When Scott Frost returned to UCF, he made it clear he wanted to build a roster that could compete - and win - in the Big 12. So far, his 2026 recruiting class is shaping up to reflect that vision. But if there’s one name that jumps off the page, it’s Kaj Baker.
Baker, a three-star running back out of Somerset Academy Charter in Pembroke Pines, has already earned recognition as UCF’s most impactful 2026 recruit, according to a recent national evaluation of Power 4 programs. And it’s easy to see why.
Despite standing at just 5-foot-7, Baker brings a game-breaking element to the Knights’ offense that’s tough to teach: elite speed. On film, he’s regularly clocked near 22 mph - the kind of top-end burst that can flip a game in a single play.
That speed translated into serious production at the high school level. Baker rushed for over 1,000 yards as a senior and added 500 more through the air, scoring 10 rushing touchdowns and four more as a receiver. His versatility made him a constant mismatch, and it’s that dynamic skill set that has UCF excited about what he can bring to the backfield.
The Knights will need that spark. With Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon moving on to pursue their professional dreams, UCF is losing a combined 1,308 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns on the ground, and another 270 yards on 34 receptions. That’s a lot of production to replace - and a lot of touches up for grabs.
Enter Baker.
“He’s got an elite trait, and that’s his speed,” Frost said. “When I was here the first time, my first commitment was Adrian Killins, and that’s a big comparison to put on a young guy, but I think the speed is similar.
Adrian opened up games for us, and I think Kaj has some of those same traits. I’m really excited to get him.”
That’s high praise, especially coming from a coach who helped turn Killins into one of the most electric players in UCF history. But Baker’s not coming in alone. He’ll be joined by fellow recruit Arthur Lewis IV, another promising addition to a young but talented running back room.
Next season, UCF will have five backs competing for touches. There’s no clear-cut workhorse yet, but that might not be a bad thing.
In today’s game, especially in the Big 12, you need depth and playmaking at the position. And as one scout put it, “teams can never have enough playmaking at running back.”
Baker’s ability to contribute both on the ground and through the air gives Frost and offensive coordinator plenty of options. His skill set complements players like Duane Thomas Jr., UCF’s leading receiver, and pairing them could create a dangerous one-two punch in space. Defenses will have to account for