UCF football transfer tracker: 6 Knights set to enter portal

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UCF wrapped up its first season under coach Scott Frost with a 5-7 record, the third consecutive losing season for the Knights and the second straight without a postseason appearance.

Players can’t officially enter the transfer portal until the 15-day window opens on Jan. 2 and closes on Jan. 16.

QB JACURRI BROWN

Vitals: 6-4, 220 pounds.

Resume: Brown was a four-star prospect out of Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga., where he completed 54% of his passes (366 of 681) for 5,504 yards with 51 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 53 games as a four-year starter. He signed with Miami in 2022, appearing in nine games with three starts, including Miami’s Pinstripe Bowl loss to Rutgers on Dec. 28, 2023, before transferring to UCF.

Role: The redshirt junior appeared in 12 games for the Knights over two seasons, passing for 495 yards with 6 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also rushed for 543 yards with 6 touchdowns.

Outlook: Brown appeared in just 3 games, missing the majority of this season with a shoulder injury. His departure, along with that of starter Tayven Jackson, leaves the Knights thin at quarterback.

TE KYLAN FOX

Vitals: 6-4, 229 pounds

Resume: Fox was the nation’s No. 18 athlete, according to 247Sports, and one of a handful of 4-star players to commit to Gus Malzahn’s 2024 recruiting class. A two-sport star at Grayson (Ga.) High, he excelled at football and basketball.

Role: The sophomore had 16 catches for 137 yards with a touchdown in 11 appearances (1 start) this season. He finished his career at UCF with 19 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown.

Outlook: As Dylan Wade emerged on the scene, Fox’s position shifted to that of a backup. This marked the second consecutive season he found himself in a supporting role, having previously backed up Randy Pittman Jr. in 2024.

CB JYAIRE BROWN

Vitals: 5-11, 177 pounds

Resume: The 4-star product from Lakota West (West Chester) High School in West Chester was the No. 11 overall player from Ohio and the No. 30 overall cornerback in the country, according to 247Sports.com. Brown signed with Ohio State as part of the 2022 recruiting class and spent two seasons with the Buckeyes before transferring to LSU in 2024 and UCF in 2025.

Role: Brown appeared in six games for the Knights at cornerback, taking the majority of his snaps against Houston and Texas Tech, finishing with 7 tackles and a pass breakup. He also appeared in 11 games on special teams.

Outlook: Cornerback is one spot on the roster with decent depth. Brown was called on later in the season due to injuries, but was more of a factor on special teams.

QB TAYVEN JACKSON

Vitals: 6-4, 190 pounds

Resume: A 4-star recruit, Jackson signed initially with Tennessee, appearing in three games before transferring to Indiana, where he appeared in 13 games with six starts in two seasons for the Hoosiers. He entered the portal once again, landing at UCF in January.

Role: Jackson, 21, started 10 games this season, completing 63% (200 of 325) of his passes for 2,151 yards with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also ran for 85 yards and 3 touchdowns on 54 carries.

Outlook: Jackson’s departure signifies a significant change in the quarterbacks’ room this offseason. Seniors Cam Fancher and Jacurri Brown are most likely gone, leaving the Knights with just Davi Belfort as the sole returnee from this past season.

S TONY WILLIAMS

Vitals: 6-1, 190 pounds

Resume: Williams was a 4-star prospect who signed with UCF as part of its 2025 recruiting class after spending time at Miami Central and Palm Beach Central.

Role: The Miami native appeared in one game against North Carolina A&T, registering one tackle in seven snaps for the Knights. He also appeared in the Oklahoma State game, playing on special teams.

Outlook: Williams didn’t see the field much this past season, but provided some much-needed depth at the safety spot.

S JAKOB GUDE

Vitals: 5-11, 182 pounds

Resume: Gude was among a handful of 4-star recruits to sign with the Knights under former coach Gus Malzahn. He recorded 52 tackles with 5 for loss over the past two seasons at Langston Hughes High in Georgia. He had 3 sacks, an interception and 4 passes defended.

Role: Gude primarily played on special teams in his two seasons with the Knights. He appeared in two games in two seasons at safety, registering an assist on a tackle.

Outlook: The safety spot will return several veterans, so Gude’s role would have been more in a backup capacity.

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

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