Two more former UCF Knights players have begun their transition to the National Football League, as wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith and tight end Jordan Akins were drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Smith was selected first, going to the New Orleans Saints with the 27th pick in the third round, the 91st-overall selection. Akins followed closely behind, as the Houston Texans selected the 26-year-old 98th overall, the 34th pick of the third round.
Both were integral pieces in the Knights’ undefeated, championship run in the 2017 season, wherein they won the 2018 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl over the Auburn Tigers.
Smith led UCF’s receiving corps from 2015 to 2017, leading all Knights offensive players in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns each season. He finished his career with 2,748 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns on 168 receptions, including going for career-highs in yards (1,171), touchdowns (13) and receptions (59) in 2017.
In his redshirt freshman season, Smith was named the 2015 American Athletic Conference’s Rookie of the Year and was named to the 2017 All-AAC Second Team last season.
As for Akins, his journey to the NFL slightly differs, as he began playing minor-league baseball before playing football at UCF. He started as a wide receiver in 2014 and made the transition to tight end, his drafted position, in 2016.
Akins steadily improved his game, increasing his numbers each season. It all culminated in his best season, his senior year, when he wen for a career-high 515 yards and four touchdowns on 32 catches.
Smith and Akins join first-round draftee Mike Hughes, who was selected with the 30th-overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings, as UCF’s three draftees, so far. Those three combine for the most top-100 picks in a single draft for the Knights.
UCF’s one remaining, high-profile prospect awaiting to be drafted is linebacker Shaquem Griffin. The 2016 AAC Defensive Player of the Year posted 195 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks and three interceptions in his time as a Knight.
For more on the Knights, as Griffin awaits his name to be called, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.
