Judge grants UCF linebacker Cole Kozlowski eligibility for 2026 season

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UCF may have some much-needed help coming.

Cole Kozlowski was granted a temporary injunction in his lawsuit against the NCAA, allowing him an additional year of eligibility. Florida Ninth Circuit Court Judge John D. Beemer made the ruling on Friday, opening the door for the New Jersey linebacker to return to the field for the Knights.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound fifth-year linebacker was the team’s second-leading tackler last season.

He transferred to UCF after spending four seasons at Colgate, where he earned first-team All-Patriot League honors in 2024. In 2025, Kozlowski earned third-team All-Big 12 honors and finished the season with 82 tackles.

Despite a strong season, he went undrafted during April’s NFL Draft.

When U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeny ruled against the NCAA and granted a preliminary injunction allowing all Class of 2022 athletes an extra year of eligibility, the ruling opened the door for Kozlowski to return to UCF.

That ruling, however, was later stayed after a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in late August.

This latest legal move isn’t final, with the NCAA expected to appeal, but for now, Kozlowski seems one step closer to reuniting with the Knights.

“I don’t know the final outcome on that yet, but it looks good right now,” UCF coach Scott Frost said on Monday. “There’s another hearing, from what I’ve been told. He’s eligible to play now and we’ll certainly get him involved in practice and see where he fits in. Any reinforcements help right now with the number of guys we’ve got nicked up.”

With injuries sidelining linebackers Lewis Carter and Jayden Jennings, Kozlowski’s return could significantly strengthen the unit.

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said Kozlowski has been working with the scout team while waiting for the latest ruling.

“He’s played some scout team tight end for us and some of those things in previous weeks, because you just can’t waste reps,” Grinch said. “(Linebackers) Coach (Mark) D’Onofrio has been working with him to turn him back into a linebacker in hopes we get him in the game at some point.

“We hope it’s sooner rather than later.”

Grinch first learned of Kozlowksi’s latest court ruling while in Houston this past weekend for the Knights’ game against the Cougars.

“Somebody said Cole’s eligible and our initial reaction was to get him on a plane to Houston,” Grinch said jokingly. “That obviously was not realistic.”

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There is no timeline for Kozlowski’s return, but it will depend on whether he’s physically and mentally ready to step back on the field.

Kozlowski, meanwhile, has been ingratiating himself with his teammates, including newcomers like Tackett Curtis and Jahleel Culbreath.

“Cole’s been a great help,” said Culbreath. “He’s been in all the meetings and he’s been in practice helping us out. He’s like a player-coach. He was also a scout team player for us, giving us the best looks he could, which helped us out a lot.

“He’s been around the team and the guys. He’s built that brotherhood with the new guys that came in, so we’re excited to get him back.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram at @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

Up next

What: UCF (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) at No. 18 Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0 Big 12)
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater
TV: ESPN2
Favorite: OSU by 9.5 points

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