PROMINENT ALUMNI
Part of UCF’s History F
or the past three decades, UCF Athletics has seen dozens of its former student-athudent-athletes achieve athletic greatness following graduation. Starting with one of the most famous women’s soccer players of all-time, Michelle Akers, the acclaim has shift hifted to the football program’s current status as one of the top NFL pipelines outsidee of the six automatic qualifying conferences. When the 2009 NFL season began, 15 former Knights were listed on opening ing day rosters, the most among all Conference USA programs.
Highlighting UCF’s prominent student-athlete alumni are: Name Michelle Akers Atari Bigby Joe Burnett Drew Butera Daunte Culpepper Robert Damron Michael Gaines Cornell Green Mike Gruttadauria Rashad Jeanty Shawn Jefferson Darcy Johnson Mike Maroth Brandon Marshall
Matt Prater Asante Samuel (right)
Mike Sims-Walker Josh Sitton Kevin Smith Jermaine Taylor (left) Torell Troup Tyra Turner
Michelle Akers
Kevin Smith
Significant Accomplishment • FIFA's Women’s Player of the Century (2002) • Starting cornerback with the Green Bay Packers • First-team All-American • Cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers • Catcher for the Minnesota Twins • NFL first round draft pick • Three-time Pro Bowl selection • PGA Tour professional • Tight end for the Houston Texans • Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers • 12-year NFL veteran • Super Bowl champion with the St. Louis Rams • Outside linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals • Longtime NFL receiver • Two-time Super Bowl participant • Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants • Longtime MLB pitcher • Currently with the Minnesota Twins • Two-time NFL Pro Bowl selection • The highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history • Currently with the Miami Dolphins • Starting kicker for the Denver Broncos • Three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection • Two-time Super Bowl champion • Currently with the Philadelphia Eagles • Starting Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver • Starting guard for the Green Bay Packers • Consensus first-team All-American • Tailback for the Detroit Lions • Guard for the Houston Rockets • 2010 second round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills • AVP Pro Volleyball Tour player
Brandon Marshall
Mike Maroth
Mike Sims-Walker