​Qualifying for their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons since joining the Big 12, the UCF Knights have drawn substantial attention from major-league scouts. As the MLB draft begins on July 11, UCF’s top bats and arms will soon learn their professional destinations, with NBC and Peacock carrying the first 10 picks from 1 to 2:30 p.m., MLB Network handling picks 11 through 40, and MLB.com broadcasting picks 41 through 135, covering the first four rounds. Rounds 5 through 20 are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on July 12 and will be streamed on MLB.com.
Five Knights are anticipated to be in the draft mix this weekend, starting with a clear frontrunner who could join UCF’s exclusive club. Andrew Williamson, listed as No. 11, connected for a hit against Stetson on March 24, 2026, at Melching Field. The primary question about Williamson is whether he will become UCF’s fifth first-round pick in program history—and the first in 22 years. To date, the Knights have seen first-round selections from pitcher Matt Fox (Minnesota Twins, 2004), pitcher Justin Pope (St. Louis Cardinals, 2001), pitcher Joe Wagner (Milwaukee Brewers, 1993), and outfielder Chad Mottola (Cincinnati Reds, 1992). A 6-foot, 195-pound junior outfielder, Williamson earned All-Big 12 second-team honors and was a member of the Auburn Regional’s all-tournament team after posting an impressive line: .322 batting average, .442 on-base percentage, and a .645 slugging percentage, along with 16 home runs, 48 RBIs, 58 runs scored, 13 doubles, and eight stolen bases.
MLB Pipeline currently ranks Williamson as the No. 48 overall prospect in the draft class. They describe his frame, compact swing, and power from the left side as giving off “some Alek Thomas or Nate McLouth type vibes.” Williamson is also notable off the field as the nephew of former Tampa Bay Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez, a detail that often resonates with scouts evaluating character and makeup.
Another Knights outfielder to watch is DeAmez Ross. The Melbourne native started all but one game in center field and ranked among the team leaders in multiple categories. He compiled 17 multi-hit games and 11 multi-RBI games while hitting at the top of the order. Ross finished with a .287 batting average in his senior season, scored 36 runs, and drove in 38. He also demonstrated surprising speed, going 16 for 18 on stolen-base attempts, and established himself as one of the conference’s top defenders with a .982 fielding percentage. UCF coach Rich Wallace highlighted Ross’s character, saying, “Nobody’s going to be around DeAmez for more than 30 seconds without wanting to be around him more. He’s a guy you want in your building.”
John Smith III also figures prominently in the draft projections. Smith transferred from South Alabama and earned All-Big 12 second-team honors in his lone season with the Knights. He finished among the team leaders in several offensive categories, ranking second in batting average (.322), slugging percentage (.574), doubles (13), and home runs (12). The 6-foot-1, 200-pound outfielder from Apollo Beach also showed the ability to reach base consistently, contributing to his overall value to the Knights.
As the draft weekend arrives, UCF’s lineup features a mix of power, speed, and reliable defense, with Williamson carrying the potential to be the program’s next first-round pick and other Knights like Ross and Smith III presenting strong cases for professional consideration across multiple rounds. The aura around the Knights’ prospects reflects not only their on-field production but also the broader momentum of a program that has grown into a consistent NCAA Tournament presence in the Big 12 era.