The Rebuilt UCF Knights Football Roster: A New Era
The UCF Knights football team is entering a new era, marked by significant roster changes and a renewed sense of optimism. Following a season of transition, head coach Scott Frost and his staff have been working diligently to reshape the team, bringing in a wave of new talent to compete in the Big 12 Conference. The 2025 season saw the Knights finish with a 5-7 record, a campaign that highlighted the need for a rebuild. With approximately 70 new players joining the roster, primarily through the transfer portal, the Knights are aiming to improve their competitiveness and establish a strong foundation for future success. This article delves into the specifics of the revamped roster, position by position, examining the key additions, departures, and returning players who will shape the Knights' fortunes in the upcoming season.
Coaching Staff Additions
Shawn Clark, previously the head coach of Appalachian State, joined the coaching staff as offensive line coach.
Quarterback Overhaul
The quarterback position has undergone a complete transformation, with all previous signal-callers departing and new faces arriving to compete for the starting role.
Key Losses: Tayven Jackson (North Texas), Cam Fancher (Michigan State), Jacurri Brown (Rice), Davi Belfort (James Madison), Brock Hansel.
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Alonza Barnett III (James Madison), Keyone Jenkins (Florida International), Kaleb Annett (Boise State).
Read also: Traditions of UCF Basketball
Roster Holdovers: None.
Incoming Freshmen: Rocco Marriott (Platte City, Mo.), Dante Carr (Minersville, Pa.).
Alonza Barnett III, the Sun Belt Player of the Year, is expected to take the reins as the starting quarterback. His impressive track record at James Madison, where he amassed 2,806 passing yards, 589 rushing yards, and 38 touchdowns, makes him a dynamic threat. Keyone Jenkins, with three years of starting experience at FIU, is likely to serve as the primary backup. The quarterback room is entirely new, led by transfer Alonza Barnett III from James Madison. The Knights managed to snag immediate help through the transfer portal, particularly at quarterback.
Running Back Revamp
The running back corps has also experienced significant turnover, with key contributors departing and new additions poised to make an impact.
Key Losses: Myles Montgomery (graduated), Jaden Nixon (graduated), Stacy Gage (LSU), Tyler Wrenn.
Read also: Building a Competitive UCF Team
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Landen Chambers (Central Arkansas), Duke Watson (Louisville).
Roster Holdovers: Taevion Swint, Agyeman Addae, Chance Nixon.
Incoming Freshmen: Arthur Lewis IV (St. Johns, Fla.), Kaj Baker (Pembroke Pines, Fla.).
Landen Chambers brings a power running style to the Knights' backfield, while Duke Watson offers explosive speed. UCF's staff feels Lewis flew under the radar, so he could definitely be a major contributor in the future.
Wide Receiver Reload
The wide receiver position has seen a mix of departures and additions, with returning players and newcomers vying for prominent roles.
Read also: Sound and Spirit of UCF
Key Losses: DJ Black (South Carolina), Marcus Burke (graduation), Chris Domercant (graduation), Bredell Richardson (Tulane), Carl Jenkins Jr. (Miami (Ohio)).
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Josh Derry (Monmouth), Jonathan Bibbs (Louisiana-Monroe).
Roster Holdovers: Duane Thomas Jr., Waden Charles, DayDay Farmer, Caleb Rollerson, Jordyn Bridgewater, Andrea Parisi, Zack Palmer, Carson Hinshaw, Chase Hinshaw.
Incoming Freshmen: Tyren Hornes (Sarasota, Fla.), Jordan Nunuha (Honolulu, Hawai'i).
Securing the returns of both Thomas and Charles before the portal opened was a huge win for the Knights. They should occupy two of the starting slots. Derry defines the "proven production" portal recruiting model GM Trent Mossbrucker outlined after an FCS All-American campaign in which he had 76 receptions for 1,123 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Tight End Transformation
The tight end unit has undergone a transformation, with new additions expected to contribute to both the passing and running game.
Key Losses: Kylan Fox (Purdue), Max Drag (South Carolina), Deebo Coleman (graduation).
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Grayson Brousseau (Oklahoma State).
Roster Holdovers: Dylan Wade, Caden Piening, Thomas Wadsworth.
Incoming Freshmen: Brooks Hall (Platte City, Mo.).
Wade emerged as UCF's top receiving threat over the final month, setting a new single-season program record for a tight end with five touchdown catches. The Orlando native was viewed, internally and externally, as a retention priority. Brousseau, brought along from Oklahoma State by new position coach Cooper Bassett, should help improve the unit's run blocking.
Offensive Line Reconstruction
The offensive line has been significantly revamped, with the Knights looking to establish a strong and cohesive unit.
Key Losses: Paul Rubelt (graduation), Carter Miller (South Carolina), Cameron Kinnie (graduation), Jabari Brooks (graduation), Keegan Smith (graduation), Gaard Memmelaar (graduation), Jaquez Joiner (Marshall), Thomas Gearity (Colgate), Patrick Barnett (Fresno State), Colin Cook (graduation), Andrew Phelan (retired).
