UCF relied on a dynamic backfield tandem to carry the rushing offense in 2025.
Myles Montgomery served as the workhorse and every-down option, while Jaden Nixon brought explosiveness as the change-of-pace back and home-run threat. Nixon made his impact not only as a runner, but also as UCF's primary kickoff returner, where his speed consistently created opportunities via field-position.
Nixon earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors as a kick returner and was also named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against North Carolina A&T. He led UCF with seven rushing touchdowns and finished second on the team with 554 rushing yards. Nixon also added a kickoff return touchdown against North Carolina A&T, marking UCF's first kickoff return touchdown since 2017. As the Knights' primary kickoff returner, he totaled 438 yards on 19 returns, averaging 23.1 yards per attempt.
Nixon participated in UCF's 2026 Pro Day in front of representatives from 29 NFL teams, looking to showcase the same game-breaking speed that made him such a weapon in Orlando.
Here's what Nixon had to say after his performance.
(Photo: © Russell Lansford-Imagn Images, USA TODAY Sports)
On how Pro Day went today:
"It was good, man. It was fun. It was great being around all these excellent, talented dudes and everything like that. And then finally just getting out here and going to work. Been working so hard for this and it's finally got to do it. Also shout out Miles for that Lamborghini he let me borrow. So yeah."
On what he thinks was his best showcase today:
"Probably my 40. That's always got to be my best in my opinion. That's where I most definitely shine at is in the 40. But I feel like I also had a really good bench and everything like that today too. So I'm interested in myself. I can't wait to find out. Hopefully I get a number soon."
On how much pressure he puts on the 40 as a running back:
"For the 40, I put a lot of pressure on it cuz I'm more of that fast, elusive kind of running back. And honestly if a scout isn't here to see anything else, they're definitely here to see the 40. So it was just something I definitely emphasized the most and worked on the most. But I try to get my anxiety and pressure out before I came here so when I got here I can just run—and that's how I felt today."
On whether there was any competition or bet with teammates on who would run the 40 faster:
"No sir. No, we just come out here and support each other. We were texting each other before like 'man we can't wait to run. Can't wait to go out there and showcase our abilities and stuff."
On speaking with the 29 NFL teams that were represented and any immediate feedback:
"Just talked to some guys. It was like 'thank you guys for coming out and everything like that. Good seeing you, be safe.' And they just tell me I did a good job and good luck. So nothing too long or extraneous. But a good banter and stuff like that."
(Photo: Andrew Cherico/Staff, 247Sports)
On his pitch to teams and what kind of player they would be getting:
"If you cut the film on, you see that I'm explosive and everything like that. I can run. I can catch. I got a lot of great touchdown passes and everything like that. And throughout my career, like you said, kick return as well. I can hit the hole and I can go. Punt return. So if you want me coming out the backfield to go catch a ball, if you need somebody to break a long run or something like that, even just to grind and get a few yards, I can do that as well. So I'm explosive, talented, can catch. I'm big on returning."
On his dream:
"Realistically speaking—be in a great position where I could help my family, whether it's financially helping them get in the right position with a job or something like that. Just the connections that being in the NFL and the league is going to help me get to. I believe it's going to help me with my family that's here now or that's going to come after. So I'd love to make a team. Just like one, I could play football. That's all it's ever has been. It's just playing football. I don't think about anything else. I love playing football. And then two, the NFL opens so many doors. So I just want to be able to use my blessings to bless everybody around me and stuff like that. That's my goal."
On going through the draft process with Myles Montgomery:
"It's just been a grind. I ain't going to lie. I wake up every day at like 8, go work out, chill for a little bit or I'd even go straight through and then I come back around at 1:00 and work out again. So it's just wake up, grind every day, and then chill for the rest of the day cuz you know you got to get up and do it again. Six days a week. Only one day to really rest and that day goes by fast. It was just a grind, but I ain't have to do school, so I'm blessed about that. I ain't got to show up for no team meetings. So it was all just a blessing to be able to get to this point. I'm excited to see what happens afterwards."
On his perspective of the UCF program now in the first year of the rebuild under Coach Frost:
"I still got to talk to some of these guys and see how the new team looks. But from everybody—all the coaches and some of the players I've talked to—they feel great and confident about the new guys rolling in. I'm excited to see. I can't wait for spring ball next Tuesday. I've been texting AG like 'Hey man, y'all still ain't start spring ball? Like I'm going to be there this time.' But I'm hearing great things and I know this team is going to improve from last year. They know they got a lot of things to work on and I believe they're getting them done."
On what it would mean to get the draft call:
"Hey man, I'm going to be lit. That's all I know, man. It's truly going to be a blessing. There's nobody else you can give love and praise to besides God. It's just going to be a heartfelt moment. I might start crying a little bit, a little tears."
On the incoming running backs:
"Those are great too. That's a great duo. Great personalities and everything like that and just really personable and can talk with anybody on the team. So I'm excited to see the whole season."
On expectations for returning running backs like Taevion Swint and AG:
"I learned a lot from AG too. Having somebody that played in the game and then having somebody that didn't play a whole year—it helps a lot. I expect high expectations for them and I can't wait to see them in spring ball and leading up to the season."
On his favorite memories from UCF:
"Either dancing with the dance team or the Spirit Splash. I ain't going to lie. Spirit Splash was fun. It was a different experience. I never seen something like that. So it was cool."
"On-field: The A&T game. The North Carolina A&T game. It was just a great experience all around. I also had a really good game too. But honestly, I'm gonna miss playing with those guys in that stadium and just getting the feel of the Bounce House. I got a lot of great memories in there—not even just on that field, but on the practice field or in the locker room or just around here in Orlando with these guys. So it's man, it's I just want to say I'm blessed."
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