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How did UCF's Malachi Lawrence, Nyjalik Kelly do at 2026 NFL combine?
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- How did UCF's Malachi Lawrence, Nyjalik Kelly do at 2026 NFL combine?
UCF is among relatively exclusive company for the 2026 NFL scouting combine , one of seven schools to send both of its starting edge rushers to Indianapolis .
Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly, who combined for 20½ sacks for the Knights over the last two seasons, took part in on-field drills Thursday, Feb. 27, at Lucas Oil Stadium. Those drills included the 40-yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump and position-specific workouts.
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Entering the combine, Pro Football Focus ranked Lawrence as the No. 174 overall draft prospect on its big board, while Kelly checked in at No. 415. Lawrence accepted an invitation to last month's East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas; Kelly garnered a late invite to the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
During his media availability Wednesday, Lawrence said he held formal meetings with the Dallas Cowboys , Buffalo Bills , Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Kelly said he had not met formally with any teams prior to taking the podium.
Could either player boost their respective draft stocks? Here's a breakdown on their on-field measurables.
Nyjalik Kelly combine results
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCF defensive lineman Nyjalik Kelly (DL47) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Height:6-foot-5
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Weight:256 pounds
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Arm length:35⅛"
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Hand size:10⅜"
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Vertical jump:37"
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Broad jump:9'11"
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Nyjalik Kelly 40 time
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40-yard dash:4.88 seconds
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10-yard split:1.69 seconds
Kelly slightly improved his times in his second run, posting a 4.91 with a 1.7 split, but he ranked at the bottom of the edge group for speed. There were five defensive tackles that fared better in the 40, led by Penn State's Zane Durant (4.75), an Orlando native.
However, Kelly's length and explosive base will give him a chance of being selected on Day 3. He had the longest arms measured among edge rushers, and he tied for seventh in the vertical leap.
Malachi Lawrence combine results
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCF defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence (DL48) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Height:6-foot-4
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Weight:253 pounds
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Arm length:33⅝"
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Hand size:9¼"
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Vertical jump:40"
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Broad jump:10'1"
Malachi Lawrence 40 time
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40-yard dash:4.52 seconds
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10-yard split:1.58 seconds
Lawrence turned in a strong testing day, posting some of the fastest times among a deep group of edge rushers.
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He had the second-fastest 40 time, only to Texas Tech's David Bailey (4.51). Perhaps more importantly, he matched Texas A&M's Cashius Howell for the top 10-yard split time.
Lawrence's 40-inch vertical leap tied for second among edge rushers, one inch shy of the mark set by Florida's George Gumbs Jr.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF football combine results: How Malachi Lawrence, Nyjalik Kelly did
