Providing a fast updated account of UCF’s Spring Transfer Movement, as the Knights have multiple players moving in and out ahead of their second season as a member of the Big 12 conference.
Stephen Leonard
ORLANDO, FL - The season of the transfer portal hasofficially returned, as spring camphas come to an end players are beginning to announce they will be looking for other destinations to play their football. Gus Malzahn andthe UCF Knights have been pretty adept at using the portal to their benefit with starters at quarterback, running back, two wide receiver positions, three offensive line positions, both defensive tackles, and both linebacker positions occupied by transfers at the end of lastseason. That list includes All-Big 12 First Team wide receiver Javon Baker who joined the Knights from Alabama and All-Big 12 Second Team linebacker Jason Johnson who arrived in Orlando by way of Eastern Illinois. That is the beauty of the portal, talent can come in from one of the elite schools searching for playing time or it can come from lower divisions looking for better competition. With UCF prepping for its second season as a member of a power conference they'll likely continue to use the portal to build depth at key areas, and replace any outgoings currently seen. (BELOW IS A TRACKER OF EVERY PLAYER IN AND OUT FOR UCF)
IN:
Hawkins redshirted during his lone season at Ohio State, the 4 Star DB earned the honor of removing his black stripe in December. As a high schooler he recorded314 tackles, 44 pass breakups, 14 interceptions, 5 blocked kicks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 10 total touchdowns. He’ll have 4 years of eligibility and be classified as a redshirt-freshman at UCF.
Another Florida native with multiple years of eligibility remaining, Kelly transfers to UCF with a decent amount of experience however as he appeared in 16 games with 3 starts during his time at Miami. The former 4 Star Edge dealt with injuries down in south Florida, but was effective in his appearances recording19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and4 sacks. He chose the Knights over Missouri, who made a run at him to help their defense in the SEC. He’ll have 3years of eligibility remaining and be classified as a redshirt-sophom*ore at UCF.
Bernstein will arrive to UCF as a walk-on with the Knights already having Gage King returning for his second season, but offers great depth with Chris Bowerfind leaving. He made 9 starts in 2022 as a true freshman, playing in place of an injured starter, then redshirting as a sophom*ore last season. He’ll have 3 years of eligibility remaining and be classified as a redshirt-sophom*ore at UCF.
Fegans is a familiar name for UCF fans that have paid attention to the past few recruiting cycles, with the former USC cornerback having been a target in both high school and when he left Alabama last year. The Knights finally have their guy, and look for him to contribute this season, while also recruiting his younger brother Anquon Fegans. The older brother made 6 appearances as a redshirt-freshman, recording 9 tackles for the Trojans. He’ll have 3 years of eligibility and be classified as a redshirt-sophom*ore at UCF.
Brown was someone I had mentioned as a player to watch as UCF searched for a quarterback in December, however he decided not to enter the portal and KJ Jefferson joined the Knights. Malzahn has been a long time admirer of Brown’s game though and as soon as he entered the portal UCF immediately targeted him as a veteran backup with potential to compete against Dylan Rizk, Riley Trujillo, and EJ Colson for the 2025 season starting job. A classof 2022 4 Star QB Brown appearedin ninegamesforMiami, with three starts including a3-touchdown performance against Rutgers. He finished his Hurricanes’ career completing 47 of 76 passes for 411 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, also adding 278 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. He’ll have 3 years of eligibility remaining and be classified as a redshirt-sophom*ore at UCF.
Boone is a top tier running back, and immediately slots UCF into the conversation of having the top backfield in the country. The 2023 Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of TheYear was a 4 Star RB out of the state of Michigan, committing to Maryland where he racked up 258 yards and 2 touchdowns in 13 games over two seasons. Following his second season with the Terrapins he transferred to Toledo picking up over 500 total yards and 3 touchdowns on 120 touches. The 6’1, 240 lbs running back’sbreakout campaign came last season as he rushed for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns on 194 carries, as well as putting up 219 yards and an additional score through the air. He’ll have 1 year of eligibility remaining and be classified as a fifth year senior at UCF.
Jones adds a missing piece of UCF’s offensive weaponry as a big body on the outside to exploit matchups. He’ll also offer experience in the receiver room, which was a big worry entering Spring Camp. He dealt with a few nagging injuries, before his 2023 season came to a close due to a leg injury. However, in limited snaps he managed 8 receptions for 147 yards, including 4 catches for 85 yards in the first quarter against Bowling Green before suffering his injury. He doeshowever bring good experience as in 2022 he earned All-MAC with 776 yards and 6 scores on 45 receptions. Prior to his time with the Bobcats, Jones spent two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College, earning JuCo All-American honors both seasons. He’ll have 1 year of eligibility remaining and be classified as a redshirt-senior at UCF.
