After 3 seasons, UCF edge rusher Isaiah Nixon is ready for his moment

UCF enters the upcoming season in search of replacements for Lawrence and Kelly, who started every game last season. The unit must also replace Jamal Johnson, whose eligibility expired last season.

The three players combined for 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, accounting for nearly 30% of the team’s TFLs and 38% of its sacks.

Joining Nixon are returners Quentin Hatch, Aymeric Koumba, Anthony Coaxum and Edwards, who is battling back from an injury that limited him to just six games last season.

“I’m excited about a couple of guys that were here last year, between Isaiah, Sincere and Aymeric. Those guys have been around. They know my language, know my style and they know the drills, which has been great,” said Dawson.

Nixon and Edwards should be front-runners for the starting jobs based on their time with the Knights.

“The reps they got last season were very valuable. It’s not like they haven’t done this before. So, they have that under their belts,” said Dawson. “They need to continue to build on that and keep on adding to those reps and adding on from what they’ve learned when they played last year.”

The unit also added a trio of transfers in Bruno Dall, Ken Talley and L A Jessie Harrold, along with true freshman Alhassan Iddrissu.

“We have such a deep group and we have a long way to go,” said Dawson. “We’ve got a great, big summer ahead of us.”

Nixon credits his time with Lawrence and Kelly for helping him grow, not only as a leader but also as an edge rusher. How to develop a solid work ethic that he could take with him from the practice fields to gameday. With both headed to the NFL, it provides extra motivation for the redshirt junior.

“It motivates me to work harder and just follow in those footsteps,” Nixon said.

In an ever-changing college landscape, it would have been easy for Nixon to enter the transfer portal and find a new home, but that thought never entered his mind.

“I like where I’m at here and this is a great place as far as the talent and the culture,” Nixon said. “I love it here and I can’t wait to win.

I want to show more of my work ethic and what I can do on the field. I have a great attitude and I am ready to help my team win.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.