Knights in the Pros Update: Eight Former Knights on NFL Playoff RostersKnights in the Pros Update: Eight Former Knights on NFL Playoff Rosters

Knights in the Pros Update: Eight Former Knights on NFL Playoff Rosters

ORLANDO – With the NFL regular season coming to an end, eight former UCF stars will be competing in the NFL playoffs.

In the AFC, Jordan Franks, a running back, and Matthew Wright, a kicker, are both members of the Kansas City Chiefs. Wright, who kicked for both the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers this year, finished the season with 15-18 on field goals made, and made all 15 of his extra-point attempts. The Chiefs finished the regular season with a 14-3 record to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC and they have a bye this weekend.

Gabriel Davis and the Buffalo Bills will be going into the playoffs with the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Davis, a wide receiver, has 48 receptions for 836 yards (both career highs) with seven touchdowns, and started every game he played. The 13-3 Bills will play the Miami Dolphins in Buffalo on Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.

The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans on Saturday to claim the AFC's No. 4 seed. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin played five games this year for the Jaguars, before being placed on Injured reserve with a back injury. The 9-8 Jaguars will host the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. on NBC.

In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers clinched the No. 2 seed with a 13-4 record. Kalia Davis, a rookie defensive tackle, was placed on Injured reserve before the season, as he recovers from an ACL injury. The 49ers will be home against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on FOX.

The Minnesota Vikings will be the third seed in the NFC with a 13-4 record. Tay Gowan, a second-year cornerback, played three games on special teams for Minnesota. The Vikings will play the sixth-seeded New York Giants, who finished the year with a 9-7-1 record. Giants' cornerback Aaron Robinson started two games for New York, but missed the rest of the season with an ACL and MCL tear. New York will travel to Minnesota for a Sunday matchup at 4:30 p.m. on FOX.

Breshad Perriman and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the NFC South and fourth seed. Perriman, in his third season with the Buccaneers, caught nine receptions for 110 yards, with one touchdown. Tampa Bay hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN/ABC.

Other Varsity Knights stood out on non-playoff contending teams. Second-year safety Richie Grant finished the year with 123 total tackles (fourth most by a safety), seven passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one punt blocked for the Atlanta Falcons. Grant also led Atlanta with 1117 defensive snaps played, which accounted for 99.55% of the team's total defensive snaps.


Jordan Akins, a tight end for the Houston Texans, finished the season with a career high in yards (495), touchdowns (5), and yards per reception (13.4). Akins also tied his career high in receptions, with 37. Akins had a big game in Houston's season finale, catching four receptions for 70 yards, with two touchdowns. Akins' final touchdown would be the game winner, as Houston defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 32-31.


UCF Hall of Fame running back Latavius Murray finished his ninth season with 760 rushing yards, 132 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. In Denver's week 18 win over the Chargers, Murray ran for 103 yards on 15 carries, caught one ball for 15 yards, and ran for a touchdown in the first quarter.


Murray started off the season as a member of the New Orleans Saints' practice squad. After playing one game for the Saints, Murray was then signed by the Broncos, where he appeared in 12 games, and became the starting running back for the final seven games of the season. Murray also made history, as he became the first player to score a rushing touchdown for two different teams in London during the same season (per @NFLResearch on twitter).