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Scott Frost Motivating Knights To Win Postseason Awards
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- Scott Frost Motivating Knights To Win Postseason Awards
(Russell Lansford/Imagn Images)
Three UCF Knights were named to the preseason All-Big 12 teams , which is an honor, but coach Scott Frost has encouraged his players to aim higher next season.
Frost said at Big 12 Media Day that he'd rather have his Knights make the postseason All-Big 12 teams. It's a testament to a player's success throughout the year rather than analysts predicting who will perform well.
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EDGE Malachi Lawrence, linebacker Cole Kozlowski and kicker Noe Ruelas were the only UCF players to make an All-Big 12 team .
Lawrence topped the group with an All-Big 12 First Team nod after a stellar season. He caught the eye of NFL scouts by having a career year. The 6-foot-4 EDGE tallied career-best 28 tackles (17 solo) and 11 tackles for loss, seven of which were sacks.
He finished his five-year tenure in Orlando 10th in all-time sacks (20). UCF's star pass rusher earned an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. Lawrence put together a historic showcase , which helped him make program history as the highest-drafted defensive player , selected 23rd by the Dallas Cowboys .
Kozlowski made All-Big 12 Third Team. The Colgate transfer shined in his lone season with the Knights, finishing second on the team in tackles with 82 (48 solo) and 7.5 tackles for a loss.
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He sought an injunction to earn an extra year of eligibility, but it was denied, ending his collegiate career.
Ruelas also made All-Big 12 Third Team. The James Madison transfer was the most accurate kicker in the conference, nailing 88.2 percent of his field goals (15-for-17) and earning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his game-winning field goal against the Oklahoma State Cowboys .
His name is in the UCF record book as the only kicker to make three 50-plus yard field goals in a season. Ruelas' 50-plus yarders came against Kansas State (53), West Virginia (51) and Houston (54).
Wisconsin transfer linebacker Tackett Curtis told Sons of UCF reporter Andrew Cherico at a UCF players event he is hopeful the defense will have some players make the postseason Big 12 teams. There is a good chance his hopes are fulfilled with Phil Steele's recognition.
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Steele named linebacker Lewis Carter and defensive backs Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson to his preseason All-Big 12 team. The senior trio is leaders at their respective position groups.
Carter led the team in tackles with a career-high 92; Pro Football Sports Network has constantly graded Bellamy as one of the best Big 12 cornerbacks , and Jackson made the preseason Fourth Team as a return specialist.
Frost saw three Knights make postseason All-Big 12 teams last year, and could see the same number or more next season.
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