UCF’s Phillip Dunnam and Myles Montgomery are heading to the 2026 Hula Bowl - and they’re not just looking to enjoy the Hawaiian sunshine. They’re suiting up for one more chance to show NFL scouts exactly what they bring to the table.
For Dunnam, this moment is the culmination of a breakout year that doubled as his only season with the Knights. The former FAU defensive back transferred to UCF with something to prove, and he delivered. Sixty tackles - 40 of them solo - three interceptions, two pass breakups, five deflections, and one pick-six later, he’s heading into the draft with momentum.
What stands out most? The tackling.
That’s been the question mark for Dunnam throughout his college career. His range, instincts, and ball-hawking ability have always been evident on tape, but physicality and consistency in the open field weren’t always there.
This season, though, he flipped the narrative.
“I got range, I’m lengthy, a ball hawk,” Dunnam said. “I mean, I’m a great safety. So, the only thing I needed to fix was my tackling.”
And he did just that. His improved fundamentals and willingness to mix it up in run support helped round out his game - and likely turned some heads at the next level.
On the other side of the ball, Montgomery was the engine of UCF’s backfield. The 5-foot-11 running back carried the ball 143 times for 705 yards and four touchdowns, adding another 182 yards through the air on 17 catches. That kind of dual-threat production is exactly what scouts want to see in today’s game.
What really popped were his back-to-back 100-yard performances against Kansas State and Kansas. Those weren’t just stat-padding games; they were against physical Big 12 defenses, and Montgomery showed he could carry the load when it mattered.
After transferring from Cincinnati, Montgomery quickly earned a reputation as a dependable, hard-nosed runner - the kind of guy teammates trust and coaches lean on.
“Hopefully by now when people say my name, just say, ‘Hey, Myles, that was a guy you can count on in anything,’” Montgomery said. “I feel like my legacy here is good. The season didn’t go as I wanted, but at the end of the day, we had a good team this year.”
Now, both Dunnam and Montgomery are heading to the Hula Bowl - one of the final showcases before the NFL Draft process kicks into high gear. It’s a chance to compete alongside other top seniors and get coached up by NFL minds like Jay Gruden (Team Aina) and Jon Gruden (Team Kai), who are set to lead the squads and prep these prospects for what’s next.
For UCF, this continues a growing tradition of sending talent to the Hula Bowl. Recent Knights to make the trip include John Rhys-Plumlee, Peny Boone, Kobe Hudson, Decorian Patterson, Jason Johnson, Ricky Barber, Gage King, Tre’Mon Morrish Brash, Amari Kight, and Lokahi Pauole - a group that’s spoken highly of the experience, both as a final college hurrah and a valuable step toward the pros.
Dunnam and Montgomery join running back Jaden Nixon as the latest Knights to accept their Hula Bowl invites. All three will head to Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand on January 10, looking to leave one final impression on NFL scouts and decision-makers.
For these two, the Hula Bowl isn’t just another game - it’s the next chapter in a football journey that’s far from finished.