The University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights football team has a rich history of success, having won numerous conference championships and made multiple appearances in the College Football Playoff. The program has produced a long list of talented players who have gone on to successful careers in the NFL. Here are the top 10 Knights UCF players of all time:
1. Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper is one of the most successful quarterbacks in UCF history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 1999. Culpepper was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 11th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful NFL career, making three Pro Bowls and leading the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game in 2000.
2. Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith is the all-time leading rusher in UCF history. He rushed for 2,567 yards and 29 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Knights. Smith was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 35th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful NFL career, rushing for over 5,000 yards and scoring 36 touchdowns.
3. Bruce Miller
Bruce Miller is one of the most versatile players in UCF history. He played running back, wide receiver, and defensive back during his time with the Knights. Miller was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 74th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He has gone on to have a successful NFL career, winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers in 2013.
4. Blake Bortles
Blake Bortles is one of the most successful quarterbacks in UCF history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 2014. Bortles was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the third overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has gone on to have a successful NFL career, leading the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game in 2017.
5. Josh Sitton
Josh Sitton is one of the most successful offensive linemen in UCF history. He was a three-time All-American and won the Outland Trophy in 2007. Sitton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers with the 38th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful NFL career, winning a Super Bowl with the Packers in 2011.
6. Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall is one of the most successful wide receivers in UCF history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 2005. Marshall was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful NFL career, making six Pro Bowls and leading the NFL in receiving yards in 2012.
7. Kemal Ishmael
Kemal Ishmael is one of the most successful safeties in UCF history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2013. Ishmael was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 101st overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has gone on to have a successful NFL career, making two Pro Bowls and leading the NFL in interceptions in 2017.
8. Tre’Quan Smith
Tre’Quan Smith is one of the most successful wide receivers in UCF history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Paul Hornung Award in 2017. Smith was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 91st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has gone on to have a successful NFL career, making the Pro Bowl in 2020.
9. Shaquem Griffin
Shaquem Griffin is one of the most inspiring players in UCF history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2016. Griffin was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the 141st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has gone on to have a successful NFL career, winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2019.
10. Titus Davis
Titus Davis is one of the most successful wide receivers in UCF history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 2016. Davis was drafted by the New York Jets with the 71st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has gone on to have a successful NFL career, making the Pro Bowl in 2019.
Conclusion
The UCF Knights football program has a long history of success. The program has produced a long list of talented players who have gone on to successful careers in the NFL. The top 10 Knights UCF players of all time are Daunte Culpepper, Kevin Smith, Bruce Miller, Blake Bortles, Josh Sitton, Brandon Marshall, Kemal Ishmael, Tre’Quan Smith, Shaquem Griffin, and Titus Davis. These players have helped the UCF Knights football program become one of the most successful in the country
