UCF Football's Big Five: The Impact They're Making on the NFL

From Shawn Jefferson to Daunte Culpepper, electrifying Knights football players have made their way to the NFL. Some were successful, others weren't; some are long gone, but many still play on pro turf today.

There are a few UCF players that I call the “Big Five” right now—players that are of recent (and often dear) memory to Knights fans, and that are making an impact on their respective teams. Here are the present members of UCF's Big Five...

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith made us excited to be Knights football fans again, and we were all disappointed (and a little peeved!) when he left for the NFL in 2008.

However, despite wanting him to return for the 2008 UCF football season, fans of the black and gold cheered as Smith was drafted in the third round (first pick) by the Detroit Lions.

Smith didn't see a single win in his inaugural season as a pro, but last week, the Lions ricocheted from completely defeated to back in the game at 1-2.

Unfortunately, Smith wasn't able to enjoy the win against the Washington Redskins to the fullest; he removed himself from play in the third quarter after a right shoulder injury.

As is the latest news from ESPN, his status remains up in the air. Detroit coach Jim Schwartz told reporters today that he'll be a game time decision this Sunday.

Before leaving the game, Smith rushed 101 yards, averaging 6.3 per carry. He has racked up 204 rushing yards so far this season, with 80 yards receiving (6.7 avg), and 1 TD.

When Kev comes back, which could be as early as this weekend, he will be a key component in the Lions' offensive game and the team's run for a winning season.

College football play started a week earlier than NFL play this year, and because of the way the schedule worked out, Smith was able to visit UCF at home for their first game of the season against Samford.

Knights fans and players should be proud of the black and gold spirit and support Kevin Smith continues to have for UCF, and for the great job he's doing in the National Football League.

Brandon Marshall

Nicknamed “The Beast”, Brandon Marshall started in 21 games as UCF's prime wide receiver. During his college career, he collected 112 receptions, 1,674 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

In 2006, Marshall was drafted by the Denver Broncos as the 119th overall pick in the fourth round. Since then, The Beast has netted 3027 yards, 16 touchdowns, and an average of 61.8 yards per game.

So far in 2009, Marshall has been above the league WR yards average, with 128, and right at the league average with 1 TD.

Two days ago, USA Today published an article about Marshall titled “Unlikely team player: Brandon Marshall quietly helping Broncos to 3-0 start”.

In the article, Sean Leahy comments that while the wide receiver was suspended in the preseason for “conduct detrimental to the team”, his attitude has improved and his work ethic has been solid.

“I've learned from trying to fight the system,” he told The Denver Post.

Marshall will have to work hard to post up as big of numbers as we've seen from him in the 2007 and 2008 NFL seasons. Regardless, he was a highly talented Knight, and should set a lasting impression on pro football.

Joe Burnett

Joe Burnett, the latest of the UCF Knights to make it to the big league, is now a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As Central Florida fans know, Burnett was a record setting CB and returner, and was named a first-team All-American in 2008.

He helped UCF to its first two bowl berths, and earned a total of eight career C-USA honors, including a four-year sweep of the first-team punter return award.

Since Burnett is such a recent phenomenon of Knights' football culture, he couldn't be left off this list, even if he has only grabbed four single tackles, and two assisted this year.

UCF fans are excited at this point to see Burnett in a pro uniform, and it'll be interesting to see how his NFL career plays out.

Asante Samuel

Asante Samuel is a name that would ring familiar to any true NFL fan. He was drafted in 2003 as the 120th pick in the fourth round by the New England Partriots and on September 7, 2008, he made his debut with a new team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

His road to the pros, though, was a black and gold one.

At UCF, Samuel finished his career with 127 tackles (102 solo, 25 assisted), eight interceptions, and a school record 38 passes deflected—an extremely impressive performance at cornerback.

So far in the NFL, Samuel has recorded 275 tackles, 27 interceptions, and four touchdowns, proving he's the same clutch guy in the pros that he was at the Citrus Bowl.

So far this year, Samuel has made 10 tackles, and one interception for the Eagles. He'll be a blast to continue to root for in the NFL.

Atari Bigby

And our fifth of the big five, Atari Bigby. He's in his fourth season in the NFL; his fourth with the Green Bay Packers.

At UCF, he was a two-time first-time Mid-American Conference pick, and registered 296 tackles, three interceptions, and one sack in his college career.

His NFL career stats stand at 115 tackles (85 solo, 30 assisted) and six interceptions. So far in 2009 for the Packers, Bigby has garnered six tackles, but is currently out with a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for a couple more weeks.

If he returns healthy, he should be a big component of the Packers' run for the playoffs.

Go Knights!

These definitely aren't the entirety of Central Florida players that have made an impact in the NFL and continue to do so today, but they are the most skillful, relevant UCF players at present time.

Without all of the UCF Knights football members' contributions of today and yesterday, though, we wouldn't be able to look to an exciting 2009 season and a bright future.