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UCF long snapper Alex Ward was sitting down in his living room checking email on his phone when a new message arrived. The sixth-year UCF long snapper had received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. "It came through very nonchalant," Ward said. "It's just some guy's name and NFL beside it. I'm like, "What is this?" I open it up and the first thing I see is the Combine logo, "We're excited to extend an invite to the Combine. I jumped up, my phone went flying and I ran to the front door, ran back to the living room, I'm jumping up and called my Dad," he recalled. "It was great." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#1 LS) rSr/2023

LS Alex Ward, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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01/07/23 - Trent Whittemore, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 6-4, 211 (DS#180 WR) + More +

Things are looking up at UCF, on the roster and on the coaching staff. Former Florida wide receiver Trent Whittemore is staying in-state and is transferring to UCF, he announced via social media Saturday morning. Dan Mullen originally brought the Florida native to Gainesville, but struggled to find his footing under the leadership of new head coach Billy Napier, only having four receptions for 87 yards in 2022. Whittemore saw more success when Mullen was in charge, having 29 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

New UCF offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw signed a two-year deal that pays him $600,000 annually, according to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. Additionally, new UCF defensive coordinator Addison Williams, who was promoted from assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, signed a two-year contract that included a $450,000 annual raise in pay, documents show. Williams originally signed a two-year deal that paid him $250,000 per year when he was hired by UCF coach Gus Malzahn in February 2021 but now he'll make $700,000 as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. - Orlando Sun Sentinel

(DS#180 WR) rSr/2025

WR Trent Whittemore, Central Florida
News Source: Sun Sentinel
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01/07/23 - KJ Jefferson, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 6-3, 247 (DS#999 QB) + More +

The Razorbacks are coming off a season in which the offense showed incredible balance, with 3,077 rushing yards and 3,051 passing yards en route to the No. 16 rank in total offense in the FBS with 471.4 total yards per game. Arkansas produced 6,128 total yards, the second-highest figure in school history behind 6,273 yards in 2010. Jefferson, who announced in December he is returning for his senior season, is eighth in the country in passer efficiency. Jefferson's 68% completions in 2022 is the second-highest single-season mark at Arkansas behind Feleipe Franks' school record of 68.5% set in 2020 in Briles' first season as offensive coordinator. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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01/01/23 - Jason Johnson, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-1, 228 (DS#26 ILB) + More +

New UCF defensive coordinator Addison Williams will have two of the Knights' top defenders back for the program's inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference. Senior linebacker Jason Johnson and redshirt junior defensive tackle Ricky Barber Jr. announced their intentions to return for the 2023 season on social media Saturday. Johnson is taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility granted to athletes from the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Barber could return for the ‘24 season as well if he wants to do the same.

Johnson led the Knights with 126 total tackles - the 8th most for a single season in program history and more than double the next tackler. He added a sack and a forced fumble. Barber recorded a team-high 12 quarterback hurries and finished second on the team in both sacks (3) and tackles for loss (9) to go with 4 pass breakups. He totaled 54 tackles. - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#26 ILB) rSr/2024

ILB Jason Johnson, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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12/28/22 - KJ Jefferson, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 6-3, 247 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Arkansas and Kansas met for the first time in 116 years, and the Razorbacks used an old-school rushing attack to prevail. Arkansas gained 394 of its 681 total yards on the ground. Dubinion added 112 yards for the Razorbacks. Kansas (6-7) played in its first bowl game since 2008 but was unable to stop a late-season streak in which it lost seven of its past eight games. Kansas quarterback Daniels passed for 544 yards and five touchdowns. He set Liberty Bowl records for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions (37) and total touchdowns scored (six). KJ Jefferson passed to Rashod Dubinion for a 2-point conversion in the third overtime and Arkansas held off a furious second-half rally by Kansas for a 55-53 win at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Wednesday night.

The Jayhawks rallied from 25 points down in the second half to force overtime, but a failed 2-point conversion pass from Jason Bean to Lawrence Arnold ended a four-and-a-half hour bowl marathon. "We got lucky at the end, but we're Liberty Bowl champs and I'm pretty excited," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. It looked like Bean had room to run instead of throwing it out of the end zone, and Pittman said his team was ready for either. "I told them to go after him. I wanted to go after him," Pittman said. "We weren't being able to man them up. I wanted to go put some pressure on them. We got lucky there at the end. We're Liberty Bowl champs. I'm just excited as I could be." Arkansas (7-6) celebrated the win prematurely in the second overtime after stopping Kanas quarterback Jalon Daniels just shy of the goal line on a 2-point conversion try. But a targeting call on Arkansas' Quincey McAdoo gave the Jayhawks another play, and they converted. Jefferson passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 130 yards and two more scores to lead the Razorbacks, who won despite missing many players who had critical roles during the season. - Arkansas/AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Arkansas/AP College Football
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12/28/22 - Jason Johnson, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-1, 228 (DS#26 ILB) + More +

