The deadline for NFL teams to have their rosters cut to 53 players was on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Four of UCF’s six NFL rookies who participated in the 2021 preseason made the cut, as FS Richie Grant, CB Aaron Robinson, TE Jacob Harris, and CB Tay Gowan each earned roster spots.
RB Otis Anderson and WR Tre Nixon were both released prior to the deadline.
Grant, the Knights’ rookie who was selected the earliest in the 2021 NFL Draft at pick No. 40 overall, made the cut for the Atlanta Falcons’ 53-man roster. Grant is listed as the Falcons’ third string free safety, according to the team’s depth chart.
Robinson, who was the New York Giants’ Third Round pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, was placed on the Giants’ Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, due to a core injury. Robinson is currently listed as the fourth string for the left cornerback position on the Giants’ depth chart.
Harris, who played wide receiver for the Knights, was named to the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster as a tight end. The Rams’ Fourth Round draft pick was one of only four tight ends who made the cut.
It was announced on Tuesday that Gowan, the Arizona Cardinals’ Sixth Round draft pick, earned a roster spot with the team. The former Knight defensive back’s seven total tackles in the Cardinals’ two preseason games likely played a key factor into the decision.
Gowan is currently the fourth string for the Cardinals’ cornerback 2 spot, according to the team’s depth chart.
Anderson only saw action in one of three preseason games the Los Angeles Rams played. In the lone contest vs. the Denver Broncos, Anderson had three rushing attempts that went for a total of 10 yards. The former Knight also hauled in two receptions going for a total of 16 yards.
Like Anderson, Nixon only saw action in one of three games of the New England Patriots’ preseason slate. Nixon caught two receptions that went for a total of 11 yards in the Patriots’ preseason finale vs. the New York Giants.
Anderson and Nixon are both currently free agents.
