UCF Knights 2025 Football Preview: Scott Frost’s Return and Rebuild

Grace period for Frost

UCF’s football program is changing directions as the 2025 season starts, making a U-Turn and bringing back once celebrated Coach Scott Frost to try and resurrect the Knights’ fortunes. Scott led the Knights to a 19-7 record in just two seasons in 2017 and 2018 before leaving for Nebraska where he failed miserably. Can Frost recapture the magic from an undefeated season and win in the Peach Bowl over Auburn? UCF seemingly has a long way to go before getting back to the Top 10 where they finished in his final season, even declaring themselves “National Champions” after the 2018 season.

What to expect in year one, round two? Newness. There was a mass exodus at UCF of graduating and transferring players, leaving gaping holes in the depth chart. The Knights brought in almost 70 new players who will have to learn to play together as a team, a tall task considering UCF’s recruiting class of true freshmen ranked 84th by the composite at 247 Sports. Ouch for a start to the new era. One player to keep an eye on though is Taveon Swint, a star running back at Osceola High School. With a group full of transfers to acclimate to Orlando, expectations are low. Staffers at 247 Sports picked UCF to finish 15th out of the 16 team Big 12. 

What to watch at UCF starts at the quarterback position. Jaccuri Brown returns, but he was mostly benched last season in favor of now transferred out Dylan Rizk. He is battling for the job with Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson. Jackson was impressive filling in last season, leading the Hoosiers to a win over Washington. It appears the Junior has the inside track to the job, but coaches are remaining silent on the matter as training camp starts. In the backfield, Myles Montgomery gets to lead the way as a senior, but carries will be split amongst three others competing for playing time. Both wide receiver and offensive lines are huge question marks for the Knights. If UCF wants to reach a bowl game, new players will have to step up at these positions.