ORLANDO – Seven UCF football student-athletes have been named to the Phil Steele 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the publication announced Wednesday. Wide receiver Kobe Hudson, defensive tackle Lee Hunter and defensive end Malachi Lawrence earned a spot on the first team, while running back RJ Harvey and linebacker Deshawn Pace were second-team selections along with long snapper Gage King. Xavier Townsend garnered a spot on the third team as a punt returner.
Nationally known as one of the best football analysts in the country, Phil Steele is best known for his preseason magazine, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of every FBS college football team. Steele’s knowledge has landed him on the voting committee for every major postseason award, including the Heisman Trophy.
Hudson was tabbed an honorable mention pick on the All-Big 12 team chosen by league coaches last season. He was the Knights’ second-leading receiver with 44 receptions for 900 yards and eight TDs, tied for the third most receiving TDs in the conference. The Pine Mountain, Georgia, native was sixth in the Big 12 in receiving yards (69.2 per game) last season and fourth in the league and seventh in the nation in yards per catch (20.45).
Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, Hunter was also an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2023 after finishing the season with 69 tackles, the third most on the team. Hunter had more tackles than any other defensive tackle in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus. He had 38 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.
On the edge, Lawrence was fifth in the Big 12 in sacks with 7.5 and that mark also ranked among the nation’s best to secure honorable mention honors from the Big 12’s coaches. The Louisville, Kentucky, product had 27 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 15 hurries.
Harvey turned in a special 2023 season, headlined by being a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation’s best collegiate running back. Harvey’s historic season saw the Orlando native rush for 1,416 rushing yards to become the first Knights running back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Greg McCrae in 2018. His 16 rushing TDs tied for second in a single season at UCF and only five FBS players scored more regular-season rushing touchdowns. Harvey tallied five consecutive 100-yard rushing games from the Kansas to the Oklahoma State games, becoming just the second running back in program history to accomplish the feat in as many games, joining UCF Hall of Famer Kevin Smith. Over his last eight games, he rushed for 1,038 yards to end the season. The Orlando native garnered Phil Steele Second Team All-Big 12 honors last year following the season.
Pace joined the Knights in January after leading Cincinnati's defense with 80 tackles, which was 11th in the Big 12 in 2023. He also logged a team-high 11 tackles for loss and was second in passes broken up with six. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native was named an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection following the season.
At long snapper, King was among the conference's best at his position and did not have a bad snap, while Townsend had 142 punt return yards in 2023 to earn the selection at punt returner.
The Knights open their 2024 campaign against New Hampshire at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in the first meeting between the programs.