When the 2008 Na�onal Football League campaign began, 13 former Knights were listed on opening day rosters, good for first among all Conference USA programs. By the end of the season, 15 former UCF players were on NFL rosters. UCF is clearly pro-ducing future professionals.

In 2009, cornerback Joe Burne� was selected by Pi�sburgh in the fi�h round of the NFL Dra�. The previous year, three UCF standouts were picked. Detroit tabbed tailback Kevin Smith with the first pick of the third round, offensive lineman Josh Si�on was taken by Green Bay in the fourth round and Kansas City used a seventh round selec�on on �ght end Mike Merri�.

KEVIN SMITH

ATARI BIGBY

CORNELL GREEN

FROM UCF TO THE NFL

DID YOU KNOW?The Knights had a total of four play-ers selected in the 2008 and 2009 NFL Dra�s. Within the state of Florida, only Florida (five) had more players dra�ed during that span.

1. Florida 52. UCF 4 Florida State 4 Miami 45. USF 3

RASHAD JEANTY

KNIGHTS IN THE NFL (2008)Atari Bigby Green Bay SDaunte Culpepper Detroit QBLeger Douzable New York Giants DLTravis Fisher Detroit CBMichael Gaines Detroit TECornell Green Oakland OLRashad Jeanty Cincinna� LBDarcy Johnson New York Giants TEBrandon Marshall Denver WRMike Merri� Kansas City TEMa� Prater Denver KAsante Samuel Philadelphia CBJosh Si�on Green Bay OLKevin Smith Detroit TBMike Walker Jacksonville WR

JOSH SITTON

In its 30-year football history, UCF has sent dozens of players in the NFL. Since Ted Wilson became the first Knight dra�ed in 1987, a total of 25 former UCF players have had their names called in the dra�, including 16 in the first five rounds.

HEARING THEIR NAME

FROM UCF TO THE NFLFormer Knights are not only making NFL rosters. Sev-eral Knights are enjoying great success in the league. This was evident when Denver wide receiver Bran-don Marshall and Philadelphia cornerback Asante Samuel represented UCF at the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl.

Samuel, who fi nished his career with the Knights in 2002, won a pair of Super Bowls with New England. He started for the Patriots in their Super Bowl XXXIX win over Philadel-phia. In 2008, he signed one of the most lu-cra� ve contracts for a cornerback in league history with the Eagles.

Marshall came into his own with the Broncos in 2007 as he ranked fourth in the NFL with 102 recep� ons and sixth with 1,325 receiving yards. He had a be� er campaign the

following year, ranking third among league wideouts with 104 catches in 2008, including an AFC record 18 against San Diego on Sept. 14, 2008.

Three-� me Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper of the Lions is the most prominent UCF alumnus in the NFL. The 11th overall pick in the 1999 dra� , Culpepper began his career with Minnesota and has thrown for 23,208 yards and 146 touchdowns during his � me in the NFL.

BRANDON MARSHALL

Former Knights are not only making NFL rosters. Sev-eral Knights are enjoying great success in the league. This was evident when Denver wide receiver Bran-don Marshall and Philadelphia cornerback Asante Samuel represented UCF at the 2009 NFL Pro

Samuel, who fi nished his career with the Knights in 2002, won a pair of Super Bowls with New England. He started for the Patriots in their Super Bowl XXXIX win over Philadel-phia. In 2008, he signed one of the most lu-

the NFL with 102 recep� ons and sixth with 1,325 receiving yards. He had a be� er campaign the

following year, ranking third among league wideouts with 104 catches in 2008, including an AFC record

Three-� me Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper of the Lions is the most prominent UCF alumnus in the NFL. The 11th overall pick in the 1999 dra� , Culpepper began his career with Minnesota and has

Former Knights are not only making NFL rosters. Sev-eral Knights are enjoying great success in the league. This was evident when Denver wide receiver Bran-don Marshall and Philadelphia cornerback Asante Samuel represented UCF at the 2009 NFL Pro

Samuel, who fi nished his career with the Knights in 2002, won a pair of Super Bowls with New England. He started for the Patriots in their Super Bowl XXXIX win over Philadel-phia. In 2008, he signed one of the most lu-

the NFL with 102 recep� ons and sixth with 1,325 receiving yards. He had a be� er campaign the

following year, ranking third among league wideouts with 104 catches in 2008, including an AFC record

Three-� me Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper of the Lions is the most prominent UCF alumnus in the NFL. The 11th overall pick in the 1999 dra� , Culpepper began his career with Minnesota and has

ASANTE SAMUEL

DAUNTE CULPEPPER

UCF/CFL DRAFT HISTORYYear Player Rd. Pick Overall Team Posi� on2008 Keith Shologan 1 4 4 Saskatchewan DL2006 Cedric Gagne-Marcoux 1 8 8 Hamilton OL2003 Taylor Robertson 2 2 11 Calgary OL

UCF/NFL DRAFT HISTORYYear Player Rd. Pick Overall Team Posi� on2009 Joe Burne� 5 32 168 Pi� sburgh CB2008 Kevin Smith 3 1 64 Detroit TB Josh Si� on 4 36 135 Green Bay OL Mike Merri� 7 32 239 Kansas City TE2007 Mike Walker 3 15 79 Jacksonville WR2006 Brandon Marshall 4 22 119 Denver WR2003 Asante Samuel 4 23 120 New England DB Doug Gabriel 5 32 167 Oakland WR Mike Mabry 7 36 250 Bal� more OL Elton Pa� erson 7 45 259 Cincinna� DE2002 Travis Fisher 2 32 64 St. Louis DB2000 Charles Lee 7 36 242 Green Bay WR1999 Daunte Culpepper 1 11 11 Minnesota QB Paul Miranda 4 1 96 Indianapolis DB1996 Marque� e Smith 5 10 142 Carolina RB1995 Greg Jeff erson 3 8 72 Philadelphia DE1993 Rick Hamilton 3 15 71 Washington LB1992 Bob Spitulski 3 10 66 Sea� le LB1991 Raymond Irvin 9 2 225 Cleveland DB Shawn Jeff erson 9 17 240 Houston WR1988 Bernard Ford 3 10 65 Buff alo WR Corris Ervin 5 27 136 Denver DB1987 Ted Wilson 10 23 274 Washington WR Elgin Davis 12 23 330 New England RB

NFL Scouts also regularly fl ock to UCF’s annual Pro Day. The Knights hosted over 85 diff erent NFL scouts during the 2008 season alone. UCF has developed a reputa� on for producing a steady stream of NFL-caliber players and the league’s scouts have made Orlando and the UCF campus a regular stop on their tour of America.

PRO DAY