Two-dozen UCF football players have publicly stated intentions to enter the transfer portal since Gus Malzahn resigned as head coach, but the Knights suffered arguably their biggest potential loss late Tuesday night.
Tight end Randy Pittman Jr., who has played 25 consecutive games for the Knights and was the team’s second-leading receiver as a true sophomore, plans to enter the portal, according to a report from On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos.
Pittman — a 6-foot-2, 235-pound Panama City native — caught 32 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 747 snaps, the most for any non-lineman among UCF offensive players.
Wherever he chooses to play next fall, Pittman will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Florida State stands out as a team to watch for Pittman in the portal, considering Malzahn is now on staff as the Seminoles‘ offensive coordinator. During his senior year at Mosley High, on his 18th birthday, Pittman flipped his commitment from FSU in UCF’s favor.
Nakos added, however, that Pittman is expected to be a “highly pursued portal player.”
UCF players had a one-week head start to officially enter the portal due to the coaching change. The window for most other programs opened Monday, running through Dec. 28. Among other significant Knights looking likely to depart are center Caden Kitler, guard Marcellus Marshall and cornerback Chasen Johnson.
Players that enter the portal are not required to transfer to a new school. They can change their mind and withdraw at any time, though only 4% of FBS scholarship transfers opted to stay last year, according to a Nov. 15 story written by ESPN’s Max Olson.
Scott Frost was officially hired as Malzahn’s replacement Saturday, and he began filling out his staff Tuesday afternoon by bringing back fan favorite McKenzie Milton as quarterbacks coach.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football: Randy Pittman Jr. plans to enter transfer portal
