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5 UCF Knights football players sign UDFA deals after NFL draft

chris boyle, the daytona beach news-journal
·2 min read
Divaad Wilson (9) was one of five UCF players to sign contracts with NFL teams following the 2023 draft, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Divaad Wilson (9) was one of five UCF players to sign contracts with NFL teams following the 2023 draft, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.

UCF's streak of six consecutive NFL drafts with at least one player selected ended Saturday, but five Knights quickly signed contracts as undrafted free agents.

Long snapper Alex Ward, safety Divaad Wilson, defensive lineman Anthony Montalvo and offensive linemen Ryan Swoboda and Samuel Jackson agreed to terms on contracts within an hour of the conclusion of the seven-round event, held in Kansas City, Mo.

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Swoboda told The News-Journal he was signing with the Detroit Lions. The 6-foot-9, 309-pound right tackle made 25 starts at Virginia and 14 in his lone season with the Knights. He tested well at UCF's pro day, posting a Raw Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.32 out of 10, including an 1.72-second 10-yard split and broad jump of 9 feet, 4 inches.

Wilson and Jackson will reunite for rookie minicamp with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wilson, a redshirt senior from Miami, led UCF with three interceptions and was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection by Pro Football Network. Jackson spent six years with the program — seeing snaps at just about every spot along the offensive line — and was a captain in each of Gus Malzahn's first two seasons in charge.

Former UCF long snapper Alex Ward (32) agreed to terms on a contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including a signing bonus of $5,000, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston.
Former UCF long snapper Alex Ward (32) agreed to terms on a contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including a signing bonus of $5,000, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston.

Jackson's deal includes $50,000 in guaranteed salary, plus an $8,000 signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston.

Ward signed with the Los Angeles Rams on a deal including a $5,000 signing bonus, per Wilson. He was the lone UCF represenative at both the Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL scouting combine, and was widely viewed as the top long snapper available in this year's class.

Rounding out the group is Montalvo, who confirmed to The News-Journal that he signed with the Miami Dolphins. Though undersized at 6-foot-1½ and 284 pounds, the sixth-year senior produced stellar testing metrics across the board. He started 36 games for the Knights, including all 14 in 2022 when he registered 43 total tackles, 6.5 TFLs and two sacks.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NFL draft: 5 UCF Knights sign contracts as undrafted free agents