UCF's 2026 QB Room Ranked Top 50 in College Football
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Entering head coach Scott Frost's second year back at UCF, expectations have risen, as both players and coaches have talked about competing in the Big 12 and trying to get back to bowl contention.
Starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III spearheads these goals, as he brings veteran leadership and winning experience to a quarterback room that has lacked consistency over the past few seasons.
On Friday, College Football analyst Phil Steele ranked the best QB units in the country, with the Knights landing at No. 47.
Barnett led James Madison to a College Football Playoff berth last season, where he shined in the first round against a talented Oregon defensive unit.
With the Dukes scoring 34 points, Barnett accounted for three total touchdowns while throwing for 273 yards passing and recording 45 yards rushing.
In the following round, the same Oregon defense blanked the Big 12-Champion Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Now, Barnett has an opportunity to perhaps sneak onto NFL Draft boards with a strong showing at the power four level with UCF.
Outside of Barnett, UCF has solid depth at the position, bringing in Florida Atlantic University transfer Keyone Jenkins and Boise State transfer Kaleb Annett.
Jenkins projects as the QB2 for the Knights this season and adds more veteran presence to the quarterback room.
Nicknamed "Lights out," Jenkins has lots of experience, throwing for nearly 7,000 yards in his three-year career.
He also continues the trend of in-state transfers for UCF, as the program has done well to keep players looking for a new home in Florida.
Annett, on the other hand, did not play for the Broncos, and will get an opportunity to learn behind two experienced signal callers before perhaps being handed the reigns next season.
Four-star freshman quarterback Rocco Marriott is another interesting piece of the puzzle, as he flipped his commitment to join UCF this upcoming season. Marriott was previously committed to James Madison.
Standing at 6'4 and weighing 220 pounds, Marriott's physical tools are advanced for his age and many Knights fans are excited to see him in black and gold.
One user on X, @dali_drama,= tweeted prior to his official flip, saying "Rocco Marriott's build for a freshman QB moves me. Close." That's just what the Knights did.
Entering this season, the QB carousel that UCF has endured over the years should come to a halt, as Barnett is the bonafide starter from day one.
However, if Barnett misses time, the Knights have solid depth in the room to stay afloat during his absence.
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