, Burke, Nixon, Montgomery, Ruelas, Kinnie, Brooks and Rubelt — a chance to show their talents in front of scouts for a chance to play in the NFL.
Lawson and Kozlowski were standout linebackers for defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Lawson recorded the first multi-sack game of his career against then-No. 11 Brigham Young, and Kozlowski earned an All-Big 12 third team selection.
Montgomery and Nixon became UCF's potent backfield duo, advancing the downs and breaking off big plays for the Knights. The duo combined for 1,259 yards and 11 touchdowns on 214 carries. Replacing their production became a priority for coach Scott Frost in the transfer portal.
Dunnam became the first Knight to announce his decision to enter the NFL draft shortly after the season ended. The Miami Beach native recorded the best game of his career against the Houston Cougars with three interceptions.
Ruelas followed Dunnam's announcement with one of his own. He had a stellar season with the Knights, earning All-Big 12 Third Team and being named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award. Ruelas converted 88.2% of his field goals, placing him at the top of the Big 12 and 15th in the nation.
Kinnie, Brooks and Rubelt played a significant role in the offensive line, earning Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week for their performance against West Virginia. Kinnie graded out as the team's second-best pass blocker (78.6), Brooks finished as the second-highest run blocker (63.8) and blocker overall (64.2) and Rubelt played 641 snaps last season, the most amongst his position group.
Burke had an injury-riddled season with UCF, only playing six games. He totaled 181 yards on 13 catches. Coleman only played two games last season, his first against North Carolina A&T and his second against West Virginia.
Lawrence and Kelly have another chance to impress scouts and improve their draft stock. Meanwhile, the other 11 players will perform in front of these scouts for the first time, aiming to stamp their names in future NFL mock drafts.
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