Derry, Collins Top UCF’s 5 Impactful Transfers List
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The UCF Knights have not been a Big 12 title contender since joining the conference in 2023, but their activity in January's transfer portal window could change that.
UCF signed 33 new transfers, according to the UCFRoundtable portal tracker. James Madison transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett III headlines the haul, aiming to provide stability at a position that was plagued by injuries last season.
He will be the team's offensive engine as the lead signal-caller, but success isn't solely attributed to the quarterback. For the Knights to snap their two-year bowl drought, other transfers must step up.
The Daytona News-Journal's Chris Boyle highlighted the five most significant transfers that could do so.
Boyle started the list with Thomas Collins, a defensive tackle transfer from Oregon State. Collins started all 12 games for the Beavers, recording 30 tackles (4.5 TFLs), 0.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
Horace Lockett and RJ Jackson Jr. man the starting positions, but the Oregon State transfer could earn significant reps in fall camp. Injuries have limited Lockett's availability over the last two seasons, specifically a season-ending torn pectoral muscle after Week 4's matchup against Kansas State.
Rodeny Lora (Purdue), John Walker (Ohio State) and Derrick LeBlanc (Maryland) transferred to Big Ten programs. The Knights need a safety blanket to rely on in case of injuries once more.
Wide receiver Josh Derry is second on the list. He will likely be the lead receiver after being labeled the best returning wide receiver in the Big 12 and dominating the Football Championship Subdivision competition at Monmouth.
The former Hawk recorded 1,123 yards (14.78 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns on 76 receptions en route to an All-CAA First Team honor last season. Derry gives UCF its first proven 1,000-yard receiver since Javon Baker in 2023.
Texas transfer placekicker Will Stone is third. He is a wild card for the program that has no starting kicker.
Stone is competing with redshirt freshman Noah McGough for the starting position. Whoever comes out victorious has to fill the shoes of Noe Ruelas, who was one of the most efficient kickers in the Football Bowl Subdivision, nailing 15-for-17 field goals.
Buffalo transfer offensive lineman Henry Tabansi is fourth. The left tackle made 25 consecutive starts for his former program, earning a Pro Football and Sports Network College grade of 75.3 in the Mid-American Conference.
Louisville transfer running back Duke Watson rounds out Boyle's list. Watson led the nation in yards per carry (8.9) as a freshman before injuries and the emergence of his teammate, Isaac Brown, pushed him down the depth chart last year.
UCF has been a losing program for two seasons, and coach Scott Frost wants to change that. These five transfers, including Barnett, could be reinforcements that help the program have a winning season and make its first bowl game since 2023.
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