UCF linebacker Jason Johnson has a significant decision to make. The senior who started every game for the Knights could return for his final year of eligibility when UCF plays its inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference in 2023. "I have an extra year but I [have] not decided yet what I'm going to do," Johnson said. The Eastern Illinois transfer has served as an integral part of UCF's defense this season. Earning first-team All-AAC honors, Johnson (114) finished second in the conference and led the Knights in total tackles.

Making the jump from FCS to FBS didn't seem to be a challenge for Johnson, who boasts more than twice as many tackles as any other UCF player. "It's been a great year," he said. "I did what I thought I was going to do. A lot of people thought I wouldn't do it but I did. For the people who believed in me, I appreciate them." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#26 ILB) rSr/2024

ILB Jason Johnson, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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12/26/22 - John Rhys Plumlee, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-0, 203 (DS#17 QB) + More +

When John Rhys Plumlee transferred to UCF earlier this year, he made it clear he wanted to continue to play baseball and football like he did at Ole Miss. Although he was able to practice with the baseball team, Plumlee was denied a waiver to play baseball last season. Instead, he went through spring football with Gus Malzahn and the Knights football program. After earning the starting quarterback job in the preseason and leading UCF to a spot in the AAC championship, Plumlee recently announced he's returning for his final year of eligibility to guide the Knights in their first season in the Big 12 Conference.

Before then, however, he's aims to return to the baseball diamond and play this time. "Getting to play baseball, I'm excited about it but definitely pumped up about the upcoming football season as well," he said. A dual-threat quarterback, Plumlee led the Knights with 2,404 passing yards and 841 rushing yards. He scored 25 total touchdowns (14 pass, 11 rush) while completing 63% of his passes and averaging 5.8 yards per rush. He battled multiple injuries throughout the season, including with his hamstring down the stretch. Plumlee sat out after halftime in the regular-season finale against USF after running for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#17 QB) rSr/2024

QB John Rhys Plumlee, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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12/22/22 - Daylan Dotson, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 6-1, 256 (DS#71 DE) + More +

2022 ALL-OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM: DE - Daylan Dotson, UT Martin,...Dotson had a breakout season en route to earning All-OVC first team honors. He was ferocious in the backfield after tallying 48 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He also notched 15 quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. The Savannah, Ga. native ranked ninth nationally in sacks (9.5) and 14th in tackles for loss (14.5). He was named FCS National Defensive Player of the Week after tallying 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, two force fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries in a road win at Houston Christian. The defensive end also recorded a career-high 14 tackles against Kennesaw State while notching another standout performance with a career-best 3.0 tackles for loss against Eastern Illinois in the season finale. - Tennessee-Martin Football

(DS#71 DE) rSr/2025

DE Daylan Dotson, Central Florida
News Source: Tennessee-Martin Football
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12/20/22 - Noe Ruelas, rSr/2026, Central Florida, 6-1, 197 (DS#38 K) + More +

2022 PHIL STEEL ALL-INDEPENDENT CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM: K Noe Ruelas, Connecticut,...Sophomore kicker Noe Ruelas was thrust into the starting role during summer camp when returning starter Joe McFadden suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. McFadden was the Huskies leading point producer in 2021, hitting on 12 of 17 field goals and all 19 of his extra point attempts. Ruelas saw his first action in 2022 and held down the place kicking duties all season, making 12 of 15 field goals. Ruelas is the Huskies leading point producer with 62 points through 12 games.

He kicked the first field goals of his career, hitting a pair in the 4th quarter (47yd, 54yd) in the loss at Utah State. Ruelas's 54 yarder was the first 50-plus yard field goal at UConn since Michael Tarbutt hit from 50-yards at Tulsa in 2018. Ruelas now owns the second longest field goal in UConn school history, with his 54-yarder coming in behind school record holder Jim McManus who hit a 56-yard field goal against New Hampshire in 1998. It is the longest field goal in UConn's FBS history (2002-present). - Connecticut Football

(DS#38 K) rSr/2026

K Noe Ruelas, Central Florida
News Source: Connecticut Football
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12/20/22 - Decorian Patterson, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-0, 187 (DS#65 CB) + More +

