Welcome to UCF Knights on SI's countdown to kickoff!In this series, we are going to introduce you to every single player on the 2026 UCF football roster so that you can know what to expect from them or even pinpoint the ones you want to follow throughout the coming season. We are going to go through the Knights' roster in reverse jersey-number order, with the day each player's entry is published corresponding to the number of days remaining until UCF's season-opener on Sep. 3 at 7 p.m. against Bethune-Cookman.So, with 56 days to go, let's meet UCF EDGE Patrick Ryan:Who is Patrick Ryan?What did he do last season?What role is he going to have in 2026?1. Who is Patrick Ryan?Position: EDGEClass: FreshmanHeight/Weight: 6-foot-4 / 220 poundsHometown: Lake Mary, FloridaHigh School: Lake Mary High SchoolPatrick Ryan was one of the leaders of the Lake Mary Rams football team during his senior season, serving as a team captain during their run to the FHSAA 7A State Championship in 2025 against Vero Beach, which was depicted in the documentary "Lake Hail Mary."Ryan did not just lead on the football field, though. He was also a team captain and midfielder on Lake Mary's lacrosse team. Before he was named a captain for his senior season, he played in 19 of 20 games as a junior during the Rams' spring 2025 run to the FHSAA 2A State Semifinals.2. What did he do last season?Very blessed to be named first team all state! (7A)@LMRamsFootball @Coachrobmarler @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/yvvJpkyJc6— Patrick Ryan (@Patrick_Ryan8) April 9, 2026Ryan was named to FloridaHSFootball.com's All-State 7A team and the Orlando Sentinel's All-Area Second Team after leading the Rams with 7.7 tackles per game, according to MaxPreps. In total, he made 115 tackles, 41 of which were solo tackles. He also recorded five tackles for a loss, two sacks and an interception.3. What role is he going to have in 2026?After playing as a linebacker in high school, Ryan is now an EDGE with the Knights after signing with the program as a walk-on.Considering the transition to a new position, his arrival in the fall and being a part of the last college football recruiting class that can utilize the redshirt, Ryan is likely not going to see the field much during his true freshman season, if at all. Perhaps, in time, he could once again become a team leader, but the foundations for him to assume such a role with the Knights would have to be laid now.Catch up on the rest of the list below:No. 57 Camp LottNo. 58 Connor MeadowsNo. 61 Owen SpellNo. 66 Brady WayburnNo. 67 Noah SenkaNo. 68 Ethan HigginsNo. 70 RaiShaun McHaneyNo. 71 Amahn WilliamsNo. 72 Dominick CampbellNo. 73 Henry TabansiNo. 74 Matthew PrigmoreNo. 75 Tyler GibsonNo. 76 Justin RoyesNo. 77 Kasiyah CharltonNo. 78 Preston CushmanNo. 79 Daniel MarcellinusNo. 80 Elijah HardyNo. 81 Zack PalmerNo. 82 Jordyn BridgewaterNo. 83 Dylan BurkNo. 84 Thomas WadsworthNo. 85 Carson HinshawNo. 86 Chase HinshawNo. 87 Brooks HallNo. 88 Grayson BrousseauNo. 89 Caleb RollersonNo. 90 Mujahid JeffersonNo. 92 Jeffson LafontantNo. 93 Brad GurleyNo. 94 L A Jesse HarroldNo. 95 RJ Jackson Jr.No. 96 Anthony CoaxumNo. 97 Josh Schell and Mason DenabergNo. 98 Alhassan IddrissuNo. 99 Thomas CollinsAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow