Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk included in Bednarik watch list
Auburn EDGE rusher Keldric Faulk was one of 90 players named to the 2025 Bednarik Award Watch List this week, and one of 23 players from the SEC to earn preseason recognition. The Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football, with former Colorado iron man Travis Hunter winning the award last season.
Faulk has appeared in every game of his two-year Auburn career, but made a name for himself last season. The junior from Highland Home logged 45 tackles with seven sacks and a fumble recovery last season, and has recorded 80 total tackles in his career.
Faulk is Auburn's top returning defender according to Pro Football Focus data after building an 83.8 overall defensive grade, trailing only fellow pass rusher Jalen McLeod for the top spot. He created a team-leading 45 tackles and 32 quarterback hurries last season, and missed just four tackles in 591 total snaps. Faulk is also considered one of the top draft prospects ahead of next year's NFL draft. According to NFL draft buzz, Faulk is the No. 2 EDGE prospect and the No. 7 overall prospect. Due to his high ratings, he is expected to be a top-10 pick in next year's draft.
The Bednarik Award will announce its semifinalists on Nov. 11, and the winner will be crowned on Dec. 11 as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
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41 minutes ago
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Ex-UCF Knights football RB RJ Harvey agrees to deal with Denver Broncos before training camp
RJ Harvey is official. Nearly three months after the Denver Broncos made the former UCF running back a second-round NFL draft pick, the two sides agreed on a four-year contract on July 17. Harvey is set to earn $7.36 million over the length of the contract. His signing bonus amounts to $1.99 million. The move comes just one day after the organization struck a deal with first-round cornerback Jahdae Barron. All of the Broncos' rookies have now signed with the team. The first-year players reported to training camp on July 16, with veterans to follow on July 22. Denver chose Harvey 60th overall in April. He became the 51st UCF player ever drafted, which was no surprise. Harvey was the first Knights running back in nearly three decades to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The 24-year-old Edgewater native left Orlando as the program's all-time leader in touchdowns and second all-time leading rusher. In 2024, Harvey turned 232 carries into 1,577 yards and 22 scores. The 5-foot-8, 205-pounder ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February. He enters camp with a chance to win the Broncos' starting running back job, battling the likes of J.K. Dobbins, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: RJ Harvey contract: Former UCF RB agrees to deal with Denver Broncos
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
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Which former UCF football players are on NFL rosters as 2025 training camp begins?
UCF takes the field July 28 to prepare for the upcoming football season, but nearly two-dozen former Knights get a head start this week as NFL training camps open. That includes six rookies who were in Orlando this time a year ago, headlined by second-round running back RJ Harvey. A handful of vets who played for Scott Frost during his first UCF head coaching tenure are still holding onto roster spots across the league. Let's forecast how things shape up for UCF's products in the pros. Of note, this list includes all rostered rookies and veterans who appeared in at least one NFL regular-season game in 2024. However, it excludes former Knights who finished their college careers elsewhere, such as 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune (Florida State), Bengals center Matt Lee (Miami) and, perhaps most notably, Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (Oregon). BJ Adams, Miami Dolphins After going undrafted, four-year starting cornerback Adams (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) became a priority free agent target of the Miami Dolphins. According to Spotrac, he received $170,000 in guaranteed money — including a $20,000 signing bonus. Adams snagged two interceptions in his final year at UCF, taking one 63 yards to the house before halftime of a heartbreaking road loss at Iowa State. He finished the year with a 69.5 coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus, and added 14 tackles (10 solo). Miami traded seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with tight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick, for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a