Rubelt arrived in Orlando in 2020, appearing in 10 games as a freshman. He remained a Knight throughout his career, playing in 62 contests and starting in 22. The Frankfurt-Oder, Germany native saw the most snaps of any UCF offensive lineman in 2025, lining up for 641 plays. Rubelt played a big role off the field as well, spending time volunteering in the UCF community as well as serving as the president of UCF’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Kelly, a member of the Black and Gold for the past two seasons, made his mark rushing the passer during his time as a Knight. He tallied 8.5 of his 12.5 career sacks over the previous two campaigns along with tallying 17 of his 22.5 career tackles for loss with UCF. He forced five fumbles, including two in 2025 that were both returned for a touchdown. Kelly also added an interception against North Carolina, snatching a batted ball at the line of scrimmage. The Fort Lauderdale native was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention at season’s end.
Nixon put together quite a highlight reel in his one season as a Knight. Named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention as a kick returner, he ran a kickoff back for a touchdown in UCF’s second game of the season, the first kickoff return for a score since the 2017 season. In the same game against North Carolina A&T, Nixon tallied 156 rushing yards on four carries and two touchdowns, scores of 87 and 66 yards in length. He finished the campaign with seven rushing touchdowns, a team high for 2025.
One of UCF’s captains in 2025, Montgomery spent the final two seasons of his career as a Knight, tallying seven touchdowns and 998 yards. Of those yards, 705 came over his final 11 games with the Black and Gold. He posted back-to-back 100-yard outings, rushing for 119 yards on 10 carries against Kansas State before rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas. His 11.9 yards per rush at Kansas State ranked as the third best clip in a single game in program history. The Jacksonville native rushed for 75+ yards in seven contests in 2025.
Lawson finished his career on a high note, notching his first muti-sack game in his final collegiate contest with a pair at No. 11 BYU. At UCF for the final year of his career, Lawson blocked a field goal in his debut, soaring high above the line of scrimmage to block it with his elbow. He added a scoop-and-score on a fumble caused by Kelly in UCF’s blowout 45-13 Homecoming win over West Virginia. It was the second touchdown of his career, the other coming via a pick-six while he was with Virginia Tech. In all, Lawson collected 34 tackles, 25 of which were solo.
Ruelas was named All-Big 12 Third team and a Lou Groza semifinalist in 2025, earning a nod as one of the nation’s top 20 kickers. He was 15-for-17 on field goals, an 88.2% conversion rate which ranked 15th in the country. He became the first Knight in UCF’s FBS era (since 1996) to hit three field goals from 50 yards or further, tying his career long with a 54-yard field goal while also converting from 53 and 51. Ruelas made 11 straight field goals from the N.C. A&T game Sept. 6 through the road game at Baylor Nov. 1, earning a tie of fourth place for most consecutive field goals made in program history.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are on sale and can be purchased here! Be sure to be a part of all the action as the Knights play their 20th season in Acrisure Bounce House.
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.
