UCF Knights: Key Transfer Portal Additions for 2025

The UCF Knights had a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a record of 4-8 and missing a bowl game. However, a familiar face will lead them into 2025, as former head coach Scott Frost has returned as the Knights’ head coach. And, he has his work cut out for him. There were over 16 players that transferred away from UCF, and the Knights’ recruiting class is last in the Big 12. UCF had 22 total commitments from the transfer portal, let’s look at some that could have an immediate impact next year.

Transfer Portal Additions for the UCF Knights

With plenty of new additions on the coaching side for UCF, the Knights have been incredibly busy in the transfer portal for the 2025 season.

Offensive Additions

Tayven Jackson, QB – Indiana

This was a big get for Frost and the Knights. Tayven Jackson was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and was the 12th-ranked quarterback per 247 Sports. Jackson has played mostly in relief for the Hoosiers, yet in his one start he only threw for 124 yards. However, his skillset should fit well with the offense UCF wants to employ. The quarterback competition now has three good quarterbacks to pick from.

Cam Fancher, QB – FAU

With the new coaching staff, it remains to be seen who will be the starting quarterback for the UCF Knights. Cam Fancher comes in from FAU and is an interesting player for the Knights to look at.

In his career he only has 27 touchdowns to 23 interceptions, but has had over 450 rushing yards every year. Fancher’s running ability will fit in the spread scheme they will be implementing.

Ric’Darious Farmer, WR – WVU

Kobe Hudson was the Knights’ leading receiver last year with 770 yards. However, the next receiver only had 22 total catches last year. The team has a need at the position, and UCF went in the Big 12 to find its target.

Ric’Darious Farmer only had six receptions in his first year at West Virginia, but he was a top-34 player out of Florida in 2024 and a four-star prospect on 247 Sports. He excels at catch and run scenarios, so he will likely be utilized in the slot for UCF.

Dylan Wade, TE – Maryland

On December 23, the Knights landed a commitment from tight end Dylan Wade out of Maryland. He had 29 catches last year for 374 yards and two touchdowns. His pass blocking grade is a 66.9 on PFF but his run blocking needs to be vastly improved. It’s likely that Wade will be used as a versatile receiving threat in the middle of the defense.

Gaard Memmelaar, OG – Washington

Gaard Memmelaar was the No. 1 prospect coming out of Idaho in the 2020 class. He got his first shot at serious playing time last year and played 520 snaps for the Huskies. Memmelaar played solely at LG and only allowed nine pressures; where PFF graded him as a much better pass blocker than run blocker.

Carter Miller, C – LA Monroe

Carter Miller has played at both James Madison and Louisiana Monroe. The last two years he has played over 650 snaps and brings experience to the Knights. He only has allowed two sacks in his career and 19 total pressures. Miller grades out as a better pass blocker than run blocker per PFF. The starting center for UCF has left to go to Arkansas, so Miller could step right in to anchor the line in 2025.

Defensive Additions

Horace Lockett, DL – Georgia Tech

Last year, only allowed 125.3 rush yards per game, which was top-30 in the nation. And now they’ve brought in Georgia Tech DL Horace Lockett, who is mostly a run stuffer.

Last year, he did not play a snap for the Yellow Jackets. However, he had 23 tackles with 14 stops (PFF metric: tackles that constitute a failure for the offense) in 2023.

RJ Jackson Jr, DL – Tulsa

While Lockett is more one-dimensional, RJ Jackson can both stuff the run and rush the passer. Jackson had 22 tackles last year with four sacks and 21 pressures. He registered a 56.8 rush defense grade on PFF and a 71.9 pass rushing grade. Jackson lines up most of his plays at defensive tackle but can play outside as well. This versatility will allow UCF to play him in multiple positions.

Sincere Edwards, EDGE – Pittsburgh

Sincere Edwards is from Apopka Florida and was between UCF and Pittsburgh before he committed in 2024. As a freshman, Edwards had three sacks and 18 total pressures. He was graded with a 73.6 on rush defense as well, so Edwards provides versatility at Edge. He will look to improve on his freshman season and provide much need pass rush for the Knights.

Keli Lawson, LB – Virginia Tech

Former UCF linebacker Xe’ree Alexander entered the portal and is heading to Washington. With the opening at linebacker, the UCF Knights targeted Keli Lawson in the transfer portal, who is a former four-star from Virginia Tech.

