ORLANDO – Ahead of the 2025 UCF football campaign, defensive end Nyjalik Kelly and running back Jaden Nixon have been named to Phil Steele’s Preseason Big 12 Second Team while offensive lineman Paul Rubelt was named to the Third Team, the publication announced this week.
Kelly’s preseason honor comes after an impactful 2024 as a Knight, tallying 5.5 sacks and 53 tackles after appearing in all 12 of UCF’s contests. He finished the year on a high note, tallying a pair of sacks against Utah just after earning nine tackles and a sack against West Virginia the game prior. He added three forced fumbles to his junior season resume in his first campaign donning the Black and Gold.
Nixon is set to embark on his first season in Orlando after an impressive campaign at Western Michigan. A rising redshirt senior, the Las Colina, Texas native chewed through defenses for 921 rushing yards on 143 carries. He added 77 receiving yards and totaled 12 all-purpose touchdowns over the course of the Broncos’ 13-game slate. He finished fifth in the MAC in rushing.
Rubelt started every game at right tackle for the Knights in the 2024 season. He graded out to a 78.7% clip in pass blocking, the second best among starters. He helped the Knights finish fifth nationally and lead the Big 12 Conference in rushing offense at 248.1 per game. The Frankfurt-Oder, Germany native has been a Knight since 2020.
About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.