Bellamy dominates Big 12 defenses, making plays and establishing his name. He's a rising star set for a dominant senior season at UCF.
Junior cornerback Jayden Bellamy had a strong season for UCF after transferring in from Syracuse. Bellamy notched 27 total tackles, while serving as a ball hawk in defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's scheme, defending eight passes and snagging one interception.
He also helped man a Knights secondary that was among the top in the Big 12. According to teamrankings.com, UCF ranked within the top-30 overall in passing defense, giving up just under 200 yards per game (198.3).
For his efforts, he was named the fifth-best returning cornerback in the FBS, grading in at an 88.9, according to PFSN College. Bellamy received the third-highest grade among Big 12 corners on the list, trailing just behind Texas Tech's Brice Pollock and BYU's Evan Johnson.
Ranking among the best of the best in the Big 12 was one of Bellamy's goals for the past season and this ranking solidifies his quest.
"I feel like just having a chip on my shoulder," Bellamy said. "I always kept a chip on my shoulder, and, you know, I just feel like coming into the Big 12, I feel like just trying to make a mark for my name. I feel like I've been doing that, and I feel like I'm just trying to establish my name and just get it out there."
Bellamy announced he would be returning to UCF for his senior season, solidifying an experienced and talented defensive backs room that also returned Braeden Marshall. He recently spoke on what it means to return to campus with a new responsibility to be a leader.
"It means a lot just to lead the team," Bellamy said. "I know people are going to be looking at me as a leader and stuff like that."
In his second season in the black and gold, Bellamy will be even more familiar with Grinch's scheme and what it means to play in the Big 12. Following the season finale against BYU, Bellamy spoke to media about learning what it means to play in the Big 12.
"[I'm] not really familiar with the Big 12 and what they try to do with their schemes and stuff like that," Bellamy said. "So I really just came into the season trying to do my job to the best of my ability — to my 100% — and don't chase plays, the plays [are] just going to come to you. And as we've seen, the plays just come to me, and I just make a play."
