UCF position preview: Quarterback

The first in a position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into fall camp:

TODAY: QUARTERBACK

What to expect

After playing musical chairs at quarterback for much of last season, the Knights enter fall camp with the starting job squarely on the shoulders of James Madison transfer Alonza Barnett III.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Barnett is coming off a career year in which he earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year honors while leading the Dukes to a conference championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Barnett finished his time at JMU as a two-year starter with more than 6,000 yards of total offense and 72 total touchdowns.

Still, his status remains a concern after being limited throughout much of spring camp. While the coaching staff remains optimistic that there will be no issues when preseason camp opens, it remains something to keep an eye on.

Meanwhile, Keyone Jenkins appears to be the frontrunner in a competition for Barnett's backup. The senior was a multi-year starter at FIU and is the only quarterback outside of Barnett with college experience. He appeared in 33 games for the Panthers, finishing with 6,713 yards with 42 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Kaleb Annett, a former three-star product out of Corona del Mar (Calif.) High School, spent two seasons at Boise State. He's been pushing Jenkins, as have freshmen Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr. Both were early enrollees and hope to push for spots on the depth chart.

What they're saying

"We’re just in a new era where getting guys to the season is as important as anything and he’s played a ton of football, so I'm not really worried about him at all. I love where he is with his progress, both knowing the offense and physically." - UCF coach Scott Frost on Barnett's status coming out of spring camp.

Returners

None

Departures

Tayven Jackson (transfer to North Texas): 2,151 passing yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs; 85 rushing yards, 3 TDs.

Cam Fancher (transfer to Michigan State): 333 passing yards; 170 rushing yards, TD.

Jacurri Brown (transfer Rice) | 97 passing yards: TD, INT; 142 rushing yards, 2 TDs.

Davi Belfort (transfer to James Madison): 53 passing yards, INT; 94 rushing yards, TD.

Brock Hansel (eligibility)

Arrivals

Alonza Barnett III (James Madison), redshirt senior

Keyone Jenkins (FIU), senior

Kaleb Annett (Boise State), redshirt sophomore

Rocco Marriott (Platte County High), freshman

Dante Carr (Minersville High), freshman

Projected depth chart

QB1 - Alonza Barnett III

QB2 - Keyone Jenkins

QB3 - Kaleb Annett

QB4 - Rocco Marriott

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel's Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 1:07 PM.