UCF has a quarterback with something the rest of the Big 12 can’t match: actual College Football Playoff reps.
That’s part of why Alonza Barnett III is drawing so much attention in Orlando, and why Scott Frost has been so open about his confidence in the Knights’ direction. At media day this past week, Frost said he feels much better about his team’s depth and culture heading into the season. A big reason for that optimism sits under center.
On Thursday, On3’s Brett McMurphy placed Barnett at No. 7 in his top 10 Big 12 quarterbacks. Arizona’s Noah Fifita and Utah’s Devon Dampier were the top two names on the list, with Barnett landing in the middle of the pack.
The ranking still leaves Barnett with a notable distinction: he’s the only quarterback on the list who has played in the College Football Playoff.
Barnett earned that experience at James Madison, where he helped lead the Dukes into the postseason and then delivered in the first round against Oregon. In that game, James Madison put up 34 points, and Barnett accounted for three total touchdowns while throwing for 273 yards and adding 45 rushing yards.
The Dukes came up short, but Barnett’s performance stood out anyway. They also scored more points against that Oregon defense than Big 12 champion Texas Tech did in the next round, when the Red Raiders were shut out by the same unit.
That kind of dual-threat production is exactly what makes Barnett such a fit for Frost’s offense. Frost has long preferred a quarterback who can move, extend plays and stress defenses with his legs. But in Barnett’s case, the coach has been just as focused on what happens between the ears.
Back in February, Frost said, "What I love more than anything about Alonza is he's a winner and he's a proven winner. I think when you're a really good team, you have really exceptional leadership from that position," Frost said back in February.
"You have somebody that's tough at that position that other people want to get behind and play for and believe in. So, not even speaking about the talent that he brings, just really impressed with his demeanor."
Barnett still hasn’t taken the field in a UCF jersey, as the staff has been careful while he works back from lingering injuries. Even so, the trust from the coaching staff is obvious.
And when he does get fully rolling, he won’t be short on help. UCF’s offense includes newcomers Duke Watson and Landen Chambers in the backfield, plus returners like tight end Dylan Wade and sophomore wide receiver Waden Charles. With that group around him, Barnett gives the Knights a much more dangerous look than they had before.
In Other News...
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The case now shifts to the next step in the legal process, with UCF holding a 30-day window to appeal the final judgment. For a program still dealing with the aftermath of its coaching turnover, the ruling is another reminder that the costs of that transition are not finished showing up on the ledger. [Read more 🡒]
Why Duke Watson Could Change UCF's Backfield Ceiling In 2026
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Watson also made it clear the fit mattered to him, praising Frost and the environment around the program as major reasons for the move. He is expected to work alongside lead back Landen Chambers while offering value as a pass-catching threat and an all-around option, the sort of piece that can raise the ceiling of an offense if it develops the right balance. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Fans Will Have Strong Opinions On This All-Time Receiver List
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The list reaches across eras and even includes players whose time in Orlando was only part of their college journey, which only adds to the conversation. Names like Brandon Marshall, Mike Sims-Walker and Tre'Quan Smith give the group real weight, but the deeper cut is where the opinions start to split, especially with a few of the most productive and impactful receivers in program history all fighting for their place. [Read more 🡒]