Drafted in the first round of 1999's NFL Draft, quarterback Daunte Culpepper was UCF's top professional athlete for a number of years. In the decade to follow, players such as Asante Samuel and Brandon Marshall have made their mark at the next level and developed into bonafide NFL stars. Other former Knights, like golfer Cliff Kresge, have excelled on the PGA Tour.

For the first time ever, UCFSports.com ranks the Knights' top 10 professional athletes based on their status in 2009 - a current "power ranking" if you will.

10. Jermaine Taylor - Professional basketball

It is somewhat premature to include Taylor on this list, but in less than a month the 2009 Conference USA Player of the Year should be UCF's first NBA Draft pick of the modern era. Taylor has worked out for several NBA teams in the last two months and will be among the 52 participants at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago later this week. Mock drafts currently project Taylor as a possible late first round selection.

9. Atari Bigby - Professional football (Green Bay Packers)

Bigby was signed as a free agent following his 2004 senior season at UCF. He didn't make the early cut with the Miami Dolphins or New York Jets, but later found a home with the Green Bay Packers. His breakout year came in 2007 when he earned the starting spot at strong safety. He picked off five passes that season and earned Defensive Player of the Month honors for December. He was sidelined for much of 2008 and ended the year on injured-reserve.

8. Cliff Kresge - Professional golf

Kresge golfed collegiately from 1988-90 and in recent years has made a big splash on the pro circuit. He's earned more than $3.6 million on the PGA Tour since 2007 and had four top 10 finishes in 2008.

7. Michael Gaines - Professional football (Chicago Bears)

Gaines has made the most of his opportunity after being selected in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. The tight end has appeared in 73 games with 41 starts in five seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2004-06), Buffalo Bills (2007) and Detroit Lions (2008) and has caught 79 career passes for 810 yards and 5 touchdowns. He recently signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.

6. Mike Walker - Professional football (Jacksonville Jaguars)

A third round selection in 2007, Walker joined the Jacksonville Jaguars with a lot of promise, but missed his first NFL season due to an injury in the preseason. He saw his first action this past year and would go on to appear in nine games with one start in 2008, catching 16 passes for 217 yards. Walker has impressed this spring during workouts and is considered by some to be the favorite to start at wide receiver this fall alongside newly acquired free agent Torry Holt.

5. Daunte Culpepper - Professional football (Detroit Lions)

Culpepper, a three time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, is in the midst of reviving his career and could be the favorite to start for the Lions over Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. Culpepper "retired" prior to 2008, but late in the season signed with Detroit and went on to play in four games before injuring his shoulder.

4. Rashad Jeanty - Professional football (Cincinnati Bengals)

Jeanty first latched on in the Canadian Football League after his two seasons at UCF (2001-02) and a strong showing north of the border earned him a roster spot with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006. The defensive end has started 31 games over the last three seasons, including 15 of 16 games a year ago. He totaled 96 tackles in 2008, which was fourth-most on the team, and was voted by his teammates for the Ed Block Courage Award, which honors players who "demonstrate commitment to the values of sportsmanship and courage."

3. Kevin Smith - Professional football (Detroit Lions)

Smith ran all over opponents during his junior season at UCF in 2007 and nearly broke Barry Sanders' single-season NCAA rushing mark. He was a third round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and went on to have a solid rookie season for the Lions. Earning a starting role, he led the team in rushing attempts (238), rushing yards (976), rushing average (4.1) and rushing touchdowns (8).

2. Brandon Marshall - Professional football (Denver Broncos)

Marshall clearly established himself as a NFL superstar in 2008. After solid campaigns in 2006 and 2007, the former Knight entered last season as Denver's No. 1 wide receiver and in his first appearance of the year on Sept. 14, 2008 set a Broncos record with 18 receptions in a 39-38 victory over San Diego. He ended the year with 104 catches for 1,265 yards and six touchdowns to earn a starting spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team.

1. Asante Samuel - Professional football (Philadelphia Eagles)

A two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, Samuel is regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He holds the NFL record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown in the postseason (4) and is coming of back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. He cashed in last year when he signed a five-year, $56 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.