Meet the new Knights players UCF has landed from transfer portal

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

It took a few days, but UCF is making a big splash in the transfer window as the Knights signed former James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III.

Barnett is the first of what should be a slew of signings over the next two weeks as the Knights look to fill out their roster for the 2026 season.

Here is a look at the transfer signings so far:

QB ALONZA BARNETT III

Vitals: 6-0, 216 pounds

Resume: Barnett was a 3-star prospect from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., when he signed with James Madison as part of its 2022 recruiting class. He was the No. 179 overall quarterback in the class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Role: Barnett recently completed his fourth season with the Dukes, finishing with 5,433 passing yards and 49 touchdowns with 13 interceptions while adding 1,075 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. He was named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year after accounting for 3,395 yards of total offense and 38 total touchdowns. He also earned first-team honors for the first time in his career.

Outlook: He’s a dual-threat option with tremendous speed and a quick-release that gives him the ability to make explosive plays in the passing game. Barnett led James Madison to a 21-6 record while also guiding the team to the College Football Playoff this season.

DB KAHMEL JOHNSON

Vitals: 6-2, 200 pounds

Resume: Johnson was a multi-sport standout at Riverside High School, having played track and field and football for the Generals. He was credited with 14 tackles, 4 passes defended with one interception and one fumble recovery in his senior season, before signing with Wayne State College in 2024.

Role: The Jacksonville native appeared in 13 games in his two seasons with the Wildcats. He totaled 37 tackles and 3 interceptions this season, earning a spot on the first team, All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Outlook: Johnson joins a secondary that is already returning starters Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall.

RB LANDEN CHAMBERS

Vitals: 5-11, 215 pounds

Resume: Chambers was a 3-star prospect out of Fossil Ridge High School in Keller, Texas, when he signed with Central Arkansas as part of its 2024 recruiting class. He was a multi-sport athlete who also competed in track and field.

Role: Chambers appeared in 8 games for the Bears as a freshman, rushing for 176 yards with a touchdown. This past season, he led the team in rushing with 1,313 yards on 242 carries with 10 rushing touchdowns. He was also fourth on the team in receiving with 238 yards on 27 catches.

Outlook: The departures of Myles Montgomery, Jaden Nixon and Stacey Gage left the backfield thin on experience. Chambers gives the Knights a legitimate starter to couple with Taevion Swint and Agyeman Addae.

OL COOPER TERPSTRA

Vitals: 6-4, 265 pounds

Resume: Terpstra signed with Michigan State in 2023 as a 2-star prospect out of West Ottawa High School in Holland, Michigan.

Role: He played sparingly in 2024 and 2025, taking part in nearly 190 offensive snaps, mainly on special teams.

Outlook: New offensive line coach AJ Blazek didn’t stray far from his roots in the Big Ten to find his first offensive lineman. Terpstra brings multiple years of eligibility and can help add depth to the unit.

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