Three Reasons Why Malachi Lawrence's Departure Won't Hurt UCF as Much as You Think
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With his selection at No. 23 overall in the NFL Draft, EDGE Malachi Lawrence is set to be out of a UCF uniform for the first time since 2020.
While his absence might be felt in the locker room and by fans on an individual level, it does not necessarily mean it is going to be a detriment to the team.
Here are three reasons why Lawrence's departure is not as bad for the Knights as one might think:
1. There is an Heir Apparent for EDGE room Player Leader
Lawrence said during his introductory press conference with the Cowboys that he felt like every team asked him during the draft process why he stayed at UCF for all five of his seasons in college football.
While Lawrence's leadership presence was certainly felt, his departure does not mean that the EDGE room is going to be entirely filled with transfers. Isaiah Nixon, hailing from St. Petersburg, has also been with the Knights his entire UCF career.
While Nixon has yet to record a start since his arrival in Orlando in 2023, he did come off the bench in a double-digit number of games these past two seasons. It’s just that during that time, he had not only Lawrence ahead of him on the depth chart, but also another NFL Draft hopeful in Nyjalik Kelly, something EDGE coach Mike Dawson pointed out following a UCF practice on April 21.
"He's going to be a guy that's going to be really fun to watch this year," Dawson said of Nixon.
2. There is Still an All-Conference Player at EDGE
Lawrence capped off his UCF career with a season that earned him a First-team All-Big 12 honor. While such production may be going to the NFL, there is still going to be a player who earned an all-conference honor playing at EDGE next season.
Hailing from Germany, Bruno Dall was named Third-team All-MAC last season after recording 44 tackles, 8.5 of them for a loss, four sacks, an interception, six pass breakups and a forced fumble for Akron last season. Dawson called him “gigantic” and “highly intelligent.”
3. The Defensive Tackles Can Help With Passing Defense
While Lawrence's pass rushing was his primary claim to fame, he also managed to get his hands up to break up a few passes, getting a career-high three of them in 2025, the same number as Kelly.
While that production might not be returning in 2026, there are still defensive lineman returning that can get their hands up; they are just at defensive tackle.
Despite playing in just four games last season, defensive tackle Horace Lockett broke up two passes and hurried the quarterback once on top of his three tackles for loss. Fellow defensive tackle RJ Jackson Jr. also broke up a pair of passes. Both are returning in 2026, and this does not even account for transfers in the position group.
The Knights also have one more week of spring practice, where the EDGEs and the rest of the UCF defense can adjust to life without Lawrence. Their last one, on May 2 at 10 a.m., is open to public viewing.
Catch up on more UCF news below:
How UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence Fits With The Dallas Cowboys
Projected UCF EDGE Depth Chart After Malachi Lawrence Drafted in First Round
UCF Renews Contract With Olympian
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Bryson Turner is a sports journalist who covers UCF Athletics. Turner has contributed to the Black and Gold Banneret, the home for UCF Athletics on SB Nation. He has called the Orlando area home since the age of 8 and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from UCF.
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