2022 ALL-CONFERENCE USA HONORABLE MENTION: DB: Decorian Patterson, Middle Tennessee,...The following players earned Honorable Mention recognition: QB Chase Cunningham (became just second player in school history to record multiple 400-yard passing games), RB Frank Peasant (led team in rushing and touchdowns scored), WR Jaylin Lane (led team in receiving), TE Izaiah Gathings (led all C-USA tight ends with 53 receptions), OL Jordan Palmer (three-time lineman of the week), DE Zaylin Wood (National Defensive Player of the Week), DT Marley Cook (career year with 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks), CB Decorian Patterson (led nation with six interceptions), CB Tra Fluellen (led team with 97 tackles), PK Zeke Rankin (made 12 of 14 field goals, and KR Jaylin Lane (averaged 23.1 yards a return). - Middle Tennessee Football

(DS#65 CB) rSr/2024

CB Decorian Patterson, Central Florida
News Source: Middle Tennessee Football
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12/20/22 - Shaun Peterson Jr., rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-3, 236 (DS#52 OLB) + More +

2022 ALL-CONFERENCE USA HONORABLE MENTION: LB: Shaun Peterson Jr., FIU,...Peterson Jr. enjoyed a breakout season after shifting from running back during spring drills - he tabbed a season-high three sacks in the Panthers' win at Charlotte on Oct. 22 - it tied for the fourth-best single game total by an FIU player and the best individual performance since 2015. His six overall sacks are tied for the 10th-highest single-season total in FIU annals. Peterson Jr. finished the season with 28 total tackles, including 8.0 TFLs (-45), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries - both of which came off strip sacks. - Florida International Football

(DS#52 OLB) rSr/2024

OLB Shaun Peterson Jr., Central Florida
News Source: Florida International Football
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12/19/22 - Corey Gammage, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-2, 212 (DS#999 WR) + More +

2022 ALL-SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: WR - Corey Gammage (RS Jr., WR - Delray Beach, Fla.),...Four additional Marshall players earned All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention honors. Wide receiver Corey Gammage, lineman Koby Cumberlander, linebacker Eli Neal, and defensive back Andre Sam each received recognition. - Marshall Football

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2024

WR Corey Gammage, Central Florida
News Source: Marshall Football
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12/18/22 - Lokahi Pauole, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-3, 301 (DS#69 OG) + More +

Like quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and tight end Alec Holler, UCF offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole will be back for the Knights' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference next year. Pauole, who has started every game the last two seasons at guard, is using an extra year of eligibility granted to athletes by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "After being home for some time, I've had countless conversations with God and my family discussing my future," Pauole wrote on social media. "As a native Hawaiian, I have a kuleana (responsibility) to be loyal and to have the backs of those that have mine. Respecting the program that helped me grow roots outside the islands I call home. "That being said, I am a Knight," he added. "I will forever be bleed black and gold. We're not going anywhere."

The return of Pauole is major for UCF's offensive line. He'll provide stability and leadership up front as experienced linemen Sam Jackson and Ryan Swoboda have exhausted their eligibility. Pauole has earned some type of all-conference honor from the AAC's coaches three seasons in a row - first-team this year, second-team last season and an honorable mention in 2020. This season, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman helped UCF rush for 200 or more yards in nine of its 12 games. - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#69 OG) rSr/2024

OG Lokahi Pauole, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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12/16/22 - Samuel Jackson, rSr/2023, Central Florida, 6-5, 323 (DS#48 OG) + More +

2022 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM: OG Sam Jackson, UCF, Gr.,...Sam Jackson, Matt Lee, Lokahi Pauole and Ryan Swoboda are members of a stellar UCF offensive line that has the Knights ranked ninth nationally and leading the AAC in total offense, averaging 486.5 yards per game. Additionally, the group has paved the way for UCF to rush for 200 or more yards in nine of its 12 games this season. All four have started every game, as UCF has had the same starting offensive line group in each contest. - UCF Football

(DS#48 OG) rSr/2023

OG Samuel Jackson, Central Florida
News Source: UCF Football
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12/16/22 - Isaiah Bowser, rSr/2023, Central Florida, 6-0, 217 (DS#31 RB) + More +

2022 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM: RB Isaiah Bowser, UCF, Gr.,...Bowser is second in the conference and 18th nationally in rushing touchdowns with 13, which is tied for the sixth most in a single season in program history. He would tie UCF Hall of Famer Latavius Murray for the second most in a season with two more rushing touchdowns. The Sidney, Ohio, native has rushed for 675 yards this season. - UCF Football

(DS#31 RB) rSr/2023

RB Isaiah Bowser, Central Florida
News Source: UCF Football
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