Arnold is another big time acquisition to flip UCF’s defensive roster, which needed help stopping the run. He’s someone that can help with that immediately as he makes plays happen all over the field. Named a FCS All-American at East Tennessee State University, he adds quality experience to a unit that lost a two yearstarter in Nikai Martinez this cycle. Arnold spent 4 years with the Buccaneers, primarily being used on special teams and as a rotational option in his first two years, recording fivetackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. His junior season saw his role improve dramatically, starting 5of 11 games, totaling 53 tackles, 4pass breakups, 2interceptions, 2tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. That set up his final year at ETSU, recording87 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 8 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 3 fumblerecoveries, 2 forced fumbles, 2 defensive touchdowns, and a sack. He’ll have 1 more year of eligibility remaining and be classified as a 5th year senior at UCF.
Smith offers exactly what UCF needs as there was a clear need for more quality in the offensive line room. Despite finishing as a Top 20 line in 2023 Herb Hand’s unit dealt with major injuries, leading to four starting centers. That combined with the departures of Tylan Grable, Drake Metcalf, Lokahi Pauole, and Bula Schmidt who all started throughout the season left UCF looking for more pieces. Smith is a big piece for that as his arrival as a guard allows Marcellus Marshall to be able to move back to right tackle where he started the 2023 season before moving inside. He’ll have 2 seasons of eligibility remaining, and be classified as a redshirt-junior at UCF.
OUT:
Martinez appeared in 27 games during his 2 seasons as a Knight, starting all 13 games as a sophom*ore. He recorded 75 tackles, six pass deflections, three interceptions, three tackles for loss, and one sack at UCF. The biggest contribution of his ultimately however will be the start of the “hometown hero” movement with Martinez being the first 4 star Orlando area prospect to choose UCF under Malzahn. He’ll have 2 years of eligibility remaining and be classified as a junior at his next school.
McClain appeared in 7 games for UCF, starting 3, and getting the lion’s share of attempts in 4 games this past season. After transferring in from South Florida following his freshman season he sat out the 2022 season, due to transfer rules. Returning to action in 2023 as John Rhys Plumlee’s backup, playing while Plumlee dealt with a meniscus injury. McClain threw 102 passes, completing 64 and recording 1,065 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions, while also running the ball 42 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. He’ll have 2 years of eligibility remaining and be classified as a redshirt-junior at his next school.
Lawrence has yet to make his collegiate debut, having redshirted as a freshman at Florida State before transferring to UCF in the winter window. He worked with mainly the third unit at UCF with occasional rotation playing with the ones and twos in Spring Camp. Lawrence was a top local player in the class of 2023 that UCF was very excited to get as a comeback, but the pairing just didn’t work out. He’ll have 4 years of eligibility and be classified as a redshirt-freshman at his next school.
Morris didn’t get to see the field much as a junior only appearing against Oklahoma State according to UCF’s online roster. He came to the Knights as a January enrollee in 2023, being ranked as the number 6 cornerback and number 36 overall Junior College player in his class. He’ll have 2 years of eligibility and be classified as a redshirt-junior at Georgia State.
Martin is one of the players that has followed a trend at UCF of walking on and playing his way into a scholarship. Having came to UCF under Josh Heupel as a freshman in 2020, Martin worked his way onto the field as a special teamer, and catching his first career pass in 2021 following Malzahn’s arrival. Following a 2022 season that saw him record his first touchdown on a pass from Isaiah Bowser he earned a scholarship at his childhood team. 2023 didn’t see Martin with any receptions, but he earned a second string designation and was a vital contributor in the screen pass game as a lead blocker, setting up many long plays and touchdowns. He’ll have 1year of eligibility and be classified as a redshirt-senior at Samford.
Duclona was a class of 2023 arrival for UCF that impressed during practices, but only appeared in 3 games as a true freshman behind a stacked defensive backfield. He flipped late in the cycle to the Knights after a summer commitment to Rutgers, and has worked as corner since he enrolled at UCF. He’ll have 4 years of eligibility and be classified as a redshirt-freshman at his next school.
Carter becomes the second player to re-enter the transfer portal this Spring, following a winter portal arrival. A 4 Star in the class of 2021, he signed with LSU out of high school, playing a rotational role for the Tigers making 18 appearances. He transferred to UNLV for the 2023 season, appearing in 11 games as a linebacker, entering the portal and transferring to UCF. He’ll have 1 year of eligibility and be classified as a senior at his next school.
Williams hadn’t made an appearance for UCF, but following the 2023 season transitioned to the defensive side of the ball, playing safety this Spring. After spending two years with Charlotte, the Georgia native transferred to UCF but was behind John Rhys Plumlee, Timmy McClain, and Dylan Rizk in the quarterback room. This Spring he moved to defensive back and had been a real bright spot as he took to the position like a fish to water, but looks to move somewhere he can get playing time early as an older player. He’ll have 2 years of eligibility and be classified as a redshirt-junior at his next school.
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