ORLANDO — Cole Kozlowski’s presence at UCF football practice earlier this week put a smile on Braeden Marshall’s face.
“That’s my guy,” said Marshall, a senior defensive back. “… It was like a long time, no see.”
They may get to hang out frequently again soon.
Following the 2025 season, the Knights and Kozlowski himself figured his college career was over. The linebacker had exhausted his four years of eligibility. He asked for a fifth, but the NCAA denied his request in January.
Then the U.S. District Court of Colorado threw him and others a lifeline on July 31, granting an injunction that allows an extra year of eligibility for Class of 2022 high school graduates.
On3 reported Kozlowski and UCF harbor mutual interest in a reunion. The Knights have roster space for him, though no comeback has been formally announced. He showed up to the Aug. 5 practice in street clothes.
What would a reactivated Kozlowski bring to their defense?
“Great teammate. Great guy,” Marshall said. “He’s a dog on the field, field general, and he’s fun to play with.”
Kozlowski suited up for Colgate for his first three collegiate go-arounds. He transferred to UCF before last season and took full advantage of his Power Four opportunity.
Eventually.
Knights linebackers coach Mark D’Onofrio said Kozlowski endured an adjustment period.
“It wasn’t just easy,” D’Onofrio said. “He was coming from Colgate where he obviously got a lot of production and was able to dominate that level of play. This was a step up — in terms of guys you’re playing against, in terms of what we were asking him to do. He said it himself: He said it was the hardest thing that he had ever done, just going through individuals with me.”
But once Kozlowski settled in, he thrived.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder cracked the All-Big 12 third team. He started nine of the Knights’ 12 games, including the final eight, and ranked second on the squad with 82 tackles. He also contributed two sacks and forced a fumble.
Kozlowski partnered with Oklahoma transfer Lewis Carter, who earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. Carter is back for 2026 after recording a team-high 92 tackles a year ago. Most of the rest of the linebacker group is new to UCF.
“It was fun,” D’Onofrio said. “It was a journey, and he just kept getting better and better and better and better. He’s got a really good knack for the football. He really loves Saturdays.
“We’ll see what happens and go from there. Right now, we’ll coach the guys that we know are going to be able to play.”
For the record, D’Onofrio hopes Kozlowski becomes one of those guys again this month.
“He deserves it, just like anybody in that ’22 class,” D’Onofrio said. “If everybody else is getting five years of college football right now, I don’t see why those guys wouldn’t deserve one as well.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Cole Kozlowski’s return would be a major boost for UCF football. Here’s why
Reporting by Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