fifth-rounder in '27. Storm Duck, Artie Burns and fellow rookie Jason Marshall Jr. are among those expected to contend for the vacant spots. Jordan Akins, free agent A minor-league baseball player prior to his UCF football tenure, Akins has carved out a respectable seven-year NFL career — suiting up for the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns. In 2024, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end tallied 40 receptions for 390 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Akins, now 33, is a free agent as training camps open. He completed a two-year, $3.9 million deal with Cleveland in March. Javon Baker, New England Patriots Baker endured a difficult rookie season in New England, sitting as a healthy scratch six times and recording just one catch for 12 yards. Mike Vrabel replaced Jerod Mayo as head coach, but the former fourth-round pick will likely start camp on the roster bubble. The Patriots added Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and third-round pick Kyle Williams in the offseason. Slot receiver DeMario Douglas tied for the team lead with 66 catches and three touchdowns a year ago, the same number of scores Kayshon Boutte reeled in, and Kendrick Bourne has plenty of familiarity with returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Baker will need to impress the new staff to stick, and the same can be said of Ja'Lynn Polk — New England's 2024 second-round choice out of Washington. Ricky Barber, Washington Commanders Barber (6-3, 295) played 47 of his 63 career games for UCF after transferring from Western Kentucky in 2021. He tallied six TFLs and 2½ sacks in his final college campaign. Picked up as a UDFA, he will look to stick with the Washington Commanders amid a veteran-heavy group of defensive tackles anchored by Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw. Gabe Davis, free agent Davis' return to the Sunshine State ended after a solitary season in Jacksonville. The Jaguars cut Davis on May 7, 14 months after handing him a three-year, $40 million contract. Starting nine of the 10 games in which he played, Davis (6-2, 225) had career-lows in receptions (20), yards (239) and touchdowns (two). The previous four seasons, all spent in Buffalo, he averaged 41 catches, 683 yards and seven scores. Still just 26, Davis has been linked to a number of teams in various reports — including the Bills, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs — but he has yet to find a home. Kalia Davis, San Francisco 49ers Davis (6-2, 310) redshirted his rookie season (2022) due to an ACL tear, and he has since played in 16 of a possible 34 games. He tallied a career-high 12 tackles last year, and he tipped and picked off Patrick Mahomes in a home game versus Kansas City for his first interception. This is the final year of Davis' rookie contract, meaning he could become a salary-cap casualty by the end of training camp. The 49ers would save $1.1 million, according to Spotrac, if they cut the former sixth-round pick. Tylan Grable, Buffalo Bills Grable (6-5, 309) saw his first extensive action for the Buffalo Bills in their 2024 regular-season finale, playing 67 snaps at left tackle. The 2024 sixth-round pick is likely to return in a reserve role behind incumbent starter Dion Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler, while Spencer Brown mans the right side of the line. Richie Grant, San Francisco 49ers Grant signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers after a four-year run with the Atlanta Falcons, in which he topped the 100-tackle threshold twice. The 6-foot, 200-pound safety lost his starting spot under Raheem Morris, limited to just 165 defensive snaps. Grant will hope a fresh start in the Bay Area will rejuvenate his career. The 49ers lost Talanoa Hufanga to Denver in free agency, added Jason Pinnock from the New York Giants and could be without Malik Mustapha (knee) and Ji'Ayir Brown (knee) for the start of camp. Shaquill Griffin, Seattle Seahawks Griffin (6-0, 198) returns to Seattle, where he spent his first four seasons and made his lone trip to the Pro Bowl (2019), on a one-year, $3 million deal. Six of Griffin's nine career interceptions occurred during his previous stint with the Seahawks. Last season, with the Minnesota Vikings, Griffin played all 17 games — making three starts — and compiled 41 tackles with a pair of picks. His PFF coverage grade (61.6) ranked in the middle of the road as far as cornerbacks are concerned, 63rd of 116 qualified players at the position. Seattle has a strong starting tandem in Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen, but Griffin should play an important depth role for a team hoping to return to the postseason after a two-year absence. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos Chosen with the 60th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Harvey — UCF's all-time leader in touchdowns — is expected to play a significant role as a rookie for the Denver Broncos. The 5-foot-8, 205-pound running back signed his four-year, $7.36 million contract on July 17, and BetMGM lists him as a +2200 pick for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. J.K. Dobbins is the presumed starter in the Broncos' backfield after rushing for a career-high 905 yards and scoring nine touchdowns for the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. However, he has suited up for just 37 of a possible 84 games since entering the league five years ago. Trysten Hill, free agent Chosen 58th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2019 NFL Draft, Hill (6-3, 310) has bounced around a bit over the last three years. He's spent time in Cleveland, Arizona, New England and Indianapolis. Hill appeared in two games for the Patriots last fall but did not record any statistics. The Colts released him from the practice squad injured list Dec. 30, and he has not resurfaced on a roster since. Kobe Hudson, Carolina Panthers Dan Morgan has rebuilt the Carolina Panthers' receiving corps since taking over as general manager, investing a first-round pick on Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan in April. Adam Thielen, Xavier Leggette and Jalen Coker each surpassed 400 yards in 2024, Hunter Renfrow came out of retirement to join the squad and Sanford native Jimmy Horn Jr. was taken in the sixth round. Hudson signed as an undrafted free agent after leading UCF in all major receiving categories, hauling in 47 catches for 770 yards and four touchdowns. He showcased his skills at the Hula Bowl, the Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL scouting combine in the pre-draft process. Per Spotrac, Hudson landed $254,000 in guaranteed money on his deal, giving him decent odds to stick in Carolina — either on the active roster or the practice squad. Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons A key figure on UCF's undefeated 2017 squad, Hughes (5-10, 191) enjoyed his most successful season last year, his seventh in the league. He set career-highs in starts (15), tackles (66) and TFLs (four), and he finished inside the top-30 in PFF's cornerback coverage metrics. The Atlanta Falcons rewarded Hughes with a three-year contract extension worth $18 million. He will man the boundary opposite AJ Terrell as the Falcons attempt to knock the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off their perch as four-time defending NFC South champions. Charley Hughlett, Philadelphia Eagles Hughlett's 10-year run as the Cleveland Browns' long snapper ended in February. He suffered a rib injury in the 2024 preseason, reaggravated it in a game against Washington and spent the final three months on injured reserve. Hughlett finished his Browns career ranked 15th in franchise history for games played (152). In March, Hughlett signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles worth $1.42 million. He will replace two-time Super Bowl champion and one-time Pro Bowl selection Rick Lovato. Samuel Jackson, New York Jets A late addition to this list, Jackson (6-6, 330) signed a contract July 23 with the New York Jets after competing in the spring for the UFL's Houston Roughnecks. Jackson made 45 starts for UCF and moved all around the offensive line during his six years with the program, earning All-American Athletic Conference second-team honors in 2022. He played right tackle and right guard for the Roughnecks, logging 576 snaps and producing a 71.9 grade in pass protection per Pro Football Focus. Brandon Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers made two major moves to its receiving corps in the offseason, acquiring DK Metcalf from Seattle and shipping George Pickens to Dallas in separate trades. Johnson, who caught 19 balls for 284 yards and four TDs for the Denver Broncos in 2023, played three times for Pittsburgh last year and could be in line for a larger role this upcoming campaign. He's got the support of his position coach, Zach Azzanni, who he played for at Tennessee (prior to Johnson's transfer to UCF) and with the Broncos. "I don't overlook him because this is the third place I've coached him," Azzanni told reporters last month. "I recruited him to Tennessee, I got him to Denver, he did the rest there. Helped get him here. Thank God they listened to me and brought him here, because he's a sneaky good player. I'm really excited about where he's at. He can help us. I'm able to coach him hard. He's our type of player." Jacoby Jones, Washington Commanders Jones (6-3, 228) emerged as a quality