UCF Coach Scott Frost Adjusting to Alonza Barnett III Injury
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
News of quarterback Alonza Barnett III's injury blindsided UCF Knights coach Scott Frost last Sunday night, forcing him to adjust on the fly for Week 3.
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Barnett is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury he sustained in UCF's second-to-last play in a 12-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers last Saturday.
It's a huge blow to the Knights' offense, as Frost said he felt Barnett got more comfortable with the offensive scheme throughout the season. The redshirt senior threw for 344 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and rushed for 22 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.
Frost has not confirmed a backup quarterback for Week 3's final nonconference game against the Georgia State Panthers, as he prepares for several weeks without his star.
"We're kind of putting together a game plan right now," Frost told reporters during Monday's media availability. "We have a plan for that. I don't really want to address it right now."
The Knights, unbeknownst to them, prepared for this scenario by signing multiple quarterbacks during January's transfer portal cycle. They signed Keyone Jenkins and Kaleb Annett, two potential starting candidates for Saturday's game.
Jenkins could be the most logical reinforcement for Frost, and Thamel expects the FIU transfer to start.
He brings three years of starting experience at his previous program, starting 35 games for the Panthers. The senior threw for 6,721 yards, 42 touchdowns and 25 interceptions, and rushed for 312 yards and 13 touchdowns throughout his FIU career.
Frost's offensive scheme best fits mobile quarterbacks, as the playbook includes rolling play actions and read options, and Jenkins' dual-threat ability synergizes well. He could be the best-fit backup for the Knights, providing a similar skill set, and the team's offense could carry on without a significant drop-off.
Annett is the wild card in this discussion, as he is three years removed from being the focal point of an offense since he graduated from Corona del Mar High School in 2023.
He committed to play for the Boise State Broncos, but received no in-game snaps in the past two seasons, prompting his transfer to UCF. The redshirt sophomore reunites with offensive coordinator Steve Cooper, who served as an offensive analyst at Boise State in Annett's freshman season.
Annett took backup quarterback reps during spring camp, despite having no starting experience, meaning Frost could see untapped potential in the underclassman.
While UCF is figuring out who will be the ninth starter since joining the Big 12 in 2023, Frost clarified when to expect a more informed update on Barnett.
"I'll know more about that when we get imaging back," Frost said. "They did take one image, but they're going to get another image. And I'll be able to know the duration of the injury a lot more in the next few days."
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos