UCF defensive tackle John Walker is expected to enter the transfer portal, becoming the ninth Knights player to signal his intention to depart the program. The news was first reported Tuesday afternoon by On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Walker is the second regular starter from UCF this season to have plans to transfer made public. The Kissimmee native arrived in Orlando as the highest-rated recruit in program history, per 247Sports, and quickly became a key contributor. As a true freshman in 2023, he appeared in all 13 games, posting 24 tackles—14 solo—along with five tackles for loss, half a sack, and a pass breakup. His performance earned him On3 Defensive True Freshman All-American honors and a Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honorable mention.
After missing the 2024 season due to injury, Walker returned to start all 12 games this fall. He recorded 40 total tackles, including 16 solo stops and three tackles for loss, while adding a sack, four quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble. He finished the year as the defensive line’s leader in solo tackles.
His departure leaves UCF looking to emerging talent for 2026, including Derrick LeBlanc, North Carolina transfer Rodney Lora, and Georgia Tech transfer Horace Lockett, who missed most of this season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during the Kansas State game, coach Scott Frost said.
Walker’s decision comes shortly after freshman offensive lineman Jacquez Joiner became the eighth Knight to announce his intentions to transfer. Joiner, a three-star prospect from Cocoa High School—which is coached by former UCF quarterback Ryan Schneider—appeared in just one game this season.
The transfer portal officially opens Jan. 2 and will remain active through Jan. 16. Below is a full list of UCF players expected to enter the portal:
Name — Position — Eligibility Remaining — 2025 Stats
• Tayven Jackson, QB: 1 year — 200/315 passing, 2,151 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs, 16 sacks
• Jacurri Brown, QB: 1 year — Played 3 games; 3/5 for 97 yards and 1 TD; 16 rushes for 142 yards and 2 TDs
• John Walker, DT: 2 years — 40 tackles (16 solo), 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Kylan Fox, TE: 2 years — 16 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD in 12 games (3 starts)
• Tony Williams, DB: 4 years — Appeared in 2 games, 2 tackles
• Jaylen “AP” Heyward, DB: 3 years — Appeared in 2 games, 3 tackles
• Jyaire Brown, CB: 1 year — Played 11 games (1 start), 7 tackles, 1 pass breakup
• Jakob Gude, DB: 3 years — Did not appear in a game
• Jacquez Joiner, OL: 4 years — Played in 1 game
