UCF position preview: Edge rusher

A position-by-position look at UCF heading into fall camp:

EDGE RUSHERS

What to expect

While the middle of the defensive line returns plenty of experience, the edge is where UCF will have some fresh faces heading into Year 2 in the Big 12 .

Junior Malachi Lawrence , who had a breakout season for the Knights, steps up in the absence of veterans Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (20.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks) and Joshua Celiscar (47 tackles, 4 TFLs).

Transfers Nyjalik Kelly and Daylan Dotson arrive to boost to the group. Kelly, a 4-star out of Fort Lauderdale, spent the past two seasons at Miami where he was limited by injury last season. Dotson arrives from UT-Martin, where he was an All-American, finishing with 37.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks for the Skyhawks.

Kaven Call, Jamaal Johnson, and Isaiah Nixon should help with a rotation that is expected to grow significantly under Ted Roof, the new defensive coordinator.

On the roster

Malachi Lawrence, RS-Jr.

Isaiah Nixon, RS-Fr.

Jamaal Johnson, RS-So.

Kaven Call, So.

Jack Morgan, RS-So.

Departures

Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (eligibility)

Joshua Celiscar (transfer to Texas A&M)

Keenan Cupit (eligibility)

KD McDaniel (transfer to Georgia State)

Zavier Carter (transfer)

Finau Fine (transfer to West Florida)

Dallaz Corbitt (transfer to B-CU)

Arrivals

Daylan Dotson, RS-Jr. (transfer from UT-Martin)

Nyjalik Kelly, Jr. (transfer from Miami)

Projected depth chart

DE — Malachi Lawrence, Nyjalik Kelly

DE2 — Jamaal Johnson, Daylan Dotson

Previous: QB , RB , WR , TE , OL , DL

Coming Sunday: Linebacker

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com