ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF football program will once again be well represented in the NFL when the 2017 season rolls around this fall and as of Wednesday, three more Knights will have the opportunity to live out their lifelong dreams after signing free agent contracts this week.
Drico Johnson, D.J. Killings, and T.J. Mutcherson all signed free agent contracts with NFL teams this week, giving UCF 21 former players on NFL squads as of Friday.
Johnson has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals, according to the team's official website. Killings has signed on with the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots, as reported by the Boston Globe. Mutcherson, has inked a free agent deal with the Houston Texans, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The group joins former Knight Shaquill Griffin in this year's crop of UCF players entering the NFL. Griffin was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of this past weekend's NFL Draft. He became UCF's 36th draftee and was the highest cornerback ever selected in the Pete Carroll era for the Seahawks.
With these free agent signings and Griffin's selection in the NFL Draft, each member of the Knights' entire starting secondary from 2016 are currently under contract with NFL teams.
Knights Entering the NFL
Draft Picks
DB, Shaquill Griffin – Seattle Seahawks – Third Round
Free Agents
DB, Drico Johnson – Arizona Cardinals
DB, D.J. Killings – New England Patriots
DB, T.J. Mutcherson – Houston Texans
Johnson impressed in his fifth and final season as a Knight in 2016, earning All-American Athletic Conference Honorable Mention honors. He finished the campaign with 63 tackles, two interceptions, six pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
The Orlando native set a UCF single game record in the Knights' win over Tulane on Nov. 5, scoring two defensive touchdowns. Johnson had one on an 86-yard interception return and a second on a 30-yard fumble recovery.
Killings had his best season yet as a Knight in 2016, starting all 13 games at cornerback. The Jacksonville, Fla., native was second on the team with three interceptions and finished with 42 tackles, three tackles for loss and 11 pass break-ups. Killings tied a UCF single game record himself with two interceptions at Houston.
A Tampa, Fla., native, Mutcherson enjoyed much success in his two seasons with the Knights after transferring from Iowa State. Starting all 13 games at safety, he totaled 73 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2016.
RISE AND CONQUER
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is just around the corner. Fans can explore all of the new ticket options at Spectrum Stadium by visiting WeRiseandConquer.com or calling (407) 823-1000.