Former UCF Standout EDGE Posts Stellar NFL Preseason Outing

Throughout the NFL preseason, multiple former UCF Knights have seized their opportunities to showcase their skillsets and push to make a roster spot.

While first-round pick Malachi Lawrence was the most-notable UCF player to land with an NFL squad, multiple former Knights signed deals as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the draft.

Nyjalik Kelly, who lined up opposite Lawrence on UCF's defensive line, has been making plays throughout the preseason with the Green Bay Packers.

On Friday night, he had a statement performance ahead of Sunday's final roster cuts, recording an interception, sack, two tackles for loss, four pressures, and a pass breakup against the Arizona Cardinals.

For his interception, Kelly quickly got off the line and fell into a hard flat on the right sideline, before extending for a momentum-shifting catch.

Kelly was mobbed by his teammates following the play, before he ran up through the endzone and did the famous Lambeau Leap.

Later in the game, with Green Bay holding onto a one-point lead, Kelly got around the edge on Arizona's left tackle, pursuing the quarterback for a sack.

Kelly was able to track down Kedon Slovis as he rolled out right, recording his second-straight game with a sack.

Alongside former Knights running back Jaden Nixon, who is also currently with the Packers, Kelly's performance likely solidified his place on the roster come Sunday.

He recently signed a contract with Green Bay worth upwards of $250,000, and will at minimum be a player kept on the practice squad.

In college, Kelly racked up 12.5 sacks during his career, while accumulating over 100 tackles. 

He had an impressive senior season for UCF, tallying three sacks and 46 tackles en route to an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

He also led the squad with eight quarterback hurries.

Kelly was a big time playmaker, forcing a team-high two fumbles and hauling in his only career interception. Both fumbles Kelly forced (vs N.C. A&T and West Virginia) were returned for touchdowns.

Kelly was previously seeking a possible medical redshirt from missed time earlier in his career, but made the decision to enter the NFL draft, penning a heartfelt message to Knight Nation.

"I have been blessed and fortunate over the past two seasons, to have played for Coach Frost and the entire Knights Coaching Staff. Thank you for the amazing opportunity to be a part of Knight Nation," Kelly wrote. 

Kelly now steps into a highly-regarded franchise with Green Bay, having the opportunity to watch and learn from Micah Parsons, who has become one of the best edge rushers in the NFL.