Scott Frost is set to start his second season back with UCF, but this time around, things appear less chaotic than they did last season.
Read more Cops: Suspected drug trafficker kills 2 in crash while fleeing Seminole deputies
For one, the Knights enter fall camp with a dedicated starting quarterback in Alonza Barnett III rather than facing a three-man competition between Tayven Jackson, Cam Fancher or Jacurri Brown. Barnett’s track record indicates a proven winner, capable of leading a team to the College Football Playoff.
This year’s version of the team didn’t undergo as severe an overhaul as it did last season with nearly 50 newcomers on the roster. That’s a far cry from the nearly 70 that joined last season’s team, which finished 5-7. And unlike last season, most of the new additions are experienced, allowing the coaching staff to focus more on X’s and O’s rather than teaching techniques.
“I’m really confident. Everything just feels so much better than it did before,” Frost told the Orlando Sentinel by telephone from Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. “I am infinitely more proud of our team and excited to go into a game with them than I was a year ago and hopefully that leads to success.”
Still, national expectations aren’t high for the Knights this season.
The team is projected to finish near the bottom of the Big 12 by several publications, including Athlon (15th) and Lindy’s Sports (13th), while others, such as USA Today, are more optimistic, with UCF finishing 11th.
The Big 12 did away with its own preseason poll several years ago.
“I’ve got a team that really believes in what we have right now and being hungry to go out there and prove it to everybody else,” said Frost. “I don’t think I’m going to have to tell the guys that. They’re confident and excited for the opportunity.”
Barnett’s status is perhaps the biggest uncertainty heading into camp after the coaching staff chose to limit the senior in spring camp.
“The timing was weird because he was 100% ready to go by the end of spring, but we decided to wait until spring was over,” Frost explained. “He’s been on the field and we’ve got to see him do a lot with some of the OTAs and things we’re allowed to do now. Man, I’m impressed with his ability, but also his command and presence.
“We look like a different team with him in there. He’ll be full go come fall camp and we look forward to building with it.”
Read more Attorney Matt Morgan wants to save Winter Park’s endangered Merrywood House
While Barnett has the starting quarterback spot locked up, there are some position battles that could still be up for grabs when UCF kicks off preseason camp in less than a month. Frost believes some of those battles are a testament to the additional depth the Knights added in the offseason.
“I’m excited to see how the share of carries plays out in the running back room,” said Frost. “There is a little bit of a battle at receiver, but all those guys are going to play. Offensive line … we have a decision to make with Connor Meadows, whether he’s going to be a center or a guard and that depends on how fast our guards and centers come along.
“Our defensive line is a moot point because all those guys are going to play, but safety and nickel are going to be interesting.”
Even as the roster takes shape, Frost knows the Knights face plenty of challenges ahead heading into the season opener against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Aug. 27. His hope is that his team will be ready to confront those difficulties head-on.
“(I hope) we have the toughness and grit to fight and win and see things through to the end,” he said.
“The beginning of the schedule is challenging. Pitt (Pittsburgh) is going to be challenging, TCU at home to start the conference is a challenge and the two road games (Houston, Oklahoma State) in a row after that is a challenge. We’ve got to battle and win our share of games early and then try to catch some momentum and get going.”
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Read more Orange County School Board considers new rules for e-bikes, e-scooters