Rumors started to circulate on Wednesday afternoon that UCF wide receiver Xavier Townsend was planning to preserve his redshirt to transfer this offseason.
With Townsend being a third-year player for the Knights — and a starter at that — the news made its rounds quickly that one of UCF’s top speedsters could be out for the rest of the 2024 season.
Now, on Thursday, Townsend has addressed the rumors by making an official announcement on his future.
“First off, I would like to thank my coaches and the entire UCF family for the opportunity to further my education and be a part of this great football tradition,” he wrote. “It was not an easy decision, but after deep thought and much prayer, I’ve decided to use my redshirt year and will be entering the transfer portal.
“Coach Malzahn, Coach Harris and the entire staff have been great mentors as well as coaches. I will value every lesson I have learned over the last two-plus years. I will miss my teammates the most as they have turned into my brothers. I wish you guys the best, and I will be pulling for you guys to win every game. I appreciate fighting alongside you guys.”
Listed at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Townsend has served as UCF’s starting slot receiver since he arrived on campus as part of the 2022 recruiting class. In that time, he appeared in 29 games, totaling 1,625 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.
