UCF position preview: Quarterback
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The first in a position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into fall camp:
TODAY: QUARTERBACK
What to expect
After playing musical chairs at quarterback for much of last season, the Knights enter fall camp with the starting job squarely on the shoulders of James Madison transfer Alonza Barnett III.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Barnett is coming off a career year in which he earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year honors while leading the Dukes to a conference championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Related Articles
- Bianchi: After standing up to Texas Tech, Commissioner Brett Yormark and the Big 12 are the new heroes of college athletics
- UCF flips three-star New Jersey linebacker from Syracuse
- From France’s wine country to UCF, Aymeric Koumba eager to showcase his talents
- UCF earns commitment from Lakeland offensive lineman
- UCF football adds verbal commitments from RB, CB, edge rusher to 2027 class
Barnett finished his time at JMU as a two-year starter with more than 6,000 yards of total offense and 72 total touchdowns.
Still, his status remains a concern after being limited throughout much of spring camp. While the coaching staff remains optimistic that there will be no issues when preseason camp opens, it remains something to keep an eye on.
Meanwhile, Keyone Jenkins appears to be the frontrunner in a competition for Barnett’s backup. The senior was a multi-year starter at FIU and is the only quarterback outside of Barnett with college experience. He appeared in 33 games for the Panthers, finishing with 6,713 yards with 42 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.
Kaleb Annett, a former three-star product out of Corona del Mar (Calif.) High School, spent two seasons at Boise State. He’s been pushing Jenkins, as have freshmen Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr. Both were early enrollees and hope to push for spots on the depth chart.
What they’re saying
“We’re just in a new era where getting guys to the season is as important as anything and he’s played a ton of football, so I’m not really worried about him at all. I love where he is with his progress, both knowing the offense and physically.” — UCF coach Scott Frost on Barnett’s status coming out of spring camp.
Returners
None
Departures
Tayven Jackson (transfer to North Texas): 2,151 passing yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs; 85 rushing yards, 3 TDs.
Cam Fancher (transfer to Michigan State): 333 passing yards; 170 rushing yards, TD.
Jacurri Brown (transfer Rice) | 97 passing yards: TD, INT; 142 rushing yards, 2 TDs.
Davi Belfort (transfer to James Madison): 53 passing yards, INT; 94 rushing yards, TD.
Brock Hansel (eligibility)
Arrivals
Alonza Barnett III (James Madison), redshirt senior
Keyone Jenkins (FIU), senior
Kaleb Annett (Boise State), redshirt sophomore
Rocco Marriott (Platte County High), freshman
Dante Carr (Minersville High), freshman
Projected depth chart
QB1 — Alonza Barnett III
QB2 — Keyone Jenkins
QB3 — Kaleb Annett
QB4 — Rocco Marriott
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos