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The seventh in an occasional position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into the offseason:
What to expect
Among all the defensive units, the linebacker position experienced the most significant transformation during the offseason. With the departures of key starters like Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace, Xe’ree Alexander, and Jesiah Pierre, the position has essentially been reset.
The coaching staff leaned heavily on the transfer market, bringing in veterans such as Lewis Carter, Cole Kozlowski and Keli Lawson. Those players are expected to play major roles in 2025, along with transfers Jayden McDonald and returners Kam Moore and TJ Bullard.
Transfer Phil Picciotti was injured throughout spring camp, while Malakhi Boone is a midyear arrival who looks to make up ground during fall camp.
What they’re saying
“A smart guy. What I mean is he’s a smart football player with a high football IQ and loud on tape. You can see him very animated. He runs the show. He’s communicating. He’s keeping everybody at ease in terms of the line and the back end. I want a guy that’s tough, both physically and mentally tough. You can see him. I want a guy that plays hard and someone who finishes.” — UCF linebackers coach Mark D’Onofrio on what he looks for in a linebacker.
On Roster
Kam Moore, redshirt junior
TJ Bullard, redshirt junior
Quentin Hatch, redshirt junior
Troy Ford Jr., redshirt sophomore
Arrivals
Phil Picciotti (Oklahoma), redshirt sophomore
Lewis Carter (Oklahoma), junior
Cole Kozlowski (Colgate), senior
Keli Lawson (Virginia Tech), redshirt senior
Jayden McDonald (Virginia Tech), redshirt junior
Malakhi Boone (Bushnell), freshman
Departures
Xe’ree Alexander
Deshawn Pace
Jesiah Pierre
Ethan Barr
Camden Vining
Keeron Henderson
Andrew Harris
DJ McCormick
Quinten Johnson
Qua Birdsong
Projected depth chart (offseason)
LB — Keli Lawson | Cole Kozlowski
LB — Lewis Carter | Jayden McDonald
Previous
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Defensive line
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
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TODAY: LINEBACKERS
What to expect
Among all the defensive units, the linebacker position experienced the most significant transformation during the offseason. With the departures of key starters like Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace, Xe’ree Alexander, and Jesiah Pierre, the position has essentially been reset.
The coaching staff leaned heavily on the transfer market, bringing in veterans such as Lewis Carter, Cole Kozlowski and Keli Lawson. Those players are expected to play major roles in 2025, along with transfers Jayden McDonald and returners Kam Moore and TJ Bullard.
Transfer Phil Picciotti was injured throughout spring camp, while Malakhi Boone is a midyear arrival who looks to make up ground during fall camp.
What they’re saying
“A smart guy. What I mean is he’s a smart football player with a high football IQ and loud on tape. You can see him very animated. He runs the show. He’s communicating. He’s keeping everybody at ease in terms of the line and the back end. I want a guy that’s tough, both physically and mentally tough. You can see him. I want a guy that plays hard and someone who finishes.” — UCF linebackers coach Mark D’Onofrio on what he looks for in a linebacker.
On Roster
Kam Moore, redshirt junior
TJ Bullard, redshirt junior
Quentin Hatch, redshirt junior
Troy Ford Jr., redshirt sophomore
Arrivals
Phil Picciotti (Oklahoma), redshirt sophomore
Lewis Carter (Oklahoma), junior
Cole Kozlowski (Colgate), senior
Keli Lawson (Virginia Tech), redshirt senior
Jayden McDonald (Virginia Tech), redshirt junior
Malakhi Boone (Bushnell), freshman
Departures
Xe’ree Alexander
Deshawn Pace
Jesiah Pierre
Ethan Barr
Camden Vining
Keeron Henderson
Andrew Harris
DJ McCormick
Quinten Johnson
Qua Birdsong
Projected depth chart (offseason)
LB — Keli Lawson | Cole Kozlowski
LB — Lewis Carter | Jayden McDonald
Previous
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive line
Defensive line
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Continue reading...
