Andrew Rumph Enters Transfer Portal After Limited Run at UCF - Power Five Potential Still Intact
UCF’s defensive line was a force this past season - no question about it. With Malachi Lawrence earning All-Big 12 First Team honors and Nyjalik Kelly snagging an Honorable Mention, the Knights’ front four consistently brought pressure, combining for ten sacks and anchoring one of the most disruptive units in the conference.
But when a group is that deep and that productive, it can be tough for younger talent to break through. That’s where Andrew Rumph’s story comes into focus.
Rumph, a redshirt sophomore and former 3-star recruit out of Palmetto, Florida, officially entered the transfer portal after seeing limited action during his time in Orlando. He appeared in just three games across three seasons, buried behind a stacked rotation that helped UCF earn the sixth-best defensive line grade in the Big 12, per PFSN.
At 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, Rumph brings the kind of frame that turns heads. He’s not just big - he moves well for his size, flashing the raw tools that made him a coveted prospect coming out of high school. Back then, he chose UCF over offers from programs like Colorado and Indiana, betting on himself in a competitive room.
Now, he’s betting on himself again.
Rumph took to Instagram to share a simple but telling message: "Turtle race continue," followed by a smiling emoji and a checkered flag. It’s a nod to the long game - a reminder that development doesn’t always follow a straight line, especially when you’re competing against some of the top talent in your conference.
And here’s the thing: Rumph still has three years of eligibility left. That’s a lot of time for growth, and plenty of runway for a Power Five program in need of size and upside on the interior to take a shot. He may not have had the reps at UCF, but the tools are there - and in the right system, with the right coaching staff, he could become a real problem for opposing offenses.
In today’s transfer portal era, players like Rumph are exactly the kind of low-risk, high-ceiling additions that smart programs look for. He’s got the frame, the pedigree, and the hunger to prove he belongs. Now it’s just a matter of finding the right fit.
Keep an eye on where he lands - because while he may have been quiet in Orlando, his next stop could be where the volume turns up.