Paul Rubelt is a rare example of a player in this era of college football who never entered the transfer portal. Instead, he stayed at UCF, built a legacy and worked his way up to become the team's starting left tackle.
Although Rubelt did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-10 lineman still had the opportunity to showcase his ability in front of representatives from 29 NFL organizations at UCF's 2026 pro day.
Rubelt turned in a solid testing performance, running a 4.99 in the 40-yard dash while recording 26 bench press reps, a 9-foot-8 broad jump and a 4.68 shuttle run.
His résumé extends well beyond testing numbers. Rubelt was named CSC Academic All-District and was a 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee. On the field, he played in 11 games and made 10 starts at left tackle.
He also played a key role in UCF earning Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week honors after the unit allowed zero sacks in a 34-9 win over North Carolina Tar Heels football on Sept. 20. Rubelt logged 641 snaps during the season, the most of any UCF offensive lineman, and was also named to Phil Steele's preseason All-Big 12 third team.
Here's what Rubelt had to say after his pro day performance.
(Photo: © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images, USA TODAY Sports)
On how Pro Day went today:
"I had a really good day. I feel I'm going to sleep really well tonight. It's awesome to be back at UCF, and I had fun."
On what he showed scouts today (size, movement, etc.):
"I showed that today. I'm pretty sure you got a chance to see. I can use my length. I'm strong, powerful, explosive—especially on the shuttle, the 10-yard split, 20-yard split on the 40-yard dash. My vertical was good."
On competing in the inaugural American Bowl showcase:
"It was a great opportunity to talk to scouts twice and show them what I can do. I think I made the most out of it."
On his dream:
"Getting drafted, playing football in the United States. First getting drafted and then yeah."
On how many teams he's spoken with so far:
"Around 20 out of 32."
On his pitch to teams:
"If you take a shot at me, I'll give you my all. Whoever takes a chance on me, they won't regret it."
On what the next month looks like:
"Stay ready so I don't have to get ready."
On feedback from scouts today:
"I did good. A lot of scouts said I did good."
On where he's been training:
"I trained with X3 in Orlando. That was a good group there. I'm glad I trained with Miles and Kelly and then Marcellus Marshall."
On turning the page from his college career and favorite memories at UCF:
"There's so much. It's hard to just pick one thing. The campus has changed. I have changed. The people around me that have supported me have changed. There's not a single thing I can tell you, but I already miss it 100%. Coming in the building, seeing the coaches, going to the nutrition center, seeing the athletic trainers, even academic staff. Yeah, I already miss it."
On where the UCF program is headed under Scott Frost (he was part of the first year of the rebuild):
"In the right direction. It's a process and it's going in the right direction."
On the International Pathway Program and its impact on NFL interest in Germany:
"It has helped a lot to bring attention to NFL football and to professional football in Germany. It helps tremendously because a lot of kids in Germany watch NFL football. There's a game in Germany. They go to the game, watch an NFL game, and say, 'Oh wow, awesome. Now I want to play football myself.' And that's happening all over Germany and it's gaining a lot of attention. That's really awesome to see that."
(Photo: © Mike Watters-Imagn Images, USA TODAY Sports)
On physical improvements during training for Pro Day:
"There's so much that has changed—more explosive, stronger. I gained back a little bit of weight. Body fat percentage has been the same. Body comp wise it's all where it should be."
On how confident he is that his dream will come true:
"Very confident. Otherwise I wouldn't have shown up. I would not have shown up today. So, very confident."
On who he wants to thank for his journey:
"So many people. One person that's big time is Herb Hand. He believed in me. When he got here, he helped me develop my skills and yeah, that guy, I think I'm forever thankful."
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