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Eleven UCF Knights have made the watch list for the 2027 East-West Shrine Bowl, the oldest postseason All-Star college football game.

EDGEs Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly were on the West roster last season. Lawrence impressed during practices and the game, as he was named to West All-Practice team.

John Blair, quarterbacks coach and author of NFL Draft Notebook, said Lawrence’s performance during the East-West Shrine Bowl week helped raised his draft stock. UCF’s star EDGE became the highest-ranked defensive player in program history, 23rd by the Dallas Cowboys.

Here are the 11 Knights named to the 2027 East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List.

Alonza Barnett III

Barnett was arguably the most impactful transfer addition for UCF. Coach Scott Frost landed his starting quarterback for next season, who has College Football Playoff experience.

He dissected No. 5 Oregon’s defense in James Madison’s 51-34 defeat. Barnett threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, and added one rushing touchdown.

Ty Bartrum

Bartrum is bringing his high-level Ivy League play from Harvard to UCF. He led the Crimson to the FCS playoffs in the league’s first eligible season.

The Harvard transfer totaled 83 tackles (27 solo), two forced fumbles, an interception and three pass breakups last season.

Jayden Bellamy

Bellamy has consistently graded out as one of the best Big 12 cornerbacks by Pro Football and Sports Network. He was first in most forced incompletions with 11 and finished as the sixth-ranked cornerback in the Big 12 with an 85.1 rating.

Lewis Carter

Carter blossomed in his first season in Orlando after transferring from Oklahoma. He led the team in tackles with 92 and was a team captain throughout the year. UCF went winless of the road, and Carter is looking forward to improving that record next season.

Thomas Collins

Collins transferred from Oklahoma State after starting all 12 games for the Cowboys. He recorded 30 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, six hurries and two pass breakups.

Preston Cushman

Cushman was the most available offensive lineman for UCF last season, playing 751 snaps. He ended the season with a 63.1 Pro Football Focus grade, which was the fourth-best on the team in his position group.

Josh Derry

Derry topped the highest-graded returning Big 12 wide receivers list with an 89.9 rating. The Monmouth transfer gives UCF its first proven 1,000-yard receiver since Javon Baker in 2023 after compiling 1,123 yards (14.78 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns on 76 receptions en route to an All-CAA First Team honor.

Demari Henderson

Henderson is part of a senior-laden defensive back unit. He was the team's third-leading tackler with a career high mark of 61 (42 solo) last season.

RJ Jackson Jr.

Jackson is a key returner for UCF interior pass rush, as he tallied 33 tackles, including a career-best 13 solo stops. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention last season.

Horace Lockett

Lockett’s return to the program was a roller coaster. He said he entered the transfer portal because his mother was dealing with health complications, but ultimately chose to stay with the Knights. A torn pectoral muscle ended his season early, but he was en route to have a career season after recording his first career sack against Jacksonville State.

Dylan Wade

Wade is no surprise on this list after he set a program record for a UCF tight end. He hauled in 43 catches for 523 yards and five touchdowns on the season, all career highs for the Orlando native.

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