As UCF enters its second season under coach Scott Frost, the Knights hope to answer several questions heading into the season.
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Can the Knights show improvement in Year 2?
While Frost’s first season back at UCF didn’t go as some had hoped, a 5-7 record wasn’t nearly as bad considering the challenges that came with his return. Now, with a year under his belt and with the addition of general manager Trent Mossbrucker, the 51-year-old coach has a better handle on the challenges of building a roster in 2026.
After welcoming close to 70 newcomers the previous season, the Knights did a much better job of retaining players the second time around. With more than 50 players returning and more than 40 newcomers, the roster is vastly improved over last season. Much of the focus in the transfer market was on experienced players, including quarterback Alonza Barnett III, receiver Josh Derry and safety Ty Bartrum, giving UCF a more veteran group.
That, coupled with a favorable schedule featuring home games against TCU, BYU, Baylor, Arizona State and Iowa State, should help the Knights become bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2023 season.
Is the quarterback position improved from last season?
It’s no secret that the quarterback position has been somewhat of a mess for UCF over the past few seasons. Injuries and ineffective play have forced the Knights to start six different players over the past 24 games, hurting the team’s consistency.
The addition of Barnett, a two-year starter at James Madison who was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year after combining for nearly 3,400 yards of offense and 38 total touchdowns, was a crucial piece in the rebuilding process.
With a record of 21-6 as a starter, Barnett helped guide the Dukes to a conference title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. While he spent much of spring camp on the sidelines, Barnett is expected to be 100% when the season starts.
If, by some chance, Barnett goes down, the Knights added several viable backups led by Keyone Jenkins, a multi-year starter at FIU. They also added Kaleb Annett, who spent time at Boise State, and a pair of talented freshmen, Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr.
What position faces the most scrutiny heading into the season?
Preston Cushman is the only returning starter on the offensive line, leaving UCF to focus on filling the remaining four spots up front. It’s the second straight season in which the Knights have had to rebuild the unit.
UCF added several linemen through the transfer market in the offseason, led by Henry Tabansi, Cooper Terpstra, Brady Wayburn and Tyler Gibson. Tabansi, a tackle, and Wayburn, a guard, were multi-year starters at Buffalo and UConn, respectively, amassing more than 2,200 offensive snaps.
Terpstra, meanwhile, saw some action at center at Michigan State while Gibson was limited at Georgia Tech at tackle.
Returnees Connor Meadows, Owen Spell, LaParka Langston, Justin Royes and Jacob Maiva also figure to be a part of a rotation put together by new offensive line coach AJ Blazek. Only Meadows (270) and Spell (202) have seen significant snaps last season.
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How quickly the group gels will be critical to how the Knights stack up in the run game and in protecting the quarterback.
Which returnee can make the biggest impact?
Horace Lockett Jr. only took part in 113 snaps last season, but the 6-foot-6, 355-pound defensive tackle was still considered one of the top defenders on the team.
Lockett, who suffered a season-ending injury four games into the season, led the team with an 85.2 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus and an 87.8 pass-rushing grade, behind defensive end Malachi Lawrence.
With the Knights already needing to replace three of the four starters on the defensive front, Lockett’s return could provide a huge boost for the unit. Last season, UCF finished middle of the pack in the Big 12 in sacks, tackles for loss and rushing defense.
Still, pressure up front helped a secondary finish near the top of the conference in passing defense.
Which transfer(s) can make the biggest impact?
The special teams unit typically gets overshadowed, but with a pair of new specialists in kicker Will Stone and punter Atticus Bertrams, the Knights find themselves relying on the duo to lead the group.
Stone spent his four years at Texas serving primarily as the Longhorns’ kickoff specialist and hasn’t kicked a field goal in college. He booted a pair of extra points during the semifinals of the 2024 College Football Playoff.
Still, special teams coordinator Pete Alamar believes the senior has what it takes to be successful.
Bertrams, who grew up in Australia, served as the specialist punter for Wisconsin last season, averaging more than 41 yards per punt. The Knights, who ranked near the bottom of the league in punting last season, are hoping to show improvement in that area.
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.
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