Ucf Edge Declares For Nfl Draft

UCF Knights EDGE Nyjalik Kelly has declared for nan 2026 NFL Draft, he announced successful a connection posted to his Instagram relationship Friday afternoon.

Kelly, who could person tried to get a aesculapian redshirt aft playing conscionable 4 games successful his past play astatine Miami (FL) successful 2023, elected to participate his sanction into nan 2026 NFL Draft aft 2 seasons astatine UCF.

"To Knight Nation, from my first measurement successful The Bounce House, I felt thing but love, from everyone astatine UCF," Kelly said successful his statement. "I will cherish those memories for nan remainder of my life. Thank you."

Kelly besides thanked nan UCF coaching staff, including Scott Frost, his mother, his Uncle Rod, family, girl and teammates.

Kelly is nan 3rd Knight to publically state for nan 2026 NFL Draft, joining protect backmost Phillip Dunnam and kicker Noe Ruelas. However, they are not nan only ones who person been showcasing their skills to master scouts. 

Running backs Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon some participated successful nan Hula Bowl, pinch Nixon moreover scoring a touchdown during nan game. Linebacker Keli Lawson and Cole Kozlowski, positive violative lineman Paul Rubelt, are group to compete successful nan inaugural American Bowl connected Jan. 22nd astatine 8 p.m. successful Lakeland. Finally, EDGE Malachi Lawrence, alongside Kelly himself, is slated to play successful nan East-West Shrine Bowl connected Jan. 27.

Taking into relationship each of those players, Kelly is 1 of 9 Knights vying for a changeable astatine signing pinch an NFL roster, possibly pinch proceeding their sanction called during nan 2026 Draft to boot.

Kelly is coming disconnected a second-straight play getting named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. He started each 12 games for nan Knights, signaling 46 tackles (33 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 walk breakups and an interception.

With Kelly's return now officially disconnected nan table, nan Knights suffer some of their starting EDGEs from nan 2025 season, apt needing to move to nan transportation portal to capable those roles for 2026. As of nan clip of this article's writing, they've already added six protect linemen, though their opportunities to adhd much are group to gradually shrink erstwhile nan transportation portal closes to caller entrants astatine 11:59 p.m. connected Friday, which is simply a fewer hours away.

Catch up connected UCF news below:

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The 2026 UCF Knights Transfer Portal Tracker

Three Key Takeaways From UCF's Road Win Over Kansas State