The Unforgiving Gridiron: UCF Alums and the NFL's Roster Rollercoaster

Ah, the NFL offseason – it's a time brimming with hope and possibility, especially for college standouts making the leap to the professional ranks. Every year, we watch with bated breath as our favorite collegiate athletes chase their gridiron dreams. For many from UCF, that dream recently took shape with opportunities across the league, particularly for a couple of Knights who landed with the legendary Green Bay Packers. But, as we all know, the NFL is a tough, unforgiving business, and not every story gets a fairytale ending right away.

Let's talk about the Green Bay connection first, shall we? Two really exciting talents from UCF, running back Jaden Nixon and edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly, both inked deals with the Packers as undrafted free agents following the 2026 NFL Draft. Nixon, a dynamic force in his final year in Orlando, truly made his mark as a secondary back, piling up 554 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on just 71 carries. And who could forget his special teams prowess, averaging a stellar 23.1 yards per kick return, earning him an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention? Kelly, on the other hand, brought his relentless pass-rushing skills to the forefront after transferring from Miami. In his last season with the Knights, he was a disruptive force, tallying 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and even an interception – all good enough for his own All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. These guys had serious potential, and their signing with an iconic franchise like the Packers was a moment of immense pride for the UCF faithful.

But then, the inevitable happens. The NFL preseason whirs by, and with it, comes the painful, yet necessary, process of roster cuts. You just hate to see it, especially for young players who've poured their lives into this sport. While specific news about our UCF alums and Green Bay has been a bit murky, we did see the harsh reality hit an Alabama alum, cornerback Domani Jackson, who was a sixth-round draft pick by the Packers. Jackson, who'd spent time at both USC and Alabama in college, found himself waived on August 30, 2026, after only seeing limited action in the preseason. It’s a stark reminder that even drafted players aren't safe, let alone the throngs of undrafted free agents vying for a precious few spots.

For players like Nixon and Kelly, the battle is incredibly intense. Undrafted free agents face an uphill climb from day one. They have to outwork, outshine, and simply outlast dozens of other hopefuls, many of whom were drafted higher. Their collegiate accolades certainly speak volumes about their talent and work ethic, but the NFL stage is a different beast entirely. Every practice rep, every preseason snap, is a job interview under the brightest lights. They are fighting for spots against established veterans and other hungry rookies, hoping to catch the eye of a coach or general manager who sees their potential for a practice squad or, even better, a place on the 53-man roster.

Beyond the Packers, UCF’s talent pool has made a splash across the league in various capacities. Linebacker Keli Lawson inked an undrafted free-agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings, which is fantastic. Kicker Noe Ruelas, who earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors, even snagged an invitation to the Indianapolis Colts’ minicamp, a well-deserved nod to his consistent performance. And let’s not forget offensive lineman Paul Rubelt, who also signed an undrafted free-agent contract, ready to compete for a depth role somewhere. Other Knights like running back Myles Montgomery, defensive back Phillip Dunnam, and wide receiver Marcus Burke also secured undrafted free-agent contracts or training camp invitations, showcasing the breadth of talent coming out of Orlando.

The journey for these young men is far from over, no matter how the initial roster cuts shake out. For every player whose dream is deferred, there's a chance at a practice squad, another team, or even a different league. The path to NFL stardom is rarely linear, often filled with twists, turns, and moments of intense uncertainty. But one thing is for sure: these UCF alums have shown grit, talent, and an unwavering desire to play at the highest level, and we'll be cheering them on every step of the way, wherever their football journey takes them next.