UCF Athletics Hall of Fame RICK HAMILTON Inducted in 2006
As a standout linebacker and a knowledgeable scholar of the game, Rick Hamilton’s stellar career did not stop with UCF. A Knight from 1989-92, Hamilton ranks as the school’s all- me leader in tackles (443) and holds the school record for the longest intercep on return (97-yard touchdown). He also recorded at least 100 tackles in three of his four seasons with UCF, including the second-most single-season total of 149. Following gradua on, Hamilton was dra ed in the third round of the NFL Dra by the Washington Redskins. He went on to play with the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets.
SHAWN JEFFERSON Inducted in 2002
A wide receiver for UCF from 198890, Shawn Jefferson was a part of the team that guided the Knights to the FCS semifinals in 1990. He finished his career with three 100-yard receiving games and ranks seventh in the UCF annals for the longest recep on (76-yard touchdown). Jefferson was dra ed in 1991 by the Houston Oilers and spent 14 seasons in the NFL, playing with the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers and the Detroit Lions.
ED O’BRIEN Inducted in 2008
Ed O’Brien’s name is sca ered throughout UCF’s records sec on. One of UCF’s most decorated kickers, he was named a Kodak and Football News First Team All-America player in 1987. O’Brien also earned Associated Press All-America Second Team honors that same year. A record-holder for the longest field goal made (55 yards) in UCF history, O’Brien was the first to hit four field goals in a game and the first to make nine extra points in a contest. His 263 points in a season is the third most of any Knight; O’Brien’s 50 career field goals are ed for a school-best, while his 77 field goal a empts rank first all- me. In 2004, he earned honorable men on recogni on on the Orlando Sen nel’s 25th Anniversary UCF Football Team.
MICHAEL O’SHAUGHNESSY Inducted in 2010
Michael O’Shaughnessy was an original UCF football team member and racked up 22 career sacks, s ll ranking amongst the program’s best. He led UCF with 10 sacks in 1979 and 12 in 1980 while also le ering in baseball. O’Shaughnessy stayed very ac ve with UCF and went on to serve as an assistant coach, founded the UCF Le erman’s K Club, became a member of the Knights Boosters Board of Directors and even served as the football team’s sideline reporter.
DAVID RHODES Inducted in 2003
One of the best wide receivers to come through UCF, David Rhodes capped off his record-breaking career with back-to-back All-America honors in 1993 and 1994. Rhodes is the only Knight to record three seasons with at least 1,000-yards receiving and ranks first in career touchdowns with 29. He finished his career as the Knights’ all- me leader in recep ons (213), receiving yardage (3,618) and 100-yard receiving games (16). Following his me with the Knights, he signed with the NFL’s Cincinna Bengals and later played in NFL Europe.
DARRELL RUDD Inducted in 2008
One of the most consistently domina ng defensive linemen in Knights history, Darrell Rudd claimed record a er record during his me at UCF. He holds six school records, and shares one, all of which have gone unmatched from when they were originally set nearly 25 years ago. The records include most tackles in a season (150), fumbles recovered in a game (3), season (6) and career (11). Rudd recorded 19.5 sacks in 1984 and has 31.5 in his career, both which rank first all- me. A four-year letterwinner, he earned an honorable men on spot on Orlando Sen nel’s 25th Anniversary UCF Football Team and is only one of two Knights in program history to lead the team in sacks for three-consecu ve seasons.
SCOTT RYERSON Inducted in 2002
An Orlando product, Sco Ryerson kicked his way into UCF history. At the conclusion of his sophomore season in 1981, he earned All-America honors a er leading the team in scoring with 62 points, and connec ng on four field goals of 50 yards or longer, a school record. Ryerson also holds the school record for field goals in a season (18) and is ed for the most field goals made in a game (4). Ryerson, who leads all UCF kickers with the most field goals made 50 yards or more with seven, later signed a free agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
MARQUETTE SMITH Inducted in 2005
One of only two running backs in UCF history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, local product Marque e Smith set a then single-season school-record for rushing yards (1,511) and touchdowns (14) in 1995. Following that season, he earned second team All-America honors. Despite having played just two seasons with the Knights, Smith is fourth all- me in career rushing yards with 2,569. His career did not come to a halt when he le UCF, as the Carolina Panthers selected him in the fi h round of the 1996 NFL Dra .
BOB SPITULSKI Inducted in 2009
Bob Spitulski dominated at outside linebacker during his four-year UCF career and ul mately was dra ed in the third round by the Sea le Seahawks. Spitulski s ll ranks highly on several UCF career defensive record charts and retains the school’s benchmark with seven tacklesfor-loss in a single game (vs. Savannah State, Nov. 2, 1991). He led the team in sacks in three of his four seasons and went on to earn third-team All-America honors by the AP in 1991 as a senior. He also helped UCF to the 1990 Football Championship Subdivision semifinals.
2011 UCF Football Yearbook
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