UCF was projected to finish the 2024 football season in the middle of the conference with a solid season, but not anything spectacular. Well, their 2024 campaign certainly wasn't spectacular and it wasn't solid either. The Knights only won four games this season, breaking a streak started back in 2016 of postseason bowl game appearances.
With head coach Gus Malzahn gone and Scott Frost returning to his position with the Knights, UCF is hoping to leave 2024 behind them and looking forward to the 2025 season. However, for a few former Knights, 2025 will look a little different.
For a few Knights who are moving on for college football, they are preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft, but some were awaiting NFL Combine invites that just recently came.
What is the NFL Combine?
The NFL Combine is a four-day invitation-only event where the best and brightest draft-eligible players in college football come together to showcase their talents to all 32 NFL teams, scouts, and executives. The combine is held from February 27 through March 2 this year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, again, home to the Indianapolis Colts.
Not all draft-eligible players attend the NFL Combine as they must be presented with an invitation. Invitations are decided by a Player Selection Committee and voted on, the right number of votes warrant an invite, and only about 300 players attend the combine.
The Combine is more than just football drills as well. Players will also be tested mentally and medically to see if they are healthy and in the right mind to play in the NFL.
Which UCF players received and invite to the 2025 NFL Combine?
Four Knights received an invitation to the NFL Combine, including running back RJ Harvey, wide receiver Kobe Hudson, defensive back BJ Adams, and defensive back Mac McWilliams.
Combine Bound 🧳 pic.twitter.com/5ZikbP5ixu
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) February 13, 2025
Harvey by far was the best player for the Knights this season, often times carrying a struggling UCF offense on his back. Harvey finished with a career high 1,577 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Harvey was also a threat in the passing game with 267 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Hudson returned for one final season with the Knights but unfortunately suffered from a lack of quarterback play for most of the season. After eclipsing 900 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2023, Hudson had just 770 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024, but a lot of that was due to the lack of quality quarterback play for UCF.
Both Adams and McWilliams should be solid pickups for anyone who chooses to take a chance on them as they lead what was also a struggling UCF defense this season.