UCF senior long snapper Alex Ward was named a third-team All-American by Phil Steele—while Ward and senior defensive end Big Kat Bryant both earned All-American Athletic Conference honors.
The Knights also had three second-team picks in offensive linemen Marcus Tatum and Lokahi Pauole and linebacker Tatum Bethune, two third-teamers in receiver Ryan O'Keefe and offensive guard Cole Schneider—plus four fourth-team selections in running back Johnny Richardson, linebacker Bryson Armstrong and safeties Divaad Wilson and Quadric Bullard.
Ward (Fort Walton Beach, Florida) was one of three finalists for the Patrick Mannelly Award as top long snapper in the nation.
Bryant (Cordele, Georgia) started every game at defensive end, made 50 tackles and paced UCF in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (14). He was one of UCF's four team captains for 2021.
Tatum (a senior from Daytona Beach, Florida) started all 12 games at left offensive tackle in 2021. Junior offensive guard Pauole (Kapolei, Hawaii) also opened in all 12 games.
Bethune (a junior from Miami, Florida) led the Knights in tackles in 2021 (with 101), ranking second in the AAC and 21st nationally with 9.2 tackles per game (including a career-high 18 in the regular-season finale versus South Florida).
O'Keefe (a junior from Austin, Texas) led UCF in receiving in 2021 (77 for 727, 6 TDs—most catches by a UCF player since 2006).
A four-year starter on the UCF offensive line, Schneider (a senior from Fort Myers, Florida) opened in all 12 games in 2021 and boasts 46 career starts for the Knights.
Richardson (a sophomore from Lake Wales, Florida) led UCF in rushing with 693 yards as well as all-purpose yards with 1,191. He averaged a gaudy 6.9 yards per rush.
Armstrong (a senior from Marietta, Georgia) led the Knights most of the season in tackles (finishing third on the team with 77) before suffering a season-ending injury in the 10th game versus SMU.
Bullard (a sophomore from Dania Beach, Florida) started all 12 games in 2021, finished second on the team in tackles with 78 and ranked third nationally with three fumble recoveries.
Wilson (a junior from Miami, Florida) started 11 games, finished fourth on the roster in tackles with 65 and shared the team lead with a pair of interceptions.
Bryant (first team), Tatum (honorable mention), Pauole (second team), Bethune (honorable mention), O'Keefe (second team), Schneider (honorable mention) and Wilson (second team) all were also honored on the All-AAC determined by vote of league coaches.
Pro Football Focus also recognized Tatum (honorable mention), Pauole (third team), Bethune (second team), O'Keefe (honorable mention), Schneider (second team), Bullard (second team) and Wilson (third team) on its All-AAC squad.