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UCF defensive tackle Kalia Davis, who was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers this past weekend, isn’t the only member of Gus Malzahn’s 2022 squad headed to the pros.
Following the completion of the three-day event, four Knights signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents: wide receiver Brandon Johnson with the Denver Broncos; offensive lineman Cole Schneider with the Green Bay Packers; defensive end Big Kat Bryant with the Dallas Cowboys; and offensive tackle Marcus Tatum with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Davis is projected to sign a four-year rookie deal with San Fransisco that’s worth $3.8 million and includes a $132,014 signing bonus according to Spotrac.
While Davis has a strong chance of making the team’s final roster come the end of training camp thanks to his draft status, the undrafted free agents from UCF will have to work hard to avoid getting cut.
A graduate transfer from Tennessee, Johnson had a career season in his one year in Orlando. After recording one touchdown in five years in Knoxville, he caught 11 touchdown passes in 13 games played at UCF.
The South Florida native recorded career highs in catches (38) and receiving yards (568) as well.
Tatum also came to UCF after graduating from Tennessee. The Daytona Beach native became a key piece to UCF’s offensive line the last two years appearing in all 23 games with 18 starts.
A second-team all-conference pick by college football expert Phil Steele, Tatum earned honorable mention all-conference accolades from the AAC coaches as well.
Similar to Johnson, Bryant also spent just one season at UCF. Bryant, a second-team All-SEC pick in 2020, made a big impression after following Malzahn from Auburn to the Orlando school.
Bryant earned first-team all-conference honors after leading UCF with 14.0 tackles for loss and six sacks. A team captain at both Auburn and UCF, he totaled 52 tackles along with 10 quarterback hurries last season.
While Bryant, Tatum and Johnson all transferred to UCF, Schneider became a mainstay for the Knights over the course of his five-year collegiate career.
After taking a redshirt in 2017, Schneider went on to play in 49 games for UCF the next four years starting in all but two.
He received all-conference honors each season he played earning first-team accolades in 2018 and 2020.
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
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