Big 12 Availability Report: Two key defensive players out as UCF preps for Kansas
The Big 12 released the initial availability report on Wednesday night, and UCF listed six players as out and five more as questionable heading into Saturday’s Big 12 home opener against Kansas.
OUT
- DT Horace Lockett
- DB Jayden Williams
- DB Jaylen Heyward
- DB Jakob Gude
- TE Caden Piening
- Edge Josh Dorsainvil
Horace Lockett is a significant loss on the defensive front. He has been UCF’s highest-graded defensive tackle through four games according to PFF, earning a 77.5 grade.
Jayden Williams is another key absence, and appears set to miss his second straight game. A starting safety, Williams made a game-saving stop in the season opener against Jacksonville State but fractured his thumb in that same contest. He underwent surgery and missed the following game vs. North Carolina A&T. Williams returned to play 39 snaps against North Carolina but was sidelined again last week at Kansas State and is officially ruled out once again.
Jaylen Heyward and Jakob Gude are defensive reserves who have made their biggest impact on special teams.
True freshman tight end Caden Piening missed the early part of the season while recovering from a hamstring injury. He saw his first action in the North Carolina game (21 snaps) and followed that with a limited appearance at Kansas State (7 snaps).
Josh Dorsainvil has been primarily a special teams contributor, recording a tackle in the North Carolina A&T game but has not appeared in UCF’s last two contests.
QUESTIONABLE
- TE Dylan Wade
- LB Keli Lawson
- Edge Isaiah Nixon
- QB Jacurri Brown
- DB Isaiah Reed
Dylan Wade, UCF’s starting tight end, suffered a separated shoulder against North Carolina and did not play last week at K-State. He has been one of UCF’s most reliable receiving threats, with 9 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown through three games. His potential return would be a major boost for UCF’s offense.
Keli Lawson, a starter at linebacker, played 48 snaps in last week’s game at Kansas State.
Isaiah Nixon is a backup defensive end, and played 17 snaps against UNC before exiting with an ankle injury. He did not suit up last week in Manhattan.
QB Jacurri Brown suffered a shoulder sprain (AC joint) at Kansas State. Scott Frost indicated on his radio show Wednesday night that he was questionable to play this weekend.
Isaiah Reed, a transfer from Brown, has yet to make his UCF debut. He was listed as “out” last week and now moves to “questionable,” indicating he could be nearing a return.
GOOD NEWS
Cornerback DJ Bell, who missed last week’s game at Kansas State, is not listed on this week’s report, suggesting he’s been cleared to return. Bell has been part of UCF’s primary cornerback rotation.
Also, QB Tayven Jackson is not listed after suffering a non-throwing shoulder sprain at K-State. Frost had indicated on his radio show that Jackson was expected to play.
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