UCF football position preview: Defensive line
The sixth in an occasional position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into the offseason:
TODAY: DEFENSIVE LINE
What to expect
No unit provides as much experience as the defensive front, which is anchored by a pair of veteran edge rushers, Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly. Together, this duo accounted for nearly half of the team's total quarterback sacks last season, contributing 10.5 out of the 22 sacks. The addition of Pittsburgh transfer Sincere Edwards, who recorded 3 sacks and 6 tackles for loss, will strengthen a group that also includes returning players Jamaal Johnson and Isaiah Nixon.
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The return of John Walker, who missed the entire 2024 season due to a leg injury, enhances the tackle position. This is especially important given the departures of starters Ricky Barber and Lee Hunter. Georgia Tech transfer Horace Lockett Jr. is expected to play a significant role at the nose tackle position alongside Derrick LeBlanc. Additionally, Tulsa transfer R.J. Jackson Jr. will serve as a strong backup for Walker.
What they're saying
'I want us to be known as a violent group, a group that gets to the ball and a group that is respected. When guys run the ball, they better go to the perimeter. That's the expectation for us. We want to be physical up front, locking things out and being disruptive even in the pass rush. I want to be able to knock stuff back, to penetrate and affect the quarterback.' — UCF defensive tackles coach Kenny Martin.
On Roster
Malachi Lawrence, redshirt senior
Nyjalik Kelly, senior
Jamaal Johnson, redshirt junior
Isaiah Nixon, redshirt sophomore
John Walker, junior
Derrick LeBlanc, redshirt sophomore
Keshaun Hudson, redshirt junior
Andrew Rumph, redshirt sophomore
Tyreek'e Robinson, redshirt freshman
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Arrivals
Sincere Edwards (Pittsburgh), sophomore
Aymeric Koumba (Michigan), redshirt sophomore
Horace Lockett Jr. (Georgia Tech), redshirt junior
RJ Jackson Jr. (Tulsa), junior
Jeffson LaFontant (Bethune-Cookman), junior
Rodney Lora (North Carolina), redshirt freshman
RyShawn Perry (TBD), freshman
Departures
Ricky Barber
Lee Hunter
Matthew Alexander
Daylan Dotson
Jack Morgan
Josh Dorsainvil
Marcus Downs
Projected depth chart (offseason)
DE — Nyjalik Kelly | Isaiah Nixon
NT — Horace Lockett Jr. | Derrick LeBlanc
DT — John Walker | RJ Jackson Jr.
DE — Sincere Edwards | Malachi Lawrence
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel's Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
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