ORLANDO – Richie Grant became the 43rd UCF football player to hear his name called at the NFL Draft on Friday, when the Knight was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft, 40th overall, to the Atlanta Falcons.
WATCH RICHIE GRANT'S UCF HIGHLIGHTS
Grant left UCF as one of the most highly decorated Knights, earning first-team all-conference honors from the American Athletic Conference three consecutive years, receiving unanimous distinction as a senior in 2020.
A starter at safety in 33 games in three seasons, Grant garnered honorable mention All-America accolades from Phil Steele and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2020.
Grant totaled 291 tackles in his career, ranking fourth in UCF history with seven forced fumbles and fifth with 10 career interceptions. His six interceptions in 2018 ranked third in the nation and had over 100 tackles during his sophomore season.
He is now the 29th UCF player to be drafted since 2003, the eighth Knight to be taken in the first two rounds, and the 11th UCF defensive back to be drafted into the NFL.
Grant is the second Knight to be drafted by the Falcons, joining Kemal Ishmael, who went in the seventh round to Atlanta in 2013. It marks the highest a UCF safety has ever been selected.
UCF in the NFL Draft Notes
- 43 Players Drafted all-time since 1987
- 1 player drafted in 15 of last 16 drafts
- 22 players drafted since 2008
- 29 players drafted since 2003
- 4 players drafted in the first round
- 4 players drafted in the second round
- 8 players drafted in the first two rounds, 5 since 2014
- 11 players drafted in the third round
- 19 players drafted in the first three rounds, 8 since 2014, 11 since 2010
- 6 Top 100 picks since 2017
- 20 Top 100 picks all-time since 1987
- 11 defensive backs have been drafted, 6 since 2012
UCF Defensive Backs in the NFL Draft
- Richie Grant (20201 – 2nd Round, 40th, Atlanta Falcons)
- Mike Hughes (2018 – 1st Round, 30th, Minnesota Vikings)
- Shaquill Griffin (2017 – 3rd Round, 90th, Seattle Seahawks)
- Clayton Geathers (2015 – 4th Round, 109th, Indianapolis Colts)
- Kemal Ishmael (2013 – 7th Round, 243rd, Atlanta Falcons)
- Josh Robinson (2012 – 3rd Round, 66th, Minnesota Vikings)
- Joe Burnett (2009 – 5th Round, 168th, Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Asante Samuel (2003 – 4th Round, 120th, New England Patriots)
- Travis Fisher (2002 – 2nd Round, 64th, St. Louis Rams)
- Paul Miranda (1999 – 4th Round, 96th, Indianapolis Colts)
- Ray Irvin (1991 – 9th Round, 240th, Cleveland Browns)
- Corris Ervin (1988 – 5th Round, 136th, Denver Broncos)