UCF Targets Division II Standout Josh Hough to Reinforce Defensive Line
As UCF looks to reload after a wave of transfer portal departures, the Knights may have found a key piece to their defensive puzzle in Josh Hough - a 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive lineman from Division II California University (PA). Hough, who’s coming off a breakout season, is scheduled to visit UCF as the program works to replenish a defensive front that’s been hit hard in recent weeks.
Hough entered the transfer portal on December 2 with one year of eligibility remaining. He’s already lined up visits to Memphis, Cincinnati, and UCF, and his potential arrival in Orlando could be a timely boost for head coach Scott Frost, who’s seen four defensive linemen - John Walker, Derrick LeBlanc, Andrew Rumph, and Rodney Lora - exit the program.
Let’s be clear: Hough isn’t just a body to plug a hole. He’s a rapidly developing talent whose production speaks volumes.
In 13 games this past season, he racked up 58 total tackles (24 solo), 11 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery - eye-popping numbers for a player who’s only been playing on the defensive line for three seasons. His size, motor, and upward trajectory make him one of the more intriguing portal prospects at the position.
Frost knows what’s at stake. UCF is trying to turn a corner - not just to compete, but to win consistently. And the transfer portal is now one of the most important tools in that process.
“Every time you get to this stage in the year, you're excited to reset and rebuild,” Frost said. “We’ve got to do a great job of evaluation.
We’ve got to do a great job of selling UCF. We made strides this year, but we need to get over the hump - be a winning program.
We certainly need some additions to make that happen.”
Hough fits the mold of the kind of player who can help make that leap. He brings experience, production, and a hunger that comes from having to reinvent himself. Originally a three-star running back out of Beaver Falls High School in Pennsylvania, Hough committed to Syracuse in 2021 after piling up 4,378 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in his senior year alone.
But after suffering a season-ending injury with the Orange, Hough’s football journey took a sharp turn. He missed two seasons and eventually transitioned to the defensive line - a bold move that’s paid off in a big way.
His tackle totals have climbed each year: 9 in 2023, 18 in 2024, and now 58 in 2025. That kind of year-over-year growth is exactly what coaches look for in a developmental player who’s still scratching the surface of his potential.
For UCF, landing Hough wouldn’t just plug a gap - it would send a message. This is a program that’s not just reacting to portal losses but actively reshaping its roster with players who can lead. Even with just one year of eligibility, Hough could make a lasting impact, both on the field and in the locker room.
In a portal era where experience and upside are at a premium, Hough checks both boxes. And for a UCF defense that needs reinforcements up front, he could be a game-changer.