UCF Football: Cole Kozlowski looks to lead Knights defense

The UCF Knights will look to establish themselves in the Big 12 this season. One player who may be able to help UCF this season is senior linebacker transfer Cole Kozlowski. Kozlowski transferred into UCF from Colgate, where he was ranked second in total tackles in the country with 133. Kozlowski transfers from the Patriots League to the Big 12, where he will look to be a senior leader for the UCF Knights.

UCF Football: Who is Cole Kozlowski?

Kozlowski is a senior linebacker from Manasquan, New Jersey, who was a natural phenom in high school sports. As an all-around player, Kozlowski was playing safety on defense and a rotational piece on offense. He would be named First Team All-Shore, a member of the Second Team All-State, and captain in his Junior and Senior seasons. His gifted athleticism meant that in the offseason, he would play other varsity sports, mainly basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring. As Kozlowski began to be recruited, his frame went from a hybrid safety to the more traditional linebacker size, which is what Colgate offered him as a three-star linebacker, according to 247 sports.

Kozlowski would immediately see playing time from when he stepped on campus, beginning with a role on special teams and then subbing in on more third-down packages. The moment was never too big for Kozlowski, as he would continue to impress coaches with his play. His sophomore year, he would play every game and record 60 tackles, 36 solo, 7.5 for losses, one sack, one fumble forced, one recovered fumble, a quarterback hurry, and five passes broken-up (which would tie for the most on the team). However, it was his junior year where he would take the next step.

Junior Leap with Colgate

Kozlowski entered his junior year with Colgate with one goal in mind: reaching 100 total tackles.

“Going into my junior year, I had goals set of 100-plus tackles, things like that, and once I started to average like 11 tackles a game, it got to the point where I was like, all right, this goal’s going to be hit, but I want more,” Kozlowski told UCF Sports in an interview.

Kozlowski would go on to rack up 133 tackles – good for second in all of FCS. He had 66 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss of 38 yards, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, interception, six passes breakups, and one blocked kick.

This would earn Kozlowski two Defensive Player of the Week awards for the Patriots League, 2024 First Team All-Patriot League, and 2024 Division I FCS All-ECAC Team Honors. Kozlowski would then enter the transfer portal at the end of the season, receiving almost immediately 20+ offers, eventually settling between Purdue and UCF.

Once Kozlowski visited UCF, the staff, weather, and the facilities immediately made him know that this was his home, and he would transfer to UCF.

Positional Outlook at UCF

Kozlowski comes into a linebacker room that has seen a major change up over the past season. Ethan Barr and Deshawn Pace both have left to pursue professional football goals, with Barr recently receiving an invite to the Tennessee Titans training camp. Xe’Ree Alexander also transferred, and will play for Washington.

Keli Lawson, Lewis Carter and Jayden McDonald are the only linebackers that look to be in the way for Kozlowski. However, none have the playing experience that Kozlowski brings. Not only should Kozlowski start for the UCF Knights in 2025, but he should be the leader of the unit and possibly the entire defensive side.

Strengths & Areas of Improvements

Kozlowski comes in at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds but moves as though he was 25 pounds lighter. This natural athleticism allows him to always be near the ball carrier.

Kozlowski has also been counted on in a leadership role, being able to be the starter of Colgate’s defense. Finally, his ability to run straight into contact and continue to hold on is a main reason his tackling ability led to 133 last season.

UCF went into the portal and got one of the more productive LB’s in the Patriot League in former Colgate LB Cole Kozlowski (@ColeKozlowski2)

Getting downhill and running through the RB’s face is the name of his game but he did show some comfort in space in coverage.… pic.twitter.com/PMFqLW3u53

— Bryan (@BGauvin23) May 16, 2025

The biggest question mark surrounding Kozlowski’s play is if he is able to do it at the higher level. The FCS typically doesn’t produce the same level of athletes that a Power 4 conference does. And, his weight may be a problem if the speed cannot keep up with better athletes.

Another concern is that Kozlowski is more of a run-stopper than a coverage linebacker. Pass defense is where he will need to make most of his improvements.

2025 Outlook in the UCF Defense

Kozlowski looks to be the leader of the defense for the upcoming season. He will continue his role at Mike linebacker as UCF looks to utilize more of a 3-4 look this season. Kozlowski’s raw tackling ability, as well as his speed and size should guarantee him the starting role, with maybe rotating out on more pass heavy scenarios.

Cole Kozlowski will look to provide consistency for a UCF team that struggled wrapping up. UCF fans should be excited with their new acquisition through the transfer portal.