second option in the UCF passing game late last October, producing back-to-back games against BYU and Arizona with 100-plus receiving yards and a TD. The Washington Commanders signed Jones after the NFL draft for $50,000 guaranteed, per Spotrac. Terry McLaurin, assuming he resolves talks over a new contract, and Deebo Samuel comprise a formidable 1-2 receiving punch for rising star Jayden Daniels. Jones is one of three rookie wideouts listed on the Commanders' roster at the start of camp, so he will have his work cut out to secure a spot ahead of September. Amari Kight, Seattle Seahawks A stalwart at tackle for the Knights the past two seasons, Kight (6-6, 299) signed with the Seattle Seahawks following the 2025 NFL Draft. He received a $1,500 signing bonus, and could be a developmental option, either as a swing tackle or along the interior. Mac McWilliams, Philadelphia Eagles Joining Harvey as UCF's lone draft picks of the 2025 class, McWilliams joins the defending Super Bowl champions. The Pensacola native put pen to paper May 3 on a four-year deal worth just over $4.64 million. Graded as the Knights' top defender last year by PFF, McWilliams (5-10, 191) can line up on the boundary, in the slot and provide value on both the coverage and return units for special teams. He had 32 tackles (25 solo), 6½ TFLs, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his lone campaign at UCF, joining the previous spring from UAB via the transfer portal. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean had excellent rookie seasons in the Philly secondary, but perhaps McWilliams can push third-year cornerback Kelee Ringo for playing time. Tre'mon Morris-Brash, Los Angeles Chargers Morris-Brash snagged a pick-six from Trey Lance last preseason, and then stuck with the Chargers' practice squad as an undrafted rookie. He did not appear in any regular-season games. The former All-Big 12 first-team selection will look to stick among an edge-rusher group that includes Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree. John Rhys Plumlee, Seattle Seahawks A two-year starter at quarterback for UCF, Plumlee moved back to wide receiver — a position he played his final two seasons at Ole Miss — and bounced between three NFL franchises as a rookie. He suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason, joined the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad and signed with the Seattle Seahawks following a November release. Plumlee was promoted to Seattle's active roster for its Week 18 finale against the Los Angeles Rams, but he did not see the field. He faces quite a bit of competition to retain a roster spot; Seattle signed Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as free agents, and invested a fifth-round draft pick on Tory Horton. Matt Prater, free agent Prater (5-10, 201) underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee last October, an injury that limited him to four games. Set to turn 41 on Aug. 10, Prater is 15th all-time in scoring (1,808 points) in NFL history, adding 81 field goals of 50 yards or more. Assuming he's healthy, he could get another shot at one of the sport's most volatile positions. Prater's contract with the Arizona Cardinals expired in March, and he remains a free agent. Alex Ward, Los Angeles Rams Entrenched as the Los Angeles Rams' starting long snapper, Ward (6-4, 241) suited up for all 17 regular-season games and both postseason contests as well. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, set to earn $1.03 million, according to OverTheCap. Divaad Wilson, free agent A two-year starter at safety for UCF, Wilson (6-0, 195) posted identical stat lines in his first two NFL seasons — five total tackles, with four solo stops. He played five games in 2024, twice for the Arizona Cardinals and three times with the New York Giants. Wilson joined the Detroit Lions on June 2, but was released from the team's injured reserve list July 16 following a settlement. Matthew Wright, Carolina Panthers Appearing for six teams across five NFL seasons, Wright (5-11, 174) has been fairly reliable when called upon. He's made 87.3% of his field goal attempts, including a 7-for-11 success rate beyond 50 yards. During the 2024 season, in which he suited up for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans, Wright made 15 of 16 field goals and all six PAT attempts. Wright will compete with undrafted rookie Ryan Fitzgerald for the job in Carolina. The Panthers let Eddy Piñeiro, the NFL's third-most accurate kicker in history (88.1%), test the free agent market, and he is still unsigned. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football players in NFL training camp ahead of 2025 season
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
