The UCF pipeline showed up in a big way Friday night, and it came with points, pressure, and a little bit of everything in between.
In Green Bay’s preseason matchup with Denver, three former Knights delivered the kind of snaps that get noticed fast: Broncos running back RJ Harvey, Packers running back Jaden Nixon, and Packers defensive end Nyjalik Kelly.
Harvey got the first big moment. In the opening quarter, Bo Nix found him for a 21-yard receiving touchdown after Harvey slipped past a linebacker on a wheel route. Nix dropped the pass right into his tailback’s chest, and Harvey finished the play in the end zone.
That kind of versatility is nothing new for Harvey. He’s heading into his second season with Denver after a breakout rookie year, and the Broncos leaned on him hard once J.K.
Dobbins went down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 10. The 60th overall pick stepped in as the lead back and helped Denver win the AFC West, finishing with 326 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 96 carries, plus 181 receiving yards and one touchdown on 22 catches.
Green Bay answered with its own UCF product later in the game. Nixon powered through for a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, stretching the Packers’ lead to 17 points at 30-13.
It was his first preseason action, and he made it count, finishing with 20 rushing yards on four carries. Pierre Strong Jr. led the Packers on the ground with 37 yards on eight carries, but Nixon came in second.
For Nixon, this was another chance to show the traits that helped him stand out at UCF. He was part of a productive backfield tandem with Myles Montgomery last season, and the two combined for more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nixon went undrafted before signing with Green Bay, and while the Packers have plenty of depth at running back, he can still carve out a role on special teams - something he already did with the Knights in his final season.
Kelly made his mark on the other side of the ball. The Packers defensive end collected a sack and accounted for half of Green Bay’s total in the game, with defensive tackle Anthony Campbell getting the other. It was Kelly’s lone sack of the night, but it was the kind of flash that can matter for an undrafted player trying to keep climbing.
Like Nixon, Kelly signed with Green Bay after going undrafted. He impressed the Packers’ coaches and front office during the offseason, then landed a contract worth over $250,000. At UCF, he formed a productive edge duo with Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence, and his senior season included 46 tackles, three passes defended, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Harvey already looks settled into a rotational role in Denver. For Nixon and Kelly, preseason games like this are the window - the rare chance to turn a few snaps into a real argument for more.
In Other News...
UCF Fans Have Every Reason To Watch RJ Harvey In Denver
RJ Harvey has wasted little time making his presence felt in Denver, giving UCF fans plenty of reasons to keep one eye on the Broncos this fall. The rookie running back has become a meaningful part of Sean Paytons offense, working as a versatile option who can line up in different spots and contribute as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. Denver has clearly found ways to lean on his skill set, and Bo Nix has been open about how much Harvey brings with his hands and his feel for the game.
What makes Harvey especially interesting is the way he has already shown up in the biggest moments. He has turned into a player Denver trusts in pressure situations, and that kind of role tends to stick when a coach values intelligence and adaptability as much as raw production. For UCF followers, it is a reminder that Harvey is not just filling a roster spot in the NFL, he is becoming part of the Broncos late-game plans in a way that could keep paying off. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Fans Just Got An Early Look At A Defining Schedule
UCFs mens basketball program has given fans an early glimpse at what could shape up to be a defining stretch in the 2026 season, unveiling a non-conference schedule that mixes home dates with a few attention-getting road trips. The slate also includes a Thanksgiving tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports, adding a familiar local showcase to a schedule that already has a distinctly regional feel, with three Florida opponents on the docket.
There is still plenty to sort through before the full picture comes into focus, especially with the Big 12 waiting after non-conference play in an 18-game league grind. For now, the Knights are putting the pieces in place for a season that should give fans plenty to follow early, and season tickets for the upcoming year are already on sale as the program builds toward that next chapter. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Wade Is Chasing A Bigger UCF Role Than Stats Alone
UCFs tight end room spent the offseason trying to become harder to deal with at the point of attack, and coach Cooper Bassett said the group has come back with better physicality and cleaner blocking technique after the strength work. That matters most for Dylan Wade, the senior who already owns the programs receiving records but is still searching for the kind of complete game that keeps him on NFL radars and expands what he can do for the Knights this fall.
Wades pass-catching resume is already written, but the next layer of his value comes from how well he handles the less glamorous parts of the position. UCF is also sorting through other options at tight end, including Caden Piening, who profiles more as a complement than a direct challenger to Wade, which puts even more attention on whether Wade can turn his blocking into a real separator rather than just a checkbox. [Read more 🡒]