UCF to be without DT John Walker for ‘extended period’ with injury

As UCF gets set to open the 2024 football season this week, the Knights will do so without one of their up-and-coming defenders.

Coach Gus Malzahn confirmed that defensive tackle John Walker would be out for an extended period after suffering a lower-body injury several weeks ago.

“He’s going to be out for an extended period of time, and hopefully we’ll get him back before the season ends,” Malzahn said on Monday.

Walker, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound sophomore, shared a photo on social media last week showing his right knee in a brace. The caption was “blessed” and included a prayer-hands emoji.

It’s a blow for the Knights, who were counting on Walker to play a much more significant role on the defensive front after appearing in 13 games last season. He totaled 24 tackles with 5 tackles for loss with a half a sack and a pass defended.

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A four-star product from Osceola High School, Walker is the highest-rated signee in school history, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He was among a rotation at the tackle spot along with Lee Hunter, Ricky Barber and Matthew Alexander.

In Walker’s absence, UCF has moved redshirt senior transfer Daylan Dotson to the tackle spot behind Barber.

“He’s a guy that’s played inside some,” said Malzahn. “He’s a guy that’s at least familiar there, and we’ve got some young guys, too, that are really coming on, and we’re trying to develop those guys. The good thing is that we have some quality depth at that position, which definitely helps.”

Dotson, who spent four seasons at UT-Martin, appeared in 17 games on the defensive interior from 2020-21 before moving to the edge.

Walker isn’t the only player who will be out of the lineup.

Malzahn said that redshirt senior tight end Jordan Davis tore his Achilles tendon during the first week of fall camp and would miss the entire season.

“Jordan’s been a phenomenal teammate since I’ve been here, and he’s overcome injury after injury, and he wanted to try it again and got hurt again,” said Malzahn.

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The 6-4, 250-pound Davis is the brother of former Seminole and UCF receiver Gabe Davis and arrived as part of the Knights’ 2020 recruiting class under then-coach Josh Heupel. He sat out his freshman season after suffering a torn ACL before returning in 2021 when he appeared in six games.

He missed all of the 2022 and 2023 seasons while recovering from another torn ACL.

Outside of Walker and Davis, Malzahn said the Knights were relatively healthy heading into Thursday’s opener against New Hampshire (7 p.m., ESPN+).

UCF releases depth chart

The Knights released their depth chart for their Week 1 game against the Wildcats, providing clarity on several positions that were up for grabs during the final weeks of fall camp.

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Miami transfer Jacurri Brown secured the backup quarterback spot behind starter KJ Jefferson, beating out redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk.

Redshirt senior Trent Whittemore earned the third starting receiver spot and redshirt senior Paul Rubelt got the nod at starting right tackle.

On the defensive side, Miami transfer Nyjalik Kelly grabbed the starting defensive end spot opposite Malachi Lawrence. Transfers Ethan Barr (Vanderbilt) and Deshawn Pace (Cincinnati) anchor the linebackers in the middle. UAB transfer Mac McWilliams earned the cornerback spot and East Tennessee State transfer Sheldon Arnold and Ole Miss transfer Ladarius Tennison took the starting safety positions.

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com