NHL Playoffs: Penalty Kills Shine as Hurricanes Win Game 3 Over Senators
Hurricanes take a 3-0 series lead with 2-1 win over Senators in Game 3.
Malachi Lawrence was selected 23rd overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking the first UCF player chosen in the first round since 2018. He is the fifth UCF player in history to be drafted in the first round.
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 26: UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence (51) looks on during a game between the BYU Cougars and the UCF Knights on October 26, 2024 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
For the first time since 2018, a UCF Knight is off the board in the first round of the NFL Draft.
With the 23rd pick, the Dallas Cowboys selected UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence. Lawrence was the fifth Big 12 player and fourth defensive end to hear his name called on the stage in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. He is the fifth UCF first rounder in history, joining an exclusive group consisting of Daunte Culpepper (1999), Blake Bortles (2014), Breshad Perriman (2015), and Mike Hughes (2018).
Lawrence spent all five of his collegiate seasons at UCF, suiting up for the Knights through several key transitions, including the American Conference to Big 12 move in 2023, as well as the Gus Malzahn to Scott Frost head coaching change in 2025.
Lawrenceâs ascension lined up with the Knightsâ admittance into the Big 12. After seldom playing time in 2021 and 2022, the defensive end elevated his stock in 2023 with 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, securing All-Big 12 honorable mention despite operating primarily in a reserve role. The Louisville, KY native moved into a starting gig in 2024, racking up five sacks and six tackles for loss.
Malachi Lawrence is a defensive end who played for the UCF Knights.
Malachi Lawrence was selected 23rd overall by the Dallas Cowboys.
Malachi Lawrence is the fifth UCF player to be drafted in the first round.
Hurricanes take a 3-0 series lead with 2-1 win over Senators in Game 3.
Packers enter Day 2 of the 2026 draft with two key picks.
Browns trade down and select Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion in the draft.
Monroe Freeling's Joyful Draft Call with the Panthers
Caleb Lomu received a welcoming text from Will Campbell after being drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round. Lomu expressed excitement about joining the team and connecting with his new teammate.
Titans select Keldric Faulk from Auburn: 7 key facts to know!
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
The longtime Knight saved his best ball for 2025, where he attained First Team All-Big 12 honors behind a season featuring 28 tackles, seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and a pair of forced fumbles. Ranked 10th on UCFâs all-time sacks list, he was one of four FBS players to notch at least five sacks every season from 2023-25 â showing consistency over a prolonged period of time.
Lawrence was one of two UCF invites to the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, and his performance at Lucas Oil Stadium benefited his draft positioning. His elite speed was on full display with a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, and he excelled in the explosiveness categories with a 40-inch vertical and a 10-foot-10-inch broad jump.
The 6â4â, 253 defensive end offers impressive explosiveness and good bend off the edge, and these characteristics allowed him to warrant a first round draft selection. Lawrence joins a Cowboys group that tied for seventh-last in sacks last year with 35 â needing to fill a Micah Parsons-sized vacancy on defense. Dallas heavily addressed the edge rusher position this offseason, bringing in Rashan Gary from the Packers in the free agency in addition to drafting Lawrence.
Lawrenceâs selection extends UCFâs NFL Draft streak to three-straight seasons. The Knights are now 3-for-3 on producing a day one or two draft pick following seasons led by head coach Scott Frost.