Over the weekend, UCF seniors Isaiah Bowser, Samuel Jackson, Anthony Montalvo, and Alex Ward announced that they would be returning to the Knights in 2022, utilizing their extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UCF head coach Gus Malzahn held a press conference on Sunday to talk about the four returning Knights, the roles they have played in the success of the UCF program, and how important they are moving forward into the 2022 season. Watch Malzahn's introduction of the players, as well as a question and answer session with the media below.
Bowser, the Knights' leader in rushes, rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns in 2021, appeared in only eight of 13 games last season due to injuries. The Sidney, Ohio native rushed 159 times for 703 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season with UCF after transferring from Northwestern. Watch Bowser's session with the media below.
Jackson has been at UCF since the 2017 season, having appeared in 53 games at four of the five positions on the offensive line. He is a four-time AAC All-Academic Team honoree and received honorable mention All-AAC honors from Pro Football Focus last season. Watch Jackson with the media below.
Montalvo, a former walk-on for the Knights, has also been at UCF since 2017 but saw his first action on the field during the 2018 season. Another multi-year AAC All-Academic Team honoree, he has started 22 times on the defensive line. Montalvo has racked up 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in his career. Watch his media session below.
Ward was a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award this past season, given annually to the top long snapper in the nation. A member of the UCF program since 2017, Ward began as the starting long snapper in 2019. He is a four-time AAC All-Academic Team honoree and was named third-team All-America by Phil Steele this past season. Watch Ward's meeting with the media below.
