Knights Dazzle for NFL Scouts at Big 12 Pro DaysKnights Dazzle for NFL Scouts at Big 12 Pro Days

Knights Dazzle for NFL Scouts at Big 12 Pro Days

by Adam Widman
Full Results

Please note: Final results and times from Friday's workouts are still being tabulated and will be updated as soon as they are available.

FRISCO, Texas -- Former UCF football players made a statement at the 2025 Big 12 Pro Days, held from March 18-21 at The Star in Frisco, Texas. With NFL scouts and executives watching closely, 17 UCF players showcased their speed, strength, and skill, proving they belong at the next level.

The event was structured to maximize each player's opportunity to impress NFL personnel. Wednesday featured offensive and defensive linemen and linebackers, as they demonstrated power, agility, and technique in various drills. Thursday was dedicated to quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive backs, highlighting speed, vision, and coverage skills. Friday focused on specialists, giving kickers, punters, and long snappers a chance to showcase their precision and consistency.

With nearly 300 NFL personnel in attendance and national coverage from the NFL Network, Knight players took full advantage of this prime opportunity to elevate their draft stock.

The Knights’ Pro Day performances have set the stage for an exciting draft season, as UCF continues to build its reputation as a program that develops NFL-caliber talent.

Note: Not all UCF players participated in every event, as RJ Harvey, Kobe Hudson, BJ Adams, and Mac McWilliams had already recorded times and results at the NFL Combine last month.

Highlights from the event included:

  • Running backs Peny Boone and Johnny Richardson were the fastest among all Big 12 running backs in both the Shuttle and 3-Cone drills, displaying elite agility and explosiveness.
  • Boone also posted the fourth-best max speed among RBs and WRs in the 3-Cone drill at 15.09 mph.
  • Richardson (4.59) and Boone (4.69) also finished in the Top 8 among running backs in the 40-yard dash.  
  • Linebacker/defensive back Deshawn Pace clocked an impressive 4.55 in the 40-yard dash, reinforcing his reputation as a versatile defensive weapon. His time was the second-fastest among Big 12 linebackers at Pro Days.
  • Pace also clocked the fastest max acceleration and ninth-best among all players with 5.56 (YD/S²).
  • Tight end Evan Morris tied for first overall among all players with 31 reps on the bench press.
  • Defensive back Ladarius Tennison led all DBs with 20 reps on the bench press.
  • Other Knight linebackers also showed their strength, with Ethan Barr (22 reps), Jesiah Pierre (19 reps), and Deshawn Pace (17 reps) putting up solid bench press numbers.
  • Long snapper Gage King posted 5.09 40-yard dash, the second best among all specialists. 

Full List of UCF Participants:

Defensive Line: Ricky Barber, Daylan Dotson
Linebackers: Ethan Barr, Jesiah Pierre, Deshawn Pace
Defensive Backs: BJ Adams, Sheldon Arnold II, Quadric Bullard, Mac McWilliams, Ladarius Tennison
Wide Receivers: Kobe Hudson, Jacoby Jones
Running Backs: Peny Boone, Johnny Richardson
Offensive Line: Amari Kight
Tight End: Evan Morris
Specialists: Gage King

All eyes now turn to the 2025 NFL Draft, set to take place April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Which of these former Knights will hear their name called on draft night?

UCF Football’s official Twitter account (@UCF_Football) captured all the excitement, posting highlights and celebrating the players' performances throughout the event.