Lawson saw a decline in snaps from 500 in 2023 to 276 in 2024. He still predominantly played in the box and had 35 tackles with six total pressures. He is a slight downgrade in run-defense from Alexander, but had a higher pass rush grade on PFF.

Phillip Dunnam, S – FAU

The UCF Knights entered the portal and targeted what could be a very good player in Phillip Dunnam, who could be a plug and play at the position.

Dunnam had 46 tackles, three interceptions, and four pass breakups last year. He had a 69.8 tackling grade on PFF and a 79.2 coverage grade. That coverage grade would put him as the second-rated player in the secondary for UCF last year.

Jayden Bellamy, CB – Syracuse

UCF struggled in pass coverage last year, giving up plenty of leads in the fourth quarter. They only had nine total interceptions and were ranked 75th in total passing yards allowed per game.

In comes Jayden Bellamy, from Syracuse. The Orange product had 31 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass breakups last year. Bellamy is strong in coverage with a 74.9 grade but also is a good tackler with a 77.8 grade on PFF. To put that in perspective, only two corners for the Knights had over a 70 grade in coverage in 2024.

Isaiah Reed, CB – Brown

Loading up on cornerbacks was a strategy for the new coaching staff that hopes to improve the overall defense. Isaiah Reed only played four games last year at Brown, but in 2023 he had 45 tackles, five interceptions, and six pass breakups. The step up in competition from Brown will be a challenge, but Reed had over a 80 grade in coverage all three years.

Jyaire Brown, CB – LSU

UCF needs all the help it can get in the secondary, so getting Jyaire Brown was a big commitment. Brown is a former four-star recruit that played at both Ohio State and LSU. It is a tad bit concerning that this will be his third stop with only 277 snaps so far in his career. However, UCF needs to upgrade their corner play.

Brown has only allowed 116 yards on 18 targets in his college career. While he’s never surpassed a coverage grade of 70 in his career, the numbers speak for themselves. Brown has the high pedigree and will add depth, if nothing else, to the secondary.

Other Notable Transfers Players

Jakiah Leftwich, OT – North Carolina

Jakiah Leftwich spent time at both Georgia Tech and North Carolina. He has 750 snaps in his career and mostly has lined up at RT. Hi blocking grades at PFF have never been over 60, and will need to improve to see playing time at UCF.

Preston Cushman, OT – Ole Miss

Preston Cushman only has 93 snaps in three years at Ole Miss. He played LG his first two years but logged 64 snaps at RT in 2024. He graded out as a better pass blocker in 2024 and will add depth to the offensive line.

Justin Royes, OT – Virginia Union

Justin Royes played Division II football at Virginia Union and started 20 games in two years. He has two years of eligibility, and a big frame to hopefully develop and be a contributor for the Knights.

DJ Black, WR – Limestone College

DJ Black was a walk on at South Carolina before he played at Limestone College. In two years he has played 13 games with 37 receptions for 794 yards and nine touchdowns. Last year, he averaged just under 100 yards per game and 21 yards per catch. It will be interesting how he fairs with the step up in competitions.

Phil Picciotti, LB – Oklahoma

Phil Picciotti has dealt with injuries his first two years in college and is looking for a fresh start at UCF. In 2023 he was the 48th-ranked linebacker prospect and held offers from Oklahoma, Auburn, and Michigan.

DJ Bell, S – Memphis

The last two years, DJ Bell played a majority of his snaps at corner. Bell has shown a good prowess as a cover safety; with a 71.8 coverage grade last year, per PFF,  only allowing 12 receptions on 28 targets. That is a small sample size, so it remains to be seen if he can get more playing time at UCF.

Jaeden Gould, S – Syracuse

This will be Jaeden Gould’s third stop, as he played at Nebraska in 2022 and was at Syracuse the last two years. He saw a decrease in playing time in 2024, with only 92 snaps compared to 303 in 2023. Gould was more effective in run defense and will play in the box. However, his addition to UCF looks to be more for depth, than to be a starter.

Brandon Jacob, S – Maryland

Brandon Jacob only played 120 snaps his freshman year and accounted for just five tackles at Maryland. However, he did play slot corner as well, so that gives some versatility and depth for the UCF Knights.