When UCF wrapped up its season with a tough loss to No. 11 BYU, the Knights also watched two key pieces of their backfield walk away. Running backs Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon have left the program, opening the door for true freshman Agyeman Addae - and if Saturday was any indication, he’s ready to step through it.
Addae saw his most meaningful action of the season in the finale, and he made every snap count. Against a top-tier defense, the freshman flashed the kind of versatility that makes coaches take notice.
He scored twice - once on a 20-yard reception up the left sideline and again on a creative four-yard trick play where he threw a touchdown pass to quarterback Tayven Jackson. Yes, you read that right - the running back threw the touchdown.
It was a breakout performance from a player who had mostly flown under the radar this season, logging limited touches while learning behind Montgomery and Nixon. But those two veterans didn’t just block his path - they helped pave it.
“Learn from Miles and Jay Nix, like those are my older brothers,” Addae said after the game. “There are definitely things that I will take that I’ve learned from both of them and carry on into my future.”
That future is looking brighter by the week. Addae’s journey to UCF wasn’t the typical highly recruited, star-studded path.
Coming out of Columbus High School in Miami, he was an unranked prospect with just four offers - and UCF wasn’t one of them, at least not initially. But Addae believed in the program, enrolled as a walk-on, and earned his way onto the field the hard way.
In high school, he was a workhorse - 1,637 rushing yards on 321 carries, 25 catches for 155 yards, and 13 total touchdowns. Those numbers weren’t enough to draw widespread national attention, but they were a sign of what he could become with the right opportunity. UCF gave him that chance, and he’s been making the most of it.
This season, Addae has logged 50 rushing yards on 12 carries and added 70 receiving yards on seven catches. Modest numbers on paper, but the film tells a different story. His balance, vision, and ability to contribute in multiple ways - as a runner, receiver, and even passer - have earned the trust of the coaching staff.
“It means everything to be a contributor,” Addae said. “To be able to go out there and help the team and do what I can, it’s everything. They showed love, nothing but love… They gave me an opportunity, and shoot, I took it.”
It’s that mentality - humble, hungry, and team-first - that fits perfectly with the culture Coach Scott Frost is trying to build in Orlando. With Montgomery and Nixon gone, the backfield is wide open heading into next season, and Addae has positioned himself as a frontrunner to take the reins.
The Knights will likely enter 2026 with an underclassmen-heavy running back room, unless a veteran transfer joins the mix. That puts Addae in a unique spot - still young, but already a leader by example.
He’s got big shoes to fill, but he’s been learning from the best. And now, he’s ready to carry that torch.
Addae’s rise is more than just a feel-good story. It’s a glimpse into the kind of program UCF is becoming - one that rewards hard work, values versatility, and isn’t afraid to bet on a player who just wants a shot.
Addae got his. Now he’s making it count.