ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF football team, led by first-year and second-time head coach Scott Frost, opened fall camp Monday morning at the Wayne Densch Practice Complex as preparations began for Year 3 in the Big 12 Conference.
With more than 60 new faces on the roster between freshmen and transfers, the Knights kicked off the day inside the Nicholson Fieldhouse to limit exposure to the sweltering Florida summer heat, which pushed the heat index close to 110 degrees Monday. After about 30 minutes indoors, the team transitioned outside for another 90 minutes of high-tempo competition in the sun.
Frost addressed reporters yesterday on report day and stressed that while the roster has undergone major turnover, the enthusiasm and willingness to compete have been evident early on.
“We’ve made a lot of strides (since the spring),” Frost said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we compete with what we have. We’re almost a completely new team with not a lot of expectations. I think our guys have a little bit of a chip on their shoulders and are anxious to get to work so they can prove to people that they’re going to be better than what people are expecting, and I’m looking forward to competing with this group of guys.”
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) July 28, 2025
Following practice Monday, several veteran players spoke with the media about the day’s energy and the challenge of bringing a new-look roster together. Defensive tackle John Walker, back healthy after a leg injury last season, emphasized leadership and cohesion.
“It’s early, but you can feel guys buying in,” Walker said. “We’ve got a new group, and it’s on us to establish the standard.”
Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence echoed the excitement and focus coming out of Day 1. “It was great. The energy out there was good, and we got after it today,” he said.
On the offensive side, transfer running back Jaden Nixon, a veteran presence in the backfield who was also named to the Maxwell Award watch list on Monday, spoke about the importance of chemistry and the urgency of his final collegiate season.
“It’s about coming together as a team. We have a whole bunch of new guys,” Nixon said. “I really just want to come together as a team, go out there and win some games, and leave a legacy.”
The Knights will continue fall camp throughout the coming weeks as they ramp up toward their season opener on Thursday, August 28, when they host Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. inside Acrisure Bounce House.