David Overstreet’s son brings his passion for football to UCF

He found his way into coaching, first as an assistant coach at a pair of community colleges, then in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts (2018-21), the Chicago Bears (2022-24) and the Dallas Cowboys (2025).

But it was a familiar face that drew him to UCF this offseason.

“I do have a relationship with (defensive coordinator Alex) Grinch. He was a graduate assistant when I was in my first two years in Missouri,” Overstreet explained.

The Knights were in a spot after losing two cornerbacks coaches this offseason. Brandon Harris departed for a similar job at Florida and his replacement, Will Johnson, took a job with the Minnesota Vikings a little more than a month before the start of spring camp.

“It’s a unique situation,” said Grinch. “We’ve got a lot of older guys in that (cornerbacks) room with some experience, so to add a guy to the coaching staff that has coached that mature type of guy, it’s a great fit for us, a great fit for him and then a great fit for that room.”

Overstreet inherits a cornerbacks group that returns starters Antione Jackson and Jayden Bellamy, along with reserves DJ Bell, Rukeem Stroud and Nicholas Antione. The unit also added transfer Jailen Duffie and freshmen Elijah Keys and Amarion Queen.

The Knights were one of the best in the country in passing defense, finishing the season ranked in the top 25, allowing just 185 yards per game.

The players have been drawn to Overstreet’s NFL experience and his high-energy personality.

“Seven o’clock, six o’clock, five o’clock in the morning, he’s already up and full of energy,” said Bell.

“I don’t drink any caffeine. I’m just always wired like this. It’s because I just love this game. I love football so much, man,” said Overstreet.

Overstreet’s connection to coaching pro players such as cornerback Jaylon Johnson (Chicago Bears) and DaRon Bland (Dallas Cowboys) has become a resource that many of the Knights are trying to tap into.

“He’s coming from the pros, so I just asked him about the guys that he coached,” added Jackson. “What was their routine? What were they doing on a daily basis? What could I do better on a daily basis? Speaking outside of football because that’s where it all starts.”

That willingness to improve has impressed Overstreet the most so far this spring camp.

“The biggest thing is how bad these dudes want to get better,” he said. “It tells me a lot that it matters to them. But also tells about the culture that (Coach Scott) Frost is building here, the way you’re getting guys in here that it matters to them. They want to be good.”

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