The UCF Knights football team will soon open fall preseason camp as they prepare for the 2026 season, the second under head coach Scott Frost in his return to Orlando. This roster will feature upwards of 40 new players, including transfers, freshmen, and walk-ons, to mesh with several important returnees from the 2025 team.

As we get you ready for the season, the Sons of UCF convened a panel of media and commentators who cover the team on a regular basis to rank the most important players on the 2026 roster. The criteria for “important” was left intentionally vague so that the respondents could evaluate with their individual perspective. The results were compiled and scored by the number of votes each player received. Those scores were then used to create a Top 10 ranking, which will be unveiled in a countdown over the coming days.

The panel included Christian Simmons (Pegasus Podcast), Eric Lopez (Around The Kingdom), Brian Peterson (Sons of UCF), Jeff Allen (To Your Point), Andrew Cherico (Knights247 & Sons of UCF), Trace Trylko (Sons of UCF), and Adam Eaton (Sons of UCF).

For the final installment, here are the two most important players for 2026

2. Lewis Carter – Linebacker

Photo Courtesy UCF Athletics

The senior linebacker is returning for his second season with the Knights after spending the early part of his career at Oklahoma. In 2025, Carter proved to be one of the most productive members of the Knights’ defense, amassing 92 total tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, while on his way to being selected to the Big 12 honorable mention team. The Tampa native is already generating buzz in national media, named to the Big 12 preseason 2nd team by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.

Trace Trylko: The leader on the Defense. Carter led the Knights in tackles in 2025. HC Scott Frost says he wants to see his players on post-season all-Conference teams more than on pre-season lists. Expect to see Carter’s name following a stand out 2026 season.

 

Andrew Cherico: What some may call the quarterback of the defense, I expect Carter to take a major leap in pass coverage as well and lead the middle of the field.

 

Brian Peterson: Carter led UCF in tackles in 2025 and returns as one of the conference’s top linebackers. If the defense is going to keep UCF competitive in close games (again), Carter must have an All-Big 12 type season.

1. Alonza Barnett – Quarterback

Photo Courtesy UCF Athletics

The headliner of UCF’s offseason portal class, Barnett arrives in Orlando with a ton of statistical achievements and game-ready experience. His two seasons as the primary starting quarterback at James Madison produced 49 touchdown passes and 22 touchdown runs to go along with 21 wins and an appearance in the 2025 College Football Playoff. Although slowed during Spring Camp due to an undisclosed injury, Barnett told the Sons of UCF at Big 12 Media Days that he is a full-go and has been working with the team throughout the summer.

Christian Simmons: This one goes without saying. Barnett’s ceiling and the ceiling of the 2026 season are very much tied together. If he plays as well as he did in the Sun Belt, UCF could be in for a fun year.

 

Andrew Cherico: The QB1, the man who many are banking on taking UCF to new heights in the Big 12. Whether Barnett is on the field or not is the difference between making or missing a bowl game.

 

Adam Eaton: After struggling to find consistency at QB in 2025, Barnett’s veteran presence and play-making ability will be a welcome sight for UCF. It’s not a stretch to think that the Knights will go as far as AB3 can take them.