ORLANDO – A trio of members of the UCF football team were named to Phil Steele’s 2026 Preseason Big 12 Teams. Lewis Carter received Second Team honors while Jayden Bellamy was named to the Third Team and Antione Jackson earned a Fourth Team nod.
Carter led the Knights in tackles during the 2025 season, tallying a career-high 92 tackles, 52 of which were solo. Tabbed as All-Big 12 Honorable Mention at season’s end, Carter caused problems for opposing offense all season long. He forced a fumble on the first play of the final game of the season, knocking No. 11 BYU back on its opening drive, making way for UCF to pull to an early 14-0 lead. Carter finished the campaign by recording a dozen or more tackles in three of the final four contests, chalking up 13 vs. Houston (Nov. 7), 12 at No. 6 Texas Tech (Nov. 15) and 12 at No. 11 BYU (Nov. 29). Additionally, he finished the year with four games with double-digit tackles, adding 10 in the 34-9 win over North Carolina (Sep. 20).
Bellamy started at cornerback in all 12 of UCF’s contests last season, also his first as a Knight. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable mention after leading the Black and Gold with a career-high eight pass breakups. He snagged an interception in the season opener against Jacksonville State, snagging a pass near the sideline to ice the first win of the campaign. Bellamy iced the home finale as well, tipping a ball that was intercepted to seal a come-from-behind victory over Oklahoma State. He tallied three or more tackles in six contests, including a season-high five at No. 6 Texas Tech (Nov. 15).
In his second season with UCF, Antione Jackson made impacts on defense and special teams in 2025. He suited up for each of the Knights’ 12 games, recording 39 tackles, good enough for seventh on the team. He recorded a career-best five pass breakups including one in three consecutive games (Houston, Nov. 7; at No. 6 Texas Tech, Nov. 15; Oklahoma State, Nov. 22). Jackson is listed on the Phil Steele’s 2026 Preseason Big 12 Fourth Team as a punt returner, a nod to his remarkable punt return numbers. He returned 16 punts for 188 yards, earning an average of 11.8 yards per return, a mark that was best in the Big 12 and 17th in the nation. That mark was the highest clip by a Knight since 2019 when Otis Anderson averaged 13.2 per return in 2019.
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.