August 9th isn’t typically a big date on the NFL calendar. This year, it marks the first full slate of preseason contests after the Hall of Fame game officially kicked off the start of preseason play. Business as usual for the pros, but it was a big evening for the UCF Knights as a number of prominent members of the undefeated 2017 squad are now sporting new uniforms to reboot their football careers at the next level.

While continuing to wear black and gold as he suits up to hit the field for the New Orleans Saints, Tre’Quan Smith continued another typical phenomenon in his career — sitting at the top of the stat sheet in receiving yards. While facing fellow Knight alumni Blake Bortles and AJ Bouye from the other sideline in Jacksonville, Smith turned in four catches for 48 yards. Not bad for the first outing by a third-round pick who wasn’t a “natural hands catcher” according to scouting reports.

The Houston Texans drafted tight end Jordan Aikens after his stint at UCF in the third round. Not to be outdone, he may not have been tops in yards, but Aikens did lead in a different category among receivers — touchdowns. In his debut, the former Knight hauled in a pair of catches from six and 14 yards out to account for 12 points against the Kansas City Chiefs.

One Akins TD is nice.

Two Akins TDs are better. pic.twitter.com/gErzyfv7ru — Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 10, 2018



Last, but definitely not least, the biggest story of the 2018 NFL Draft, linebacker Shaquem Griffin, turned in a fantastic performance in his first game dawning Seattle Seahawk green. While his Seahawks were hosting the Indianapolis Colts in front of the 12th man, Griffin began his dream of playing with his twin brother Shaquil Griffin by leading his squad in tackles. His final count for the night was nine tackles with six solos and one for a loss.

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