It’s an exciting time for edge rushers at UCF as the NFL Draft approaches. With Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly both attending the 2026 NFL Combine, history was made.
The last time the Knights were represented at the defensive end position for the event was in 2011, when Bruce Miller was invited. 15 years later, Kelly and Lawrence marked the first time in UCF history that a pair of edge players worked out at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in front of NFL scouts.
Now with the Combine in the rear view, both players have their sights set on having their names called in Pittsburgh at the NFL Draft.
Malachi Lawrence is Expected to Go First
Lawrence has been projected to be selected as early as late in the first round on Thursday. His performance in the Combine (which featured a 4.52 40-yard dash) impressed many scouts, boosting his stock. However, the consensus is that he goes no later than the second or third rounds.
He finished with seven sacks on the season (5th in the Big 12 Conference) while also recording 11 tackles for loss. Analysts have expressed concerns about his ability to play the run, but there are too many NFL teams that need a rotational edge presence for him not to get a roster opportunity.
Nyjalik Kelly Has a Steeper Hill to Climb
Kelly’s stock is set as a day-three prospect that may fall out of the draft altogether. His 40-yard dash time of 4.88 at the Combine left a bad impression on scouts, creating the perception of a lack of explosiveness.
That said, UCF head coach Scott Frost told the media last week that Kelly got a late start preparing for the combine. This may explain why Kelly had a less-than-stellar showing in testing.
This could give an NFL club an opportunity to get a player with NFL-caliber size who could develop into a depth contributor or at least a special teams asset.
