The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Over 300 stars from the college game will have the opportunity to showcase their physical skills as well as participate in interviews with interested teams to start the process of earning a spot on an NFL roster. Among that group will be two members of the Knights' group from the 2025 team that went 5-7 in the first season of Scott Frost's second stint as head coach.
Here's what UCF fans need to know for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
MORE: UCF Recruiting Update: 3 Florida Prospects React to Offers and Interest
Who
Defensive edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Malachi Lawrence are the two UCF representatives at this year's combine.
Kelly, a Fort Lauderdale native, spent two seasons at UCF after playing his first two college seasons with the Miami Hurricanes. In 24 games in a UCF uniform, Kelly started 23 with 8.5 sacks, an interception, 17 tackles for loss, and 99 total tackles. In 2025, Kelly led the Knights with two forced fumbles and eight quarterback hurries, broke up a career-high three passes, and was an All Big-12 Honorable Mention. He also tied Cole Kozlowski for the team lead in tackles for loss with 7.5.
Lawrence, a native of Louisville, Kentucky who spent all five of his college seasons with the Knights, played in 39 games for UCF with 22 starts. He'll finish his time in Orlando with 72 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and five pass breakups. In 2025, Lawrence led the team in sacks with 7. Lawrence and Kelly tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries with two. Lawrence was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and was an honorable mention for Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025.
Lawrence or Kelly getting selected in April's NFL Draft would make three consecutive seasons that UCF has seen a player drafted. Running back RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos) and defensive back Mac McWilliams (Philadelphia Eagles) were both selected in the 2025 Draft. A UCF defensive lineman has not been selected since 2022 when Kalia Davis was selected in the sixth round by the San Francisco 49ers.
[embedded content]
Where & When
Defensive lineman will take the field for drills at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 26 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Linebackers and kickers will also take part in drills in the same time window.
Here's when the other position groups are scheduled to participate in drills:
Tight Ends and Defensive Backs: Friday, February 27 - 3 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs: Saturday, February 28 - 1 p.m. ET
Offensive Linemen: Sunday, March 1 - 1 p.m. ET
Streaming Information
NFL Network and NFL+
For more UCF coverage, follow Knights247 on X, Instagram, and Facebook!
Sign up for our FREE UCF Knights Newsletter