UCF's Carter, Kozlowski Graded as Top-10 Returning Big 12 LBs

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This offseason, UCF head coach Scott Frost did a good job of bringing back key contributors from last year's team and supplementing the roster through the transfer portal.

On defense, players like Jayden Bellamy and Lewis Carter, who were staples of last year's defensive effort, are returning with another year under their belt.

Cole Kozlowski's developing situation also seems like he will be getting an additional year of eligibility, allowing him to team back up with Carter in the middle.

On Monday, both players were graded within the top-10 returning linebackers in the Big 12 Conference, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ranked No. 8 and 9, Carter graded in at a 75.9 with Kozlowski just behind him (75.6).

The Knights were just one of two programs (Texas Tech) to have more than one representative on the list.

With another year of continuity and understanding of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's system, this tandem should be among the best in the conference.

In his first year with the program, Carter recorded 92 total tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, while serving as a vocal presence on the field.

In three of the final four games of the season, Carter recorded 12 or more tackles, doing so against top teams in the conference like Texas Tech, Houston, and BYU.

Heading into this season, he has been hailed as the clear leader on defense.

"Like Lew Carter is the clear leader on defense for us," Frost said at media day. "We didn't really have that a year ago either. The vocal guy out in front. I think guys like that are going to give us a a little bit easier path to hopefully some success."

Lining up next to Carter is Kowlowski, who is a tackle machine in his own right.

The senior linebacker totaled three double-digit tackle games throughout the year against Baylor, BYU and an 11-tackle, one-sack performance against the Mountaineers.

After recording 82 total tackles on the season, including two sacks and three pass deflections, Kozlowski was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team.

While preparing for the NFL Draft, where he eventually went undrafted, Kozlowski was one of three Knights to participate in the inaugural American Bowl.

Alongside Keli Lawson and Paul Rubelt, Kozlowski displayed his skills in front of various NFL scouts and legendary head coaches.

Following the bowl, Kozlowski sought an extra year of eligibility to return to UCF, but it was denied.

Now, he has a unique opportunity to perhaps make right on this denial and return to the program where he broke out within the Big 12 Conference.

This tandem not only produces on the field, but provides leadership and vocalism as the anchor of Grinch's unit.

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