Barnett, Wade, Bellamy Highlight UCF's 2027 Shriner's Bowl Watch List

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Ever since 1925, the East West Shrine Bowl, or Shriner's Bowl, has featured some of the top collegiate talents in the country, with multiple UCF Knights recently participating.

Malachi Lawrence, who ended up being taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is the most notable recent participant, as his strong performance helped his stock rise more than perhaps any other first rounder.

John Blair, quarterbacks coach and author of NFL Draft Notebook, was thoroughly impressed with Lawrence's reps at the Bowl.

"UCF DE Malachi Lawrence flashed strong burst in 1-on-1s today at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He posted 11 TFLs and 7 sacks last season and is clearly boosting his NFL Draft Stock this week."

But, this year, UCF has multiple players with their eyes set on playing at the next level, with 11 Knights being named to the Shriner's Bowl watchlist on Monday.

Among the players to look out for are Alonza Barnett III, Ty Bartrum, Jayden Bellamy, Lewis Carter, Thomas Collins, Preston Cushman, Josh Derry, Demari Henderson, RJ Jackson Jr., Horace Lockett, and Dylan Wade.

For a brief snapshot of each player, check out Roundtable's Demetrius Montero's recent piece.

Barnett and Wade highlight the watchlist, as both players are coming off stellar showings last season.

Wade, who's 43 receptions for 523 yards and five touchdowns all set program records for his position in 2025, is one of the top returning tight ends in the Big 12.

All season long, Wade was a reliable target for starting quarterback Tayven Jackson, who praised the star TE in a press conference in late November.

"He's an athletic tight end. He reads the defense well and he plays in space and he plays the grass. He's not a receiver who will run the route like our install picture tells him too," Jackson said. "He'll just run to space and I feel I have a connection with him and I know what he is going to do and he gets the job done."

Barnett joins UCF after an impressive run to the College Football Playoff with James Madison, where he lit up the Oregon defense for over 310 total yards and three touchdowns.

Throughout the game, Barnett displayed his ability to extend plays and push the ball downfield, using his arm strength and escapability to keep the Dukes in it.

On defense, Bellamy is the highlight, as the former Syracuse Orange recorded 27 total tackles, while serving as a ball hawk in defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's scheme, defending eight passes and snagging one interception.

In February, Bellamy was graded as the fifth-best returning cornerback in the FBS, coming in at an 88.9 for his performance last year, according to PFSN College.

Lockett and Jackson are two interesting players as well, as they hope to bring some more consistency to the interior of UCF's defensive line.

Lockett missed most of last season due to injury, but remains one of the most-experienced players on the Knights' defense.

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