ORLANDO – Ahead of its third season in the Big 12 Conference, UCF football head coach Scott Frost, defensive end Nyjalik Kelly, offensive lineman Paul Rubelt, running back Myles Montgomery, and linebacker Keli Lawson will preview the 2025 football season at Big 12 Football Media Days presented by Microsoft Copilot on July 8 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Frost and the quartet of Knights will meet with media members and television broadcast partners throughout the day on Tuesday and will appear on national TV at various points during the event. UCF will be joined on day one by players and head coaches from Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State and Texas Tech. Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma State, TCU, Utah and West Virginia will follow on July 9 (full schedule listed below).
After an unforgettable two-year run that saw the UCF football program rise to national prominence, Frost returns to Orlando looking to rekindle that success. Known for sparking the “Charge On” spirit and guiding UCF to its first perfect season, Frost was named the next head football coach at UCF by Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir in early December, agreeing to a five-year contract through the 2029 season.
Kelly enters his second season as a Knight and is already receiving high praise ahead of the 2025 campaign. He was recently named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team. Kelly’s preseason recognition comes after an impactful 2024 season in which he tallied 5.5 sacks and 53 tackles while appearing in all 12 of UCF’s contests. He finished the year strong, recording a pair of sacks against Utah following a nine-tackle, one-sack performance against West Virginia the week prior. He also added three forced fumbles to his impressive junior season résumé—his first campaign donning the Black and Gold.
Rubelt started every game at right tackle for the Knights in the 2024 season. His efforts earned him a spot on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team. He graded out at a 78.7% clip in pass blocking, the second-best mark among UCF starters. Rubelt helped anchor an offensive line that led the Big 12 and ranked fifth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 248.1 yards per game. The Frankfurt-Oder, Germany native has been a Knight since 2020.
Montgomery joined the Knights in 2024 after spending three seasons at conference rival Cincinnati. The rising redshirt senior saw action in 10 games last season, carrying the ball 51 times for 293 yards. He found the end zone four times—three rushing touchdowns and one receiving. He also earned the team’s top run-blocking grade at 79.8. Montgomery enters the 2025 season with 841 career rushing yards.
Lawson prepares for his first season in Orlando as a rising redshirt senior after spending his collegiate career at Virginia Tech. In 2024, he appeared in 11 games for the Hokies, earning one start while recording 40 tackles, including 20 solo stops. The linebacker also made his presence felt in pass coverage, breaking up four passes and grabbing an interception against Georgia Tech.
The Knights open their 2025 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. when they host Jacksonville State in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The contest at Acrisure Bounce House will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Big 12 Media Days Schedule — July 8-9
Tuesday, July 8
Arizona State and Head Coach Kenny Dillingham
Baylor and Head Coach Dave Aranda
BYU and Head Coach Kalani Sitake
UCF and Head Coach Scott Frost
Cincinnati and Head Coach Scott Satterfield
Iowa State and Head Coach Matt Campbell
Kansas State and Head Coach Chris Klieman
Texas Tech and Head Coach Joey McGuire
Wednesday, July 9
Arizona and Head Coach Brent Brennan
Colorado and Head Coach Deion Sanders
Houston and Head Coach Willie Fritz
Kansas and Head Coach Lance Leipold
Oklahoma State and Head Coach Mike Gundy
TCU and Head Coach Sonny Dykes
Utah and Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
West Virginia and Head Coach Rich Rodriguez