Knights in the Pros: 2023 NFL Season Week 1 Review

This past week the NFL finally returned for its 104th season, and a few players who stepped onto the gridiron during the opening week were former UCF Knights.

Let’s take a look at how these alumni did in Week 1.

S Richie Grant — Atlanta Falcons

Grant played a key role in helping the Falcons’ defense shut down this year’s first overall pick Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers’ offense. He recorded seven tackles, three solo and four assisted, and one pass selection in the Falcons’ 24-10 win.

DB Shaquill Griffin — Houston Texans

In his debut with the Texans, Griffin recorded two tackles and one quarterback hit in the Texans’ 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens

WR Gabe Davis — Buffalo Bills

Davis recorded two catches for 32 yards in the Bills’ 22-16 OT loss to the New York Jets.

RB Latavius Murray — Buffalo Bills

Murry, in his Bills debut, recorded two carries for eight yards.

K Matt Prater — Arizona Cardinals

A few hours after congratulating current Knights’ kicker Colton Boomer on Twitter for his performance in the Boise State game, Prater went on to have a pretty solid game himself. He went three-for-three on field goals, with a long of 54 yards, in the Cardinals' 20-16 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Side note: Matt is not 50, but he is 39, and that 54-yarder extended his NFL record for most career FGs from 50+ to 72.

WR Brandon Johnson — Denver Broncos

Johnson recorded two catches for 31 yards in the Broncos’ 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

TE Jordan Akins — Cleveland Browns

In his Browns debut, Akins recorded a single reception for 12 yards. The Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-3.

LS Charley Hughlett — Cleveland Browns

Hughlett served as the Browns’ long snapper. He snapped the ball on seven punts, three field goal attempts, and one extra point attempt.

LS Alex Ward — Los Angeles Rams

Ward made his NFL debut in the Rams 30-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He served as the long snapper for three field goal attempts, four punts, and one extra point attempt.

DT Kalia Davis — San Fransisco 49ers

Davis, who missed his entire rookie season due to being placed on the non-football injury list, dressed for his first-ever NFL game. However, he didn’t record any stats in the 49ers 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

DB Mike Hughes — Atlanta Falcons

Hughes dressed in the Falcons game but did not record any stats.

Notable News

Former Knights OT Ryan Swoboda, who was cut by the Detroit Lions before the start of the season, was signed to the Jets’ practice squad.