NFL training camps are underway again, and a familiar UCF footprint is scattered across the league as preseason games draw near. From veteran cornerback Mike Hughes trying to hold his spot in Atlanta to rookie Malachi Lawrence stepping into Dallas with plenty of buzz, several former Knights are getting their first real crack at the 2026 season.
In Atlanta, Hughes is battling for another starting job at cornerback. The ninth-year veteran has competition everywhere in the Falcons’ secondary, and missing the final three games of last season with an ankle injury didn’t help his case. Even so, he is reportedly a full participant to begin camp.
Buffalo’s Tylan Grable is heading into his third NFL season, all of it with the Bills. Injuries limited his action in 2025, but he finished the year back in a reserve role. Grable has shown he can handle both tackle spots, which gives him a clear path to back up Dion Dawkins or Spencer Brown when needed.
Kalia Davis landed in Cleveland this offseason on a one-year deal that can be worth up to $3 million. After four years with the San Francisco 49ers, Davis is coming off his most productive season yet, starting all 17 games and posting a career-high 28 tackles, 3 pass breakups, and half a sack. That puts him in strong position to make the Browns and serve as one of the main interior backups to open the year.
Dallas made Malachi Lawrence the 23rd overall pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, and the rookie arrives with real expectations after a final UCF season that included seven sacks and a career-high 11 tackles for loss. He may not open the season as a full-time starter, but if camp goes well, he could quickly become part of the Cowboys’ pass-rush rotation.
RJ Harvey’s first NFL season was a strong one in Denver. He led all rookies with 12 total touchdowns and finished with 896 yards from scrimmage in 2025.
With J.K. Dobbins healthy again, Harvey is likely to begin the year as the Broncos’ No. 2 back, though his versatility and Dobbins’ injury history could still lead to another big workload in 2026.
Green Bay brought in two former UCF players as undrafted free agents this offseason: edge Nyjalik Kelly and running back Jaden Nixon. Kelly should get a good look in camp, helped along by Micah Parsons’ current injury. The Packers gave Kelly $262,500 in guaranteed money, a strong sign they see developmental value in him.
Nixon has a steeper climb. Green Bay already has five other running backs on the roster, plus several candidates for the kick return job. Every preseason rep will matter for him.
Las Vegas added receiver Brandon Johnson this summer, giving him a reunion with former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as he tries to earn another 53-man roster spot. Johnson has had limited opportunities over the last two seasons, with four of his five career touchdown catches coming in 2023.
The Raiders’ receiver room is crowded, but it does not feature a true star. Also in Las Vegas, fourth-year longsnapper Alex Ward signed a one-year deal after three seasons with the Rams.
He is the favorite for the job, but Penn State rookie Tyler Duzansky is in the mix.
New England handed running back Myles Montgomery a three-year undrafted free agent deal with $272,500 in total guaranteed money, the most guaranteed money the Patriots have ever given to an undrafted free agent. Montgomery will try to win the third-string running back job behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, and his speed gives him a real shot to contribute on special teams.
Philadelphia’s Mac McWilliams is trying to carve out a bigger role after logging just 49 snaps in the 2025 regular season. He recorded one tackle and one pass breakup. The challenge gets tougher with Riq Woolen now in the Eagles’ secondary, so McWilliams will need to make the most of whatever preseason chances he gets.
Seattle’s Amari Kight is back for his second pro season after being part of the Seahawks’ championship roster in 2025. He played in four regular-season games and one playoff game before injuries ended his rookie year, and he is set to make just over $1 million in base salary this season. Kight will have to outplay Logan Brown and Bobby Hart if he wants regular snaps, though Seattle’s history up front means opportunity could still come later.
Tampa Bay signed longtime UCF tackle Paul Rubelt earlier this offseason. The Germany native, who came to the U.S. to play college football, has a roster exemption through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, so he does not count against the 90-man camp limit. At 6-foot-10, he has drawn plenty of attention for his upside, but earning rotation work at either tackle spot as a rookie will be a challenge.
Washington has two more former Knights in the mix. Defensive tackle Ricky Barber spent most of last season on the practice squad before appearing in two regular-season games, where he posted five tackles and one sack.
The interior defensive line room is crowded, so playing time won’t come easily. Receiver Jacoby Jones also spent much of last season on Washington’s practice squad, and while his path to the 53-man roster looks slim, injuries ahead of him could change that.
In Other News...
Former UCF Tackle Paul Rubelt Is Making The Most Of A Big Chance
Former UCF tackle Paul Rubelt is getting a real look in Tampa Bays training camp, and the timing has given the rookie a chance to show why he drew attention as an undrafted free agent. The 6-foot-10 lineman brought both size and athleticism with him from Orlando, where he started most games at left tackle last season, and The Athletic labeled him one of the more promising undrafted additions in the class.
Rubelts opportunity has grown because the Buccaneers have needed extra depth on the line, opening more reps for a player trying to carve out a spot on the final roster. For now, the former Knight is simply trying to make the most of the snaps in front of him and keep himself in the mix as Tampa Bay sorts out its offensive tackle picture. [Read more 🡒]
Scott Frost Now Faces A UCF Roster Twist He Didn't Expect
A late court ruling has added another layer of uncertainty to college football rosters, and UCF is among the teams watching closely. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a preliminary injunction that grants a fifth year of eligibility to all Class of 2022 NCAA athletes, creating a fresh question for coaches already trying to piece together depth charts, scholarship plans and spring priorities.
Scott Frost acknowledged the uncertainty around the decision and what it could mean for his roster, especially with the calendar already moving and roster construction never feeling simple in the current era. The legal fight is not finished, and even with the ruling in place, the NCAAs next steps and the practical effects on player movement leave the Knights waiting for a clearer picture before they know how much this development might matter. [Read more 🡒]
UCF's Keyshawn Hall Reunion Dream May Come Down To One Obstacle
A recent court injunction has opened the door for former UCF forward Keyshawn Hall to play one more season of college basketball, and the possibility has put a familiar reunion back on the table. Hall, who previously declared for the NBA draft and spent summer league with the Miami Heat before struggling to land a roster spot, has become one of the more intriguing names on the market as programs weigh whether to bring him back into the fold.
UCF is among the schools with interest, alongside LSU, Kansas and Kentucky, but the chase may ultimately come down to whether the Knights can match the financial reality surrounding his return. Halls decision is now tied to a marketplace that could favor the biggest spenders, leaving UCF hoping the pull of a second act in Orlando is enough to keep it in the race. [Read more 🡒]