DALLAS — One year into his return to UCF, Scott Frost believes the biggest difference isn’t found on the depth chart or in the playbook. It’s in the locker room.

Speaking to the Sons of UCF at Big 12 Media Days, Frost painted the picture of a program that has regained its identity after an up-and-down first season back in Orlando. While expectations remain measured externally, the veteran head coach made it clear he likes the direction his team is heading.

“I just love our team right now,” Frost said. “If there are people that weren’t willing or able to get on board with what we were trying to do, they’re not here anymore.”

That cultural shift could serve as an important development for a Knights team looking to take a significant step forward in year two under Frost.

A Team Built on Toughness

One of the biggest frustrations during the 2025 season was the Knights inability to consistently finish close games. UCF showed flashes of competing, but often failed to make the critical play when it mattered most, notably against Kansas and Houston.

This offseason, Frost prioritized bringing in players with grit and competitive fire.

“There were times we had control of the game if we just take it,” Frost said. “Go make the tough play when we need to. We didn’t do that enough last year.”

He believes this roster is different.

“We definitely have more guys now that have it inside of them than we did.”

That mentality will be tested immediately. UCF opens conference play against TCU before back-to-back road trips to Oklahoma State and Houston, a stretch Frost believes could define the season.

Barnett Brings New Leadership

Much of UCF’s optimism centers around quarterback Alonza Barnett.

Frost praised Barnett’s competitiveness, decision-making, and command of the offense, saying those qualities stood out long before he arrived in Orlando.

“I was really impressed watching him with his ability to find a way to win,” Frost said.

After being limited during spring practices, Barnett has quickly established himself as one of the team’s leaders.

“His command presence and just the respect that he has from the team is impressive,” Frost said. “He’s got the type of personality that guys want to be around.”

Ignoring the Outside Noise

Since the end of the 2025 season, Frost has been repeatedly asked to compare this upcoming season to the magical 2017 season at UCF, when the Knights completed one of college football’s greatest turnarounds, from winless in 2015 to undefeated in 2017.

While appreciative of what that team accomplished, he’s focused solely on building this year’s squad.

“My goal isn’t to repeat that,” Frost said. “My goal is to keep working and do what we have to do to make UCF competitive for a conference championship in the Big 12.”

That mindset also extends to preseason projections.

Despite receiving little recognition in preseason All-Big 12 voting and not being viewed by many as a conference contender, Frost isn’t concerned.

“We’ve got to earn it,” he said. “Until we go prove it, that’s not going to change.”

A Hungry Program

One thing that Frost stressed throughout the conversation was the collective hunger throughout the program.

From transfers looking to prove themselves at the Power Four level to assistant coaches seeking redemption, Frost sees a roster motivated by something deeper than rankings.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that are hungry to prove how good they are,” he said.

That chip on the shoulder extends to Frost himself.

Asked whether he still feels he has something to prove, the coach answered without hesitation.

“Oh yeah.”

Whether that motivation translates into wins remains to be seen, but Frost believes this version of UCF is better equipped to handle the grind of a Big 12 season.

“Everybody’s bought in,” he said. “Everybody’s working hard. Everybody’s pulling the rope in the same direction.”

For a program looking to climb the conference standings, Frost believes that’s where any championship pursuit begins.