Cole Kozlowski, the former UCF football linebacker, was spotted at practice in street clothes on August 5, sparking massive speculation across the program. This isn’t just a casual visit: a recent injunction from a U.S. District Court in Colorado added an extra year of NCAA eligibility for Class of 2022 high school graduates, which could totally flip the script for the Knights’ defense.
The Beast Who Was Denied (Then Maybe Not?)
Think about this dude’s resume: Kozlowski was a beast last fall. He started nine of 12 games for the Knights, snagging All-Big 12 third-team honors. We’re talking 82 tackles total, 48 solo, 7½ TFLs, two sacks, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He played three seasons at Colgate before coming to UCF in 2025, and he wanted that fifth year of eligibility back in January, but it got shut down cold. The guy even did his pro day, but no NFL contract or rookie minicamp invites came through. So, yeah, when Rivals’ Brandon Helwig dropped the news on August 4 that Kozlowski was in Orlando and both sides were looking at a return, people started paying attention.
NCAA Rules, Court Rulings, and Frost’s Take
So how is this even happening? That Colorado court injunction is the key, basically tossing an extra year of eligibility to a whole class of high school grads. The NCAA, which just adopted that age-based “five-for-five” model, is already gearing up to appeal this thing. It’s a total mess, honestly. On August 2, Sweeney from the court clarified that this eligibility doesn’t magically bypass transfer rules, roster limits, or revenue-sharing stuff. And get this, the NCAA Chief Legal Officer, Scott Bearby, wrote that guys who dipped out for professional opportunities are usually “ineligible to return.” Talk about a bureaucratic headache! Knights head coach Scott Frost, asked about it on Monday, kept it real. He said he’d look at adding talent, but “It’s got to be the right guy. We have such a good culture and such a good thing in the building.” He knows the rules are like quicksand, saying, “The only thing you can be sure of is if you hold your breath long enough then the rules will change before you breathe again.”
If Kozlowski actually suits up, UCF’s defense would have seven starters back. That’s a huge deal for a unit that’s already got some serious depth at linebacker with guys like Lewis Carter, Jayden Jennings, and transfers Jahleel Culbreath, Tackett Curtis, and Rashad Henry. It’s not just Kozlowski either: defensive end Nyjalik Kelly, who signed with the Packers, and safety Phillip Dunnam, who attended Titans minicamp, also fit the injunction’s description. Dunnam even tweeted about his “previous school” not having a roster opening, so his return looks less likely. But for Kozlowski, the ball’s in play. Keep your eyes peeled, because this could reshape the Knights’ defense this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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