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Henry Tabansi (Buffalo), Brady Wayburn (UConn), Cooper Terpstra (Michigan State), Tyler Gibson (Charlotte).
Roster Holdovers: Preston Cushman, Connor Meadows, Owen Spell, Justin Royes, LaParka Langston, Dominick Campbell, Jacob Maiava, Shaheem Hill, Matthew Prigmore, Camp Lott, Raishaun McHaney, Noah Senka, Ethan Higgins.
Incoming Freshmen: Kasiyah Charlton (Brunswick, Ga.), Amahn Williams (Marion, Mass.).
UCF must replace four starters along its offensive line, but right tackle Cushman logged the most snaps (753) among anyone in the unit. Meadows started each of the last three games at right guard, so the Knights appear solid on the front side. Tabansi looks like a plug-and-play option at left tackle, making 25 starts at the position for Buffalo.
Defensive Line Overhaul
The defensive line has experienced significant turnover, with the Knights seeking to maintain a strong pass rush and run defense.
Key Losses: Malachi Lawrence (graduation), Nyjalik Kelly (draft), Jamaal Johnson (Northwestern), Josh Dorsainvil. John Walker (Ohio State), Rodney Lora (Purdue), Derrick LeBlanc (Maryland), Andrew Rumph (Jacksonville State), Tyreek'e Robinson (East Tennessee State), Keshaun Hudson (Jackson State).
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Bruno Dall (Akron), Ken Talley (Arkansas), LA Jessie Harold (Florida State). Thomas Collins (Oregon State), Brad Gurley Jr. (Eastern Kentucky), Josh Schell (Tennessee), Artavius Jones (Miami).
Roster Holdovers: Sincere Edwards, Isaiah Nixon, Aymeric Koumba, Quentin Hatch. Horace Lockett Jr., RJ Jackson Jr., Jeffson Lafontant, Trenton Turner.
Incoming Freshmen: Alhassan Iddrissu (Oakdale, Conn.). Noah Mercer (Key West, Fla.), Isaiah McNish (Apopka, Fla.).
Lawrence and Kelly, a late invitee to the Reese's Senior Bowl, are both potential draft picks after combining for 21½ sacks the last two seasons. Walker is, almost without question, UCF's most noteworthy portal loss. The former four-star recruit started all 12 games, and made 40 tackles, three TFLs and one sack. However, the Knights kept hold of Lockett, who withdrew from the portal despite significant interest from a handful of P4 heavyweights.
Linebacker Rebuild
The linebacker corps has been rebuilt with a mix of returning players and transfer additions.
Key Losses: Cole Kozlowski (graduation), Keli Lawson (graduation), TJ Bullard (Florida), Troy Ford Jr., Kam Moore (Arkansas State), Malakhi Boone.
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Jahleel Culbreath (Old Dominion), Tackett Curtis (Wisconsin), Rashad Henry (UMass).
Roster Holdovers: Lewis Carter, Jayden Jennings, Phil Picciotti.
Incoming Freshmen: Preston Hall (Missouri City, Texas), Matthew Occhipinti (Ramsey, N.J.).
Linebacker proved to be a real strength of UCF's defense in 2025. Carter led the team with 92 tackles, and he produced strong underlying metrics across the board. Culbreath started every game for an Old Dominion team that won 10 games, including the Cure Bowl, and registered 71 tackles with nine TFLs. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will be very familiar with Curtis' skill set from their time at both USC and Wisconsin.
Defensive Backfield Overhaul
The defensive backfield has undergone a significant overhaul, with new additions expected to bolster the secondary.
Key Losses: Phillip Dunnam (graduation), Jaeden Gould (Temple), Ja'Cari Henderson (Appalachian State), Jyaire Brown (Southern Mississippi), Isaiah Reed (UMass), Jaylen Heyward (Arkansas State), Christian Peterson (East Carolina), Jakob Gude (Appalachian State), Tony Williams (Kennesaw State), Chase Jarrett (Colgate), Hudson Gibbs (retired).
Transfer Portal Acquisitions: Ty Bartrum (Harvard), Jailen Duffie (North Dakota State), Matt Irwin (Idaho), Caleb Flagg (Missouri), Kahmel Johnson (Wayne State-Neb.), Antonio Branch Jr. (Colorado).
Roster Holdovers: Jayden Bellamy, Antione Jackson, Braeden Marshall, Demari Henderson, DJ Bell, Jayden Williams, Rukeem Stroud, Nick Antoine, Terrell Jackson, Donnell Johnson.
Incoming Freshmen: Elijah Keys (Neptune Beach, Fla.), Amarion Queen (Stuart, Fla.).
UCF will have four of its five starters back in the secondary after ranking 22nd in the FBS for passing yards allowed (185.1). Bellamy shined after arriving from Syracuse, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 50.8% completion rate with eight pass breakups and one interception. Bartrum likely steps in at free safety after an All-Ivy League redshirt junior year. Duffie reunites with defensive backs coach Will Johnson, for whom he made 21 starts over the last two seasons at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.
Special Teams Revamp
The special teams unit has been revamped with new additions at kicker, punter, and long snapper.
tags: #ucf #knights #football #roster
