UCF’s first week of fall camp has left Scott Frost with plenty to like, even if he’s not pretending the job is finished.
After watching the Knights through the opening stretch of camp, Frost said Monday that the group is moving in the right direction while still needing plenty of work.
"We got a long way to go. The best thing I can say is I think everybody's having fun.
You know, it's really easy to get lost in the work of camp and the hours and I've been at a lot of camps in a lot of different roles where it's not any fun. Our guys are having fun.
We're getting better," Frost said.
That mix of enjoyment and daily improvement has become the message around the program, with players and coaches staying focused on the next step rather than looking too far ahead.
At the center of that push is Alonza Barnett III, the transfer from James Madison who has quickly become the loudest leader around the facility. Barnett made it clear Monday that UCF isn’t shy about its goals in the Big 12.
"The one thing that's being reiterated is six championship teams in the past six years," Barnett said on Monday. "So why not, why can't it be us? We have the talent."
Barnett’s point was a reference to the Big 12’s recent parity at the top, where a different program has been able to rise to the top in each of the last six seasons.
For UCF, Barnett’s presence matters in more ways than one. His experience and leadership should give the Knights a steadier quarterback situation than they’ve had in a while, and his skill set fits what Frost wants to do offensively.
With playmakers around him, Barnett has a chance to thrive in a system that lets him use his legs while spreading the ball around. Frost said Monday that Barnett "looks like a million bucks" even after missing time during UCF’s spring sessions.
Barnett has already been connecting with receivers throughout camp, including freshman Tyren Hornes, who has begun to look like one of the program’s highest-rated recruits in recent memory.
If that chemistry keeps building, UCF’s offense could become one of the more dangerous units in the Big 12. For now, though, Frost’s message is simple: the Knights are having fun, and they’re still only scratching the surface.
In Other News...
UCF Freshmen Bring Intriguing Depth To Two Key Position Groups
UCFs 2026 roster got a little deeper with the addition of two freshmen who arrive in very different ways but fill areas the Knights can always use more help. Wide receiver Jordan Nunuha comes in from Hawaii after choosing UCF over several other offers, bringing a productive senior season and a profile that suggests he can eventually add punch to the passing game. On the other side of the ball, Sarasota linebacker Jayden Burnett committed in May after landing his first Division I offer and backed it up with a strong high school season that helped push his team to a state championship.
For now, both players look like developmental pieces more than immediate fixes, which is often the case when freshmen step into crowded position groups. UCF has experienced teammates in place to help ease the transition, and that gives the Knights a chance to bring along Nunuha and Burnett at the right pace while they adjust to the college game. Even if their early snaps are limited, the appeal is clear: these are two prospects with enough upside to make the depth chart look a little more interesting down the road. [Read more 🡒]
UCFs Receiver Room Is Becoming A Real Weapon For This Offense
Scott Frost is starting to see the kind of receiver room he wants take shape at UCF, and it could become a real strength for an offense built on pace and versatility. The group is being led by returning sophomore Waden Charles, who is expected to step into a leadership role, while highly ranked recruit Tyren Hornes has already begun turning heads in practice with the athleticism that made him such a coveted addition.
What stands out, Frost said, is how far along the receivers are in conditioning and in understanding the demands of his high-tempo system. That matters for a unit that needs to move quickly and stay sharp snap after snap, and Hornes early progress only adds another layer to the competition for playing time as the Knights keep building depth at the position. [Read more 🡒]