Defensive tackle group is highlighted

Photo by Aryah Britt

New faces come into the defensive tackle room

In the final stretch of spring camp, the defensive tackle room remains focused on continuing to work on the fundamentals and expanding their game before the summer.

With returning leaders like senior RJ Jackson Jr. and redshirt senior Horace Lockett, this defensive tackle room can follow in their leadership, especially the new transfers coming in.

Defensive tackles coach Kenny Martin is looking to get this new room familiar with his coaching style. His top priority is to maintain violence and play tenaciously and continue to disrupt plays on the offense.

In a familiar pattern, the Knights added more experience and production to the defensive tackle group.

On Thursday, we had the chance to speak to coach Martin and three new faces who joined the group through the transfer portal: redshirt senior Brad Gurley, redshirt senior Josh Schell, and redshirt junior Thomas Collins.

Coach Martin looking to maintain a violent mindset this with new additions

“All violence will solve all your issues,” is what coach Martin enforced last spring with his defensive tackle group. This spring, that mindset remains as he hopes to make this defensive front physical and tenacious for this upcoming season.

• Coach Martin expressed that he has enjoyed working with this experienced group because he can coach the way he wants to, without teaching basic fundamentals.

• He noted that this might be the best group he’s coached in terms of effort. He described a “race to the ball” during practice, where even the larger defensive tackles are competing to see who can get to the play first.

• Martin singled out Collins as a prime example of tenacity, calling him a tenacious player who consistently shows incredible effort by chasing plays down from sideline to sideline.

Impact of RJ Jackson Jr. and Horace Lockett’s return

The Knights were successful in retaining players like RJ Jackson Jr. and Horace Lockett over the course of the portal, however, their roles become even greater as they look to fill a leadership role for this group. Coach Martin and the new transfers spoke about what it means to follow their lead and learn from them in this system.

• Lockett has been in a transition phase as he recovers from an injury he sustained last season, but Martin is hopeful and not concerned about his recovery, and excited to see him 100%.

• Lockett entered the transfer portal in early January and quickly emerged as a top name. However, he decided to put his trust in Coach Martin and return for the 2026 season. Something meaningful for Coach Martin as he sees him as an All-Conference, possibly All-American talent.

• With Jackson, Coach Martin has been thoroughly impressed with what he has been able to do and being able to get to the ball. He believes that Jackson has the full capabilities of being one of the best in the conference.

• Among them, Coach Martin applauds their leadership skills and their ability to welcome in the new transfers and make the whole room better, not just skill, but as a family. The new transfers have also grown appreciative of what they have received.

• Coach Martin has expressed the idea of a team-led practice and emphasized that it is up to the players to bring the passion and the energy every practice, which he has seen all spring through Jackson and Lockett’s leadership.

Josh Schell talks his transition from defensive end to defensive tackle.

Redshirt senior Josh Schell is one of the new faces entering this unit and is charged with the responsibility of transitioning from defensive end to defensive tackle. During his time at Grand Valley State, he played edge primarily, while at Tennessee, he began transitioning from playing a lot of defensive tackle.

• Schell said one of the significant adjustments was adding about 35 pounds to his frame. He noted that while moving with the extra weight feels different, he feels much more powerful.

• Currently, he is focusing on the technical nuances of the position, including pre-snap reads, hand placement, and interior-specific pass-rush moves.

• He also mentioned that, having played defensive end at Grand Valley State, he believes moving inside adds to his versatility, and having experience at both spots is a major benefit.

• Schell expects the defense to be “lights out” this fall, noting that it has been dominant throughout the spring and has a high level of talent across the board. He also noted the group’s competitiveness and how they push each other to be better.

• As this is his final year of eligibility, he described the upcoming season as one last chance. His primary goal is to prove he is a playmaker capable of competing at the highest level and reaching the NFL.

Brad Gurley and his transition to the FBS level

In the Knights’ hunt for players who have had production at the FCS level in hopes they translate to the FBS, they landed redshirt senior Brad Gurley, who spent his collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky, for the chance to prove he can compete at a higher level.

• Gurley highlighted the transition to Coach Martin’s coaching style, noting that he keeps it very blunt and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He also noted that he appreciates this style, as it helps him improve.

• While he was productive at Eastern Kentucky last season, Gurley emphasized that his primary goal at this level is winning. He mentioned that while stats are great, he views the team as a family and believes that if he succeeds, the whole unit succeeds.

• He also stated that the group’s collective goal is to be the best defensive line and the best overall unit in the Big 12.

• Gurley expressed a desire to prove to the entire country that the program is a force to be reckoned with, aiming to be the best defense not just in the conference but in the country.

From Sweden to UCF: Thomas Collins’ expectations with the Knights

Another new face in the group, redshirt junior Thomas Collins, talked about his roots back in Sweden and how he found football. Additionally, he talked about his transfer from Oregon State to UCF.

• Collins found football through his father, who served in the U.S. Navy. They would watch the Super Bowl and toss a football in the backyard, though Collins grew up primarily playing hockey and soccer.

• As an additional fun detail, Collins is married to his wife back home, who currently plays flag football for the Swedish National Team. A bond he holds, she is rooting for her as she possibly competes for the 2028 Olympics.

• His choice to join UCF was heavily influenced by his first interaction with Coach Martin. During the ride from the airport to the facility, they spent the entire time discussing the technical details of pass-rushing.

• From his time at Oregon State, he said he learned how much a lack of attention to detail can affect a season. He is now focused on being detailed in every aspect of the game to ensure success at UCF.

• Collins feels he has already learned a significant amount about the nuances of the interior defensive line position in just a few spring practices, specifically regarding transitioning from run defense to pass rushing.

What’s next?

• Quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton and select players will speak to the media on Saturday, May 2, following an open practice that will be held inside the Acrisure Bounce House.

• Following the final week of practice, head coach Scott Frost will speak to the media to recap spring training on Tuesday, May 5.