There's not much positive to look back on from the 2024 Patriots season, except these two Drake Maye highlights
Occasional carelessness with the football aside, Maye was everything Patriots fans could have hoped for after three seasons of gradually realizing Mac Jones was not the next Chad Pennington, but a born backup whose leadership skills were as uninspiring as his wet-noodle arm. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Sure, Maye was a little bit reckless (again: expected) and often, a lot of fun. His arm strength (particularly his touch on deep throws) and mobility (he ran for 421 yards, and is already ninth all-time in rushing among Patriots quarterbacks) suggest he could develop into The Franchise Quarterback. It didn't hurt that Maye has a natural, easy-going charisma, which stood in contrast to Jones's personality, which was about as compelling as an Eggo waffle without syrup. Advertisement When you try to summon positive memories from last season – and I think we agree a full NFL Films recap of the '24 Patriots would run roughly as long as a between-innings commercial break on a NESN Red Sox broadcast — two Maye highlights come to immediately to mind, the kind that make you say, 'Oh, this kid has got it.' Advertisement The first came in the Patriots' Week 9 loss to the Titans, Maye's fourth start, and I suspect you're already replaying this one in your mind. You know the circumstances and the beats, but let's reiterate anyway. With no time left on the clock, the ball on the Tennessee 5, and the Patriots trailing, 17-10, Maye dropped back, patted the ball, scanned the field, scanned some more, bounced left, rolled right, scanned, scanned, scrambled left, eluded one Titan hell-bent on ending the game right then and there, and just as he got crunched by two others, threw the ball across his body to Rhamondre Stevenson for a touchdown, forcing overtime. DRAKE MAYE MAGICCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!!! 📺: FOX — New England Patriots (@Patriots) That cool was evident, too, on a perfectly timed yet almost casual shovel pass for a touchdown to DeMario Douglas during the Patriots' Week 15 loss to the Cardinals. Drake Maye makin' plays for the 📺: 📱: — NFL (@NFL) Of course, highlights are different from achievements. The Patriots won just one of Maye's starts. I'd argue his greatest achievement was looking competent and usually poised with very little help around him. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper were reliable tight ends. Receivers Kayshon Boutte and Douglas had occasional promising moments. Antonio Gibson gave it his all. But other than that? Let's see. The offensive line was overrun like a busted dam, the best running back kept putting the ball on the ground, the head coach wasn't ready for the job, and the coaching staff was made up mostly of retreads and newbies who were underqualified for their responsibilities. Advertisement I'm not saying Maye came into the most hopeless situation in recent NFL history. That title belongs, perhaps permanently, to David Carr, who got broken by the expansion Texans after being the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft. Getting sacked 76 times in a season will change a man. I am saying the massive disadvantages Maye faced last season have probably been underestimated. And it's going to be fascinating to see how much a leap he can take now that he has a real support system. Related : The upgrade from Mayo to Mike Vrabel is the biggest Patriots head coaching upgrade since Bill Parcells replaced Dick McPherson. (And you know what? I'll hear you on the massive upgrade of going from Pete Carroll — a fine coach now who was way too happy-happy-joy-joy during his three gradually worse years here — to Bill Belichick.) Nearly as important, Vrabel has an experienced, deep, and well-rounded staff, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is acclaimed here for his championship collaborations with Tom Brady, but also got the most anyone could have out of Cam Newton and his shot shoulder in 2020 and rookie Eggo Jones a year later. Maye's supporting cast on offense is still a work in progress, one requiring more help in the years ahead. But with Advertisement It's telling that Vrabel has been tough on Maye in preseason, Early returns suggest it's not the relentlessly sarcastic approach that eventually drove Drew Bledsoe to frustration with Parcells, but a sometimes sarcastic approach delivered constructively and often with humor. Vrabel, and McDaniels too, can coach Maye in a way Mayo and Alex Van Pelt could not. It's one more thing Maye needs to become the quarterback his talent, charisma, and highlights from a season worth forgetting, suggest he can be. Chad Finn can be reached at
