Photo by Aryah Britt

Final push to kickoff

With UCF’s opening kickoff match against Bethune-Cookman only a month away, the Knights are full go as fall preseason camp begins.

As the Knights began their preparation for the upcoming season on August 3, they are looking to improve on their 5-7 record in the 2025 season. Under returning head coach Scott Frost, there is hope for progress.

In Frost’s second season as the Knights’ head coach, he prioritized experience as a focal point. When attacking the spring transfer portal cycle, he consequently secured his QB1 position with JMU transfer Alonza Barnett III.

As for the defense, UCF retained its lead tackler in senior linebacker Lewis Carter. Additionally, they added other leaders to the group, like Wisconsin transfer Tackett Curtis. Old Dominion transfer Jahleel Culbreath also joined the group.

While it has been a few months since we last saw UCF football in action during spring training camp, the intensity has not dipped as the team enters its final offseason stretch before the season approaches.

Sights from the field

In Monday’s opening preseason practice, the media was able to watch just a short portion but even with that here are some things that were present.

• In opening practice scrimmages, Barnett got off to a slow start, struggles to find completions in his limited throws with the first team. However, began to get his footing as he looked solid in his own drills with the fellow quarterbacks.
• Boise State redshirt sophomore transfer Kaleb Annett was seen taking reps with the second team, while not what we saw in spring camp, the QB2 position has yet to be solidified according to Frost.
• Running backs and wide receivers were pedal to the metal as the filled rooms looked to strengthen their bonds with the quarterbacks on receiving drills.
• On the opposite end of the field, the defense pushed with the same intensity, as they looked to instill the mindset of a violent defensive unit that maintained a lot of returners from last years roster.

Photo by Aryah Britt

Frost is looking for a team with a ‘chip on their shoulders’

Following practice, Coach Frost spoke to the media and made it clear that last year’s 5-7 record, while disappointing, doesn’t strike the roster the way many would assume.

• According to Coach Frost, he asked the players in a team meeting on Sunday who had stayed at UCF since joining, and only around 25-33% of the room raised their hands.
• Frost believes talking to the players about last season’s performance doesn’t mean much when the roster is mostly new players.
• However, he says that the standard and the expectations for the players are higher and believes that the added and returning pieces can meet those standards.
• Frost also mentioned that what he really wants to hone in on for the players is that UCF will not receive attention without earning it. He wants the team to play with that chip on their shoulder that can elevate the program where he would like it to be.
• He also stated that he doesn’t want the team to think big picture but think of what is the present and focus on the days as they come.

Backup quarterback question marks

Frost also shed light on the QB2 position. While the QB1 position is filled with Barnett, fans and the media are still wondering who will serve as his backup.

• Frost believes that the role is solidified. As mentioned earlier, Annett was seen taking second-team reps; however, Frost mentioned that FIU transfer Keyone Jenkins and freshman Rocco Marriott will also receive those reps.
• He also shared that he likes the entire room as a whole and their professional approach to how they handle things.
• Having a clear-cut number one also makes it easier and allows for less pressure on the starter and more focus on the backups as they compete for that role.
• Overall, Frost is enjoying what he is seeing from all the quarterbacks, and the battle for QB2 will continue more into camp.

Photo by Aryah Britt

Competition at several positions

During spring camp, some guys missed time. Also, a lot of the new transfers were just getting their footing in the program. However, now that we are in the fall, the roster is pretty much set as far as players go. Frost believes there are still battles to be won within.

• Frost said that all positions are there to be won and that no one at this stage will be crowned, and believes there are several positions that are having guys compete for playing time.
• Some crowded rooms that were mentioned as having strong competitions were offensive line, wide receiver, safeties, and linebackers.
• While Frost believes that they have upgraded at every position, there are still two big gaps to fill when it comes to edge rusher with the departures of Nyjalik Kelly and Malachi Lawrence to the NFL.
• Frost is depending on the guys in that room to step up like returners redshirt junior Isiah Nixon and junior Sincere Edwards, as well as new additions like redshirt senior Ken Talley and redshirt junior Bruno Dall.

Injury updates

Frost also addressed some injuries on the roster. Overall, he believes the team is really healthy. Below are some injuries that were mentioned.

• Senior defensive tackle RJ Jackson Jr. injured his toe in the spring, but Frost states he should be back sooner rather than later and was present in practice running.
• Dall is still dealing with a hamstring injury, but Frost doesn’t think it will be long until he is back on the field.
• Additionally, redshirt junior defensive back Jailen Duffie injured his toe doing plyometric jumps but states it is a short-term pain.

New team, higher expectations

Barnett also took the stand following practice and spoke to the media about what it means to be on the field following a held-back spring camp. Moreover, he even states the expectations he has set for himself are higher.

• Barnett hopes to raise the standard of the program while carrying Coach Frost’s vision and spreading that among the locker room, and he believes that the team has the guys to do it.
• Barnett highlighted UCF’s infrastructure in the program and finds similarities in JMU’s infrastructure and sees that there is already a culture set within the building and hopes to carry the standard.
• While excited, he stated that he is “tasked and mission focused” while also trying to be the best version of himself and build on his fundamentals.
• Barnett also expressed his desire to be a more vocal leader, leaning on Quarterbacks Coach McKenzie Milton to instill the mindset that “leadership is a contact sport.”
• When asked about having that chip on his shoulder as he looks to prove himself this upcoming season, he feels that it is felt around the room; however, his personal expectations are much greater.

Photo by Aryah Britt

Leadership mentality

Carter was last to take the stand following Monday’s practice and shared what he has seen from his group as he emerges into taking a large leadership role this upcoming season.

• Carter said the thing that has stuck out about this group is the maturity this team brings with all the experience added in over the transfer cycle, highlighting the group’s knowledge and production.
• In terms of communication and leadership, he sees himself improving on it each and every day as it gets stronger among the group that saw several new transfers enter the room.
• Carter has emphasized his improvement and desire to study more and mentally lock in, sharing that he has kept off social media to eliminate a lot of distractions.
• Carter also mentioned the mindset of maintaining a violent nature on defense brought to him by Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch. Emphasizing violent arms and violent hands when attacking the ball.
• As one of the returners on the defense, Carter looks at last season’s 5-7 record as motivation and is hungry to compete and improve on turnovers, a statistic the defensive unit lacked last year.
• When addressing Coach Frost’s comments about playing time competition, he says the right player has to be disciplined, have accountability, communicate, and be willing to work.

What’s Next?

• UCF will host its Local Media Day in the Nicholson Fieldhouse on Thursday, August 6.
• All eyes will be present for practice Saturday, August 8, but no media availability following practice.
• Media will get a chance to speak to Head Coach Scott Frost and select players on Monday, August 10, following practice.