The seventh in a position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into fall camp:
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TODAY: EDGE
What to expect
The Knights have some huge shoes to fill at defensive end after the departures of starters Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly. Lawrence became the fifth UCF player selected in the first round of the NFL draft when he was picked by the Dallas Cowboys with the 23rd overall pick, while Kelly went undrafted and signed with the Green Bay Packers.
Returnees Isaiah Nixon and Sincere Edwards are the early frontrunners for the spots.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Nixon has appeared in 25 games over the past three seasons, primarily in a rotation role, totaling 36 tackles, including five tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks. Edwards appeared in just six games before suffering a season-ending injury on his left leg. He had 11 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks.
Bruno Dall and Ken Talley, both of whom arrived via the transfer market, should also be factors. Dall appeared in 23 games at Akron, totaling 53 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, 5 sacks and an interception, while Talley appeared in 18 games at Arkansas and Michigan State, totaling 14 tackles, including 3 for loss with 1.5 sacks.
Aymeric Koumba, who is in his second season with the Knights, figures to be in the mix as part of the rotation, as does Florida State transfer L A Jesse Harrold.
What they’re saying
“We were the new piece last year as coaches. So it’s kind of a reload for those guys. For me, it’s a little bit more of a mixture, because it’s probably closer to half and half, with the guys going through the rotation and the guys who have been playing and adding, obviously, a few new pieces to it. We have a little more experience than what we had. ” — UCF defensive run game coordinator/edges coach Mike Dawson on this year’s group.
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Returnees
Isaiah Nixon
Quentin Hatch
Sincere Edwards
Aymeric Koumba
Anthony Coaxum
Arrivals
Bruno Dall (Akron), redshirt junior
Ken Talley (Arkansas), redshirt senior
L A Jesse Harrold (Florida State), redshirt freshman
Alhassan Iddrissu (St. Thomas High), freshman
Departures
Malachi Lawrence (eligibility): 28 tackles, 11 TFL, 7 sacks, 3 QBH, 2 FF
Nyjalik Kelly (eligibility): 46 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 8 QBH, 2 FF
Jamaal Johnson (transfer to Northwestern): 24 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 3 QBH
Projected depth chart
DE1 — Isaiah Nixon
DE1 — Sincere Edwards
DE2 — Bruno Dall
DE2 — Ken Talley
DE3 — Aymeric Koumba
DE3 — L A Jesse Harrold
Previous
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive line
Interior defensive line
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
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