As one of the longest-tenured members of the UCF coaching staff, defensive tackles coach Kenny Martin has witnessed the program's evolution firsthand. Martin oversees a room that he describes as his most experienced yet, a stark contrast to the youth-heavy rotation the Knights fielded just a year ago.
The 2026 interior group features a blend of All-American potential in Horace Lockett Jr., honorable mention standout RJ Jackson, and a wave of productive transfers. Following a recent spring session, Martin discussed the luxury of coaching refined technique over basic effort, the "tenacious" standard set by defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, and the pride he takes in seeing former pupils like Malachi Lawrence develop into first-round NFL talent.
(Photo: Conor Kvatek/UCF Athletics / Contributor)
On the Depth and Experience of the 2026 Defensive Tackle Room:
"This year is like Christmas; you get all these new toys and you want to see how they work. Last year we had to take baby steps because everyone was so young, but this year we have a bunch of older, experienced guys. I'm not teaching them how to practice; I'm teaching them what to do. I can really coach football and get into the details of techniques rather than teaching them how to run—they are already hauling tail to the ball."
On the "Race to the Ball" Standard:
"The most important thing we've accomplished is setting the standard that Coach Grinch and Coach Frost want: a tenacious defense. This might be the best group I've had when it comes to sprinting to the ball. Usually, you look at the big boys up front for loafing, but every time I turn on the tape, it's a race to the ball with these guys."
On Horace Lockett's All-American Potential:
"Horace is on track to be here for the summer. We know what he can do and we saw his potential—we look at him to be an all-conference guy, possibly an all-American. He went on a couple of visits to other schools when he was in the portal and said, 'Coach, this is where I want to be. I know you can take me where I want to go.' You can't coach 6'6", 360 lbs, and I'm glad he trusts me in that process."
On RJ Jackson's Growth:
"RJ has been doing phenomenal. Last year he was feeling his way in, but towards the end of the season, he took a huge step forward. He ended up being Honorable Mention All-Conference, and a lot of people don't talk about that. He can be one of the better ones in this conference; he's practicing his tail off."
On the Value of "Violence" and Disruption:
"Violence solves all your issues. If you screw up and take a wrong step, but you're violent with your hands and your hips, you can knock things back and disrupt the backfield. Thomas Collins (TC) is very tenacious—he's fast and violent. Josh Shell is the same way; those guys come out of their hips and use their hands to solve problems."
On Transfer Thomas Collins:
"I saw a different demeanor on tape—a different type of D-tackle than I've had since I've been at UCF. He's a one-gap penetrator and a phenomenal natural pass rusher. Watching his Oregon State film, you see him going sideline to sideline chasing plays down. Having that experience is extremely important."
On Josh Schell :
"I wanted him from the get-go when he was at Grand Valley State. He's tenacious and violent with his hands. He played more Edge/3-tech there, but here he's playing interior—zero, shade, and three-tech. He's still a little raw at the position but he's running things down."
On Freshman Noah Mercer:
"I recruited the frame and the size; he's sitting at 6'5", 288 lbs right now and still growing. He's a program guy you can really groom. Coming in for spring was the best thing for him to get over that freshman hump and the freshman wall. He still does freshman things, but he's going to be a good player."
On Brad Gurley:
"His production at EKU—46 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks—is translating here. People wonder how FCS stats translate to the Big 12 against bigger linemen, but he's doing a phenomenal job. He's another guy with a lot of football under his belt that I can really lean on."
On the NFL Success of Malachi Lawrence and Others:
"I'm extremely proud. Malachi Lawrence coming here, trusting the process, and ending the night as a first-round pick shows everyone you can come to UCF and be a first-rounder. Even the undrafted guys like Njalik [Kelly] and Ricky [Barber] are getting their shots. Ricky went up there and sacked Dak Prescott in his first game. I also can't wait to see Lee Hunter out there next to Derek Brown; that's going to be awesome.
On the Evolution of Malachi Lawrence:
"I saw him as a baby, kind of like I see Noah Mercer now. He had a lot of guys in front of him, but he learned from them. He was probably the most gifted in the room. By his junior and senior years, you saw all the work he put in as a freshman and sophomore finally pay off."
On Rotating the Interior Line:
"We have a great rotation and we're deep. D-tackle is the position that rotates probably the most, and I need all of them. I trust all of them to get into a game."
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