Scott Frost Eyes Transfer Portal to Rebuild UCF Roster After 20 Departures
Scott Frost has a tall task ahead of him. After losing 20 players to the transfer portal, the UCF head coach isn’t shying away from the challenge-in fact, he’s embracing it. With the portal officially opening on January 2, Frost is gearing up for what could be a pivotal offseason in shaping the next era of Knights football.
There’s no sugarcoating it-key position groups have taken a hit. The offensive and defensive lines, in particular, are in need of reinforcements.
But Frost sees this moment not as a setback, but as a reset. It’s an opportunity to reshape the roster and reestablish the identity he’s trying to build in Orlando.
“Yeah, I think every time you get to this stage in the year, you're excited to reset and rebuild,” Frost said. “We got to do a great job of evaluation.
We got to do a great job of selling UCF. I think we made a lot of strides this year, but we need to turn the corner and get over the hump-be a winning program.”
That’s the mission: turn the corner. And to do that, Frost knows he needs to bring in the right pieces. The portal is full of talent, but it’s about more than just grabbing names-it’s about fit, culture, and upside.
Among the players UCF could target, a few stand out-especially because of their ties to the program. Quarterbacks EJ Colson and Beau Pribula, defensive tackle Christian Hudson, and defensive back Jamroc Grimsley are names to watch.
Colson is a particularly intriguing option. He started his college career at UCF before transferring to Incarnate Word, where he lit it up this past season. His stat line-2,142 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, just four interceptions, plus 287 rushing yards and three scores on the ground-shows a dual-threat playmaker who’s grown significantly since leaving Orlando.
Now, he’s back in the portal, and the timing couldn’t be more critical for UCF. With Tayven Jackson and Jacurri Brown both transferring out, the Knights’ quarterback room is suddenly thin.
That leaves incoming four-star Rocco Marriott and Davi Belfort as the top options on the current depth chart. Adding a proven college arm like Colson would bring experience and competition to a position that’s suddenly wide open.
Pribula, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Knights. He visited last offseason while in the portal before ultimately choosing Missouri. He’s a name to monitor again, especially with UCF’s quarterback depth in flux.
On the defensive side, Christian Hudson brings both talent and familiarity. He was once committed to UCF before flipping to Colorado, where he’s been learning under NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, who’s serving as the Buffs’ defensive pass rush coordinator. That kind of mentorship doesn’t go unnoticed, and Hudson’s potential fit back in Orlando is worth watching.
Then there’s Jamroc Grimsley, a Florida transfer with deep UCF ties. His father, Jimmy Grimsley, played defensive back for the Knights, and his high school coach, Jeris McIntyre, now serves as UCF’s Director of High School Relations. The connections are strong, and for a player looking to stay in-state and make an impact, the Knights could be an appealing landing spot.
Still, none of this happens unless Frost and his staff can close the deal. That means making the case for UCF-not just as a football program, but as a destination.
“I think UCF sells itself, particularly being in a bigger league now,” Frost said. “Guys know that they can-Florida kids in particular-stay close to home and play big-time football, near their family. This university kind of speaks for itself, and the city of Orlando speaks for itself.”
That’s the pitch. Big-time football, in a big-time city, with a chance to be part of something that’s building toward sustained success. Frost isn’t just looking to fill holes-he’s trying to lay the foundation for a team that can compete and win consistently in the Big 12 and beyond.
There’s still work to be done, but the message is clear: UCF isn’t backing down from the transfer portal era. They’re leaning into it, and if Frost can land the right pieces, this could be the start of a new chapter in Orlando.