Former UCF athletes are quickly rising in draft rankings.
Two ex-UCF football players, Javon Baker and Tylan Grable, have been rapidly climbing NFL Draft rankings following outstanding showings at invitational events and the Draft Combine in Indianapolis.
In Orlando, FL, the conclusion of UCF’s college football season signals change, as former Knights shift their focus to the NFL Draft and life beyond UCF. In the last decade, UCF has had players drafted in 8 out of 10 NFL Drafts, with 4 drafts featuring multiple selections and a record-breaking 5 players drafted in 2021. During this period, UCF has seen notable achievements, such as future Pro Bowler Shaquill Griffin being drafted by the Seahawks in 2017 and Gabriel Davis, who set a playoff game record for receiving touchdowns with 4, selected by the Buffalo Bills. Additionally, Super Bowl Champion Jacob Harris, drafted in 2021, was a member of the Los Angeles Rams that won Super Bowl LVI. This past weekend, two UCF players, Javon Baker and Tylan Grable, showcased their talents at the Draft Combine, emerging as standout performers in draft preparation.
Javon Baker initially intended to return to UCF for his final year of play but eventually declared for the draft after receiving a high draft grade that was too enticing to ignore. Accepting an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Alabama, Baker emerged as one of the standout performers, impressing with his dominance in drills and one-on-one matchups against top-tier defensive backs. Notably, he dispelled concerns about his speed and explosiveness by reaching 20.99 MPH in pads, ranking as the second fastest wide receiver at the Senior Bowl. Securing an invite to the combine, Baker measured well and showcased his skills during field work, catching passes from former Washington quarterback Michael Penix and former Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary. His exceptional offseason performance has elevated his draft stock, transitioning him from a projected day three pick to a likely day two selection, with potential to even sneak into the first round if there’s a surge in receiver selections early in the draft.
Tylan Grable made a significant impression at the combine, propelling himself onto the radar of NFL teams with his standout performance. His offseason preparation prior to the Combine included an impressive showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas, where he showcased his mobility and quickness as a blocker, qualities that make him a valuable asset to any offensive line group. Building on this momentum, Grable excelled at the Combine, ranking among the top five in four events he participated in. His 40-yard dash time of 4.95 seconds placed him fourth in his class, while his 10-second split of 1.69 seconds tied for second. Additionally, he tied for second in the vertical jump with 36.5 inches and tied for first in the broad jump with 9 feet 9 inches. These impressive results earned him a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.83 at the offensive tackle position, ranking him 23rd all-time among tackle prospects. If assessed as a guard, a position he has the versatility to play, Grable’s RAS would be 9.98, placing him fourth among all offensive linemen and second among guards in history. Previously graded as an undrafted free agent, Grable’s exceptional athleticism, coupled with promising tape despite being relatively raw, has generated excitement among teams considering him as a prospect. The San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots are among the teams closely monitoring this lineman from Gordon, Georgia.
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