UCF entered Monday without a single player on the Big 12’s preseason all-conference teams, a clean sweep that left the Knights out of the league’s official honors despite the buzz around the program and its new quarterback.
The conference’s preseason awards went to BYU running back LJ Martin as Offensive Player of the Year, Texas Tech defensive lineman A.J. Holmes Jr. as Defensive Player of the Year, and Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker as Newcomer of the Year. For UCF, the shutout only adds another layer to a pivotal season for both the Knights and head coach Scott Frost.
That said, the newcomer race still gives UCF a real foothold. Alonza Barnett III, the former James Madison quarterback, looks like the kind of transfer who can change the conversation quickly if he gets on the field and stays healthy.
Barnett helped JMU reach the College Football Playoff last season and delivered in that CFP appearance with 273 passing yards, 45 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. He put up 34 points against an Oregon defense that then shut out Big 12 champion Texas Tech in the next round.
Barnett showed the traits that make him intriguing: the ability to escape pressure, extend plays and attack downfield with his arm. The only catch has been his health. He has been sidelined through the offseason with lingering injuries, though UCF’s coaching staff has said the decision to keep him out is precautionary and part of protecting their investment.
If Barnett is the bet at quarterback, the Knights also have some real pieces around him. Waden Charles, Josh Derry and Dylan Wade give UCF a different look on the outside, and Wade stands out as one of the conference’s top returning pass catchers at tight end.
Wade’s 43 catches, 523 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season all set program records for his position. He also enters the year as UCF’s highest-rated player in College Football 27 at an 88 overall.
Texas Tech tight end Terrance Carter Jr. was the Big 12’s preseason pick to be an all-conference performer after posting similar numbers to Wade a year ago. Carter has the reputation right now, but Wade’s ability to stretch the field and create big plays gives him a path to push for the same kind of recognition once the season starts.
In Other News...
UCF Fans Are Already Going To Debate EAs New Big 12 Ratings
With EA SPORTS College Football 27 set to arrive worldwide on July 9, 2026, the first wave of team and player ratings is already giving UCF fans something to argue about. The Knights landed in the middle of the Big 12 conversation, and the initial numbers put a clear spotlight on how the games developers see this roster heading into the new season.
The broader rating sheet gives UCF a respectable but hardly untouchable profile, with the offense and defense both drawing plenty of attention from fans who will compare every digit to what they expect on Saturdays. The individual rankings only sharpen that debate, especially with the top names on each side of the ball and a transfer class that figures to be part of the conversation long before the game even hits shelves. [Read more 🡒]
Braeden Marshalls Lake Mary Return Is A Proud Moment For UCF
Braeden Marshall spent a recent day back in Lake Mary, turning his hometown and alma mater into a place for giving back as he hosted a football camp for young players. For the UCF defensive back, it was a chance to reconnect with the field where his own journey started, reflect on how far he has come, and show local kids what it looks like when a homegrown player comes back with a purpose.
Marshall also used the moment to talk about the leadership role he has grown into with the Knights, where his voice matters as much as his play. His bond with cornerbacks coach David Overstreet has helped shape that approach, and the camp underscored why those relationships matter now, especially for a senior trying to set the tone while still carrying the pride of where he came from. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Just Got A Big 12 Outlook Knights Fans Wont Ignore
UCF is heading into the Big 12 with the kind of outsider label that can either fade quickly or turn into fuel, and Matthew Glenesks preseason ranking reflects the skepticism. The Knights landed at No. 11 in his conference power rankings, but there is still enough talent on the roster to make them a team worth watching rather than dismissing, especially with transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett III bringing a track record that suggests he can change the feel of an offense when he is right.
Barnett is part of a group that gives UCF some real upside, with tight end Dylan Wade and defensive back Jayden Bellamy among the players expected to matter most. Wades presence gives the passing game a reliable target, while Bellamy should help anchor the defense, and that blend is why the Knights have been mentioned as a dark horse in a league where every edge matters. The question now is whether that potential shows up soon enough to make the ranking look conservative instead of accurate. [Read more 🡒]