Jailen Duffie already knows what it takes to win at one level. Now he’s trying to show he can do it again at UCF.
The former North Dakota State cornerback arrives in Orlando with a strong FCS résumé, but the jump to the Big 12 means starting fresh. Duffie made his name with the Bison, where he turned into an all-conference defensive back after coming out of high school in 2023 with more than 20 FCS offers.
He chose North Dakota State, a program he saw as quickly ascending in the MVFC, and said the staff developed him as much as they could. After redshirting as a freshman, Duffie grew into a starter on a championship team and started 20 of his 25 games over the past two seasons.
North Dakota State won the Division I FCS Championship in 2024, and Duffie played a real role in that run. He posted 26 tackles, including 18 solo stops, in eight starts and added a tackle for loss in the quarterfinal win over Mercer. Last season, the 5-foot-11 corner earned All-MVFC Second Team honors, and quarterbacks largely stayed away from his side as he finished with two pass breakups.
What stood out most to Duffie about his time with the Bison was their "want" and "consistency" in workouts, traits he believes helped push the program from FCS to FBS as it joined the Mountain West Conference.
Now he’s brought that mindset to UCF, following defensive backs coach Will Johnson into the portal before Johnson was hired away by the Minnesota Vikings. Even with that sudden change, Duffie said the Knights made him feel at home right away, and he spent the summer building chemistry with his new teammates.
"Those summer workouts that build trust within each other, just knowing who's going out there, who's going to give it their all," Duffie told local media on Tuesday. "Who's going to put it on the line for the guy next to them, and then there was another, like, the program thing we did."
He also said DJ Bell has been a big help, taking him under his wing and bringing him into late-night indoor workouts with the JUGS machine.
Duffie steps into a senior-heavy defensive back room led by Jayden Bellamy and Braeden Marshall. UCF’s secondary was already one of the best in the Big 12 last season, ranking in the top three in passing defense while allowing 185.1 yards per game.
For Duffie, the challenge now is simple: carry over what he proved at North Dakota State and help make that lockdown unit even tougher. He said his off-man coverage has improved over the summer, and he’s determined to earn his place again.
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Former UCF Star Keyshawn Hall Is Back In A Recruiting Battle
Keyshawn Halls college career may not be as finished as it once looked. After leading the Big 12 in scoring at UCF and then spending his senior season at Auburn, the former Knights standout is still eligible to return to the college game under the sports new eligibility rules, which has put him back on the radar for programs looking to add a proven scorer.
Social media chatter has already started to swirl around his next move, and Halls name is being floated in connection with multiple high-profile schools. He played for Bruce Pearl at Auburn and earned Third-Team All-SEC honors there, so the appeal is obvious, but for now there is no official commitment and the next step in his recruiting process remains open. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Faces A Kicking Decision That Could Shape Its Season
The kicking job at UCF is still very much up for grabs after Noe Ruelas moved on, and the Knights are sorting through a competition that could matter more than it looks in August. Will Stone, who arrived with a background as Texas kickoff specialist, is in the mix alongside redshirt freshman Noah McGough, and both bring the kind of leg strength that can get a staffs attention even if neither has long run as a college starter.
Stones case is particularly intriguing because this is his final season, and he has made it clear he wants a chance to prove he can handle more than kickoffs. For a program looking to settle one of the most pressure-filled spots on the field, the decision is less about hype than trust, and UCF will keep watching who handles the routine kicks, the pressure reps and the little things that usually decide a season-long answer. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Added Secondary Depth That Could Matter More Than Fans Think
UCF kept adding to its defensive backfield with the addition of Jailen Duffie, a North Dakota State transfer who brings a rare blend of secondary help and kicking versatility for the 2026 season. Duffie arrived with some real pedigree, too, after earning All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second-team honors in 2025, which gives the Knights a depth piece who has already proven himself at a respected FCS program.
For now, the expectation is that Duffie fills a backup role, but the more interesting part of the fit may be what comes next. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has made clear he wants a defense built so multiple players can contribute at a high level, and that kind of structure often rewards players who are ready when their number is called. Duffie could be one of those names in 2027 if his development continues on schedule. [Read more 🡒]