Fresh off a career year at Old Dominion, the veteran transfer brings a physical edge to Orlando as he joins the nation’s elite linebackers on this prestigious preseason list.
The UCF Knights have another player named to a watch list ahead of this season, as Jahleel Culbreath was tabbed to the Butkus Award Watch List.
He is one of 51 players nominated in its 42nd season. The number pays homage to NFL legend Dick Butkus, and the award is handed to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Culbreath is coming off a career year with the Old Dominion Monarchs. He finished last season with a career-best 71 tackles (ranked fourth on the team), nine tackles for loss and three sacks (ranked second). The former Monarch tied a single-game career-high nine tackles in a 21-7 victory over Liberty on Sept. 27.
He played a significant role in helping Old Dominion finish 6-2 in the Sun Belt East. Its defense held opponents to 18.5 points per game, finishing second in the conference behind JMU.
The Monarchs earned a trip to the StaffDNA Cure Bowl against South Florida on Dec. 17 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Culbreath tallied five tackles and a tackle loss in his team's 24-10 victory.
After four seasons at Old Dominion, the 6-foot-4 linebacker entered the transfer portal for his final collegiate season.
Culbreath did not stray far from Camping World Stadium, signing with UCF, picking up where he left off in December.
He said it was his first visit while in the portal and that Orlando is like a second home. He played Pop Warner in the city, played in Kissimmee for Worldwide of Sports and his sister cheers a lot.
For him, it was a "no-brainer" to commit and learn under linebacker coach Mike D'Onofrio.
The Knights needed linebacker depth after losing Cole Kozlowski -- who's now back with the squad via recent court injunctions -- Troy Ford Jr., TJ Bullard and Kam Moore to the transfer portal and Keli Lawson's eligibility expiring. Lewis Carter was the only returner with multiple starts under his belt and led the team with 92 tackles.
Culbreath said his game is fast, physical and smart. He can diagnose plays on the field quickly and brings a lot of energy as a leader.
That leadership and experience are what UCF sought in the portal for other players. This gives the team an edge it didn't have last year. The program was undergoing a rebuild with the re-hire of Scott Frost and coaching staff changes.
The Old Dominion transfer said he has a chip on his shoulder; not for himself, but for last year's team that finished 5-7 and missed a bowl game for a second straight season.
"I feel like, you know, we owe you guys something, and we're excited to see what we bring to the table game one," Culbreath said on April 28.
