When the 30-day switch portal window opens on Sunday, Dec. 9, UCF can count on loads of exercise. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 marketing campaign, their second consecutive shedding season that noticed them miss the postseason for the primary time for the reason that 2015-16 season.
EJ Colson
Vitals: 6-foot-1, 200 kilos
Resume: Colson, a 4-star quarterback from Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove Excessive Faculty, was reclassified after his junior season, permitting him to signal as a part of the 2024 recruiting class reasonably than the 2025 class. He led Cedar Grove to a few straight state title appearances, profitable the Georgia 3A state crown in 2023.
Position: Colson was an early enrollee who began the season as one of many backups to KJ Jefferson and Jacurri Brown. He turned the primary true freshman to start out for the Knights since Mikey Keene in 2021 when he took the sector towards Cincinnati on Oct. 12. That employees determined to redshirt Colson, limiting him to a few appearances, together with within the last minutes of the season finale towards Utah.
Outlook: Colson’s surprising switch announcement got here lower than an hour after the Knights’ 28-14 loss to the Utes on Black Friday. It was a recreation through which he was 8 of 12 for 70 yards with a landing and an interception. His departure leaves UCF with three quarterbacks: redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk, true freshman Riley Trujillo and Brown.
Bryon Threats
Vitals: 5-10, 195 kilos
Resume: Threats was a 3-star product out of Dublin (Oh.) Coffman Excessive Faculty earlier than signing with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Position: The protection performed 4 video games with the Knights after arriving in December following three seasons at Cincinnati, the place he helped the group attain the Faculty Soccer Playoff in 2021.
Outlook: Threats’ function was seen primarily as a backup within the secondary. He had 7 tackles with 1 deal with for loss.
Xavier Townsend
Vitals: 5-11, 185 kilos
Resume: The previous 4-star receiver had performed at Tampa’s Berkeley Prep.
Position: Townsend has been the Knights’ beginning slot receiver since arriving within the 2022 recruiting class. He’s appeared in 29 video games (14 begins) over the last three seasons, together with each recreation this season and completed with 66 catches with 521 yards and 4 touchdowns in his profession, together with 10 catches for 69 yards and a rating in 2024.
Outlook: Townsend’s departure had a double impression on the Knights, who missed his talents as a receiver and because the group’s main kick returner on particular groups.
Colton Boomer
Vitals: 5-10, 175 kilos
Resume: Boomer joined this system as a walk-on after beginning at Lake Mary Excessive Faculty.
Position: He appeared in 29 video games at UCF, connecting on 30 of 42 subject objectives (71.4%) and 109 of 113 additional factors (96.5%). This season, Boomer was 3 for six on subject objectives however missed his last three kicks — two have been blocked throughout the Knights’ 35-34 win at TCU on Sept. 14.
Outlook: Boomer’s departure opened the door for redshirt freshman Grant Reddick, who related on 67% (6 of 9) subject objective makes an attempt and was 25 of 25 on additional factors.
Kam Moore
Vitals: 6-1, 205 kilos
Resume: Moore attended Sanford Excessive as a 3-star linebacker for the Seminoles earlier than signing with UCF as a part of its 2022 recruiting class. He helped lead the group to the 8A state title in 2020.
Position: The junior appeared in 23 video games (1 begin) throughout his three seasons with the Knights, registering 23 tackles with 2 tackles for loss, a compelled fumble and a go defended. Moore appeared in three video games this season, totaling 2 tackles.
Outlook: Moore’s departure leaves the Knights skinny on the linebacker place, notably with the departures of seniors Ethan Barr, Deshawn Tempo and Jesiah Pierre.
Kaven Name
Vitals: 6-3, 240 kilos
Resume: Name was a 3-star prospect out of Apopka Excessive Faculty who signed with the Knights as a part of their 2023 recruiting class. He helped the Blue Darters win three state titles in 4 appearances throughout his highschool profession.
Position: Name registered 2 tackles in three video games this season, primarily as a backup to Nyjalik Kelly and Malachi Lawrence. He appeared in 16 video games at UCF, totally on particular groups.
Outlook: His departure from this system was controversial. He posted a letter on social media claiming he was kicked off the group after requesting a redshirt throughout the season. Coach Gus Malzahn denied that accusation, stating he’s solely eliminated one participant from the group as a result of off-the-field points.
Matt Murschel could be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
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