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UCF Knights 2026 Football Preview: Bigger Expectations for Coach Frost
Photo of Lewis Carter courtesy of UCF Athletics
UCF moves into the second year of the Scott Frost era looking to recapture past glory and move past a slow start to life in the Power Four. The Knights improved to 5-7 in the first year of Frost’s return, but were mostly outclassed in Big 12 competition, getting blasted in road games at Texas Tech, Baylor, and BYU plus also falling at Kansas State and Cincinnati. UCF was 2-7 in conference play.
A losing campaign is not good enough for a young fanbase that has high expectations. Knight fans are plenty patient with Scott Frost back in Orlando to lead the team, and in year two, Frost is as well. “I’m more comfortable. I think the whole staff is more comfortable. I think the team is farther ahead. Everybody understands the mission and how we are trying to get there.” Frost is downplaying expectations and itching to get his team back into the darling status they held in the late 2010s. “I want a team with a chip on their shoulder that understands that UCF’s not going to get a lot of attention until we earn it”.
The push to improve starts at Quarterback with James Madison transfer Alonza Barnett. The Senior led JMU to the playoffs in 2025. “My expectations for him are really high” Frost told the media at the start of camp. “I’ve been thoroughly impressed with his command of everything”. Barrett brings experience, leadership, and proven results “the team looks to him” Coach Frost said. “That’s a good place to be in when you have the guy at quarterback. We are going to go as he goes.”
Alonza Barnett – Photo Courtesy of UCF Athletics
At running back the team will look to transfers after starter Myles Montgomery used up his eligibility. Duke Watson comes in from Louisville as a smaller speedster most suited to outside running. Banging between the tackles will be Central Arkansas transfer Landen Chambers. I am also anxious to see if local product Taevion Swint can find a role after being injured his entire freshman season. Receiver could be a strong point for UCF. Several return, including group leader Duane Thomas. True freshman Tyren Hornes has also been turning heads in training camp and is one of the highest rated recruits the Knights have ever signed.
On both the offensive and defensive lines transfers will rule the day. 33 transfers total will come in from other schools. With the exception of quarterback, Coach Scott Frost has battles going on everywhere in training camp. “Every position is there to be won. We are not going to crown anybody”. Edge rusher in particular could be a cause of concern for the Knights with Malachai Lawrence becoming a rare first round draft pick for UCF. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker will be a strength with Lewis Carter potentially the best in the conference.
Overall my questions about UCF going into the season remain the same as always. Can UCF block and tackle with the big boys of college football? Is the team deep enough to be more physical than its fellow Big 12 schools like Oklahoma State, Iowa State, TCU, and Baylor? These are the kinds of schools that UCF has to beat on a consistent basis if they want to be known as a power in college football. Coach Frost is optimistic. “This is a team that’s eager to be good”. He likes the hunger of his team. He also feels like it has both more talent and higher standards than the group that went 5-7 in 2025. Frost is spending less time showing players how and where to line up and also coaching more detail instead of attitude and effort. In year 2 of the return of Frost to Orlando, fans are still plenty patient, but a bowl game would be helpful to let the young fanbase know that UCF can compete with the big boys.
UCF Knights College Football Schedule
Sept 3 Bethune-Cookman
Sept 12 at Pitt
Sept 19 Georgia State
Sept 26 TCU
Oct 3 at Houston
Oct 10 at Oklahoma State
Oct 17 OPEN DATE
Oct 24 BYU
Oct 31 Baylor
Nov 7 at Kansas
Nov 14 Arizona State
Nov 21 Iowa State
Nov 28 at Colorado
