Former UCF standouts Malachi Lawrence, Nyjalik Kelly ready for NFL draft

Lawrence isn’t the only Knight who could hear his name called this weekend.

Fellow edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly is coming off back-to-back strong seasons at UCF, finishing with 99 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks with the Knights following two seasons at Miami.

He’s projected to be a sixth or seventh-round selection.

“I believe Nyjalik is undervalued a little bit, because I know what he can do,” said Frost. “Last spring, we couldn’t block him, and he wrecked some of the offense’s practice, so I’m excited about his opportunity.”

Like Lawrence, Kelly’s dreams of playing in the NFL began when he was growing up.

“My grandpa used to be on the couch, kicking his feet up and the NFL was always on (the TV),” Kelly recalled. “We were always watching the (Miami) Dolphins. You would see the players on the screen and I wanted to be one of those players, because I knew my grandpa watched it and I always wanted my grandpa to watch me on TV one day.”

Running backs Jaden Nixon and Myles Montgomery also hope to continue their careers in the NFL. Both are projected as sixth or seventh-round selections or as undrafted free agents.

“I would love to make a team just so I could play football,” said Nixon, who rushed for 558 yards and 7 touchdowns last season for the Knights. “That’s all it ever has been about. It’s just playing football. I don’t think about anything else.”

“They’re gonna get somebody who’s going to embrace their role, whatever it is, and try to help the team continue to win ball games,” said Montgomery, who led the team in rushing with 705 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Offensive lineman Paul Rubelt is also hoping for a chance to prove himself at the next level.

“If you take a shot at me, I’ll give you my all,” said Rubelt. “Whoever takes a chance on me, they won’t regret it.”

Added Frost: “Jaden, Paul and Myles and a bunch of other guys, if they get their shot, they’re going to have a good opportunity to make a living playing the game. That’s what you dream about when you’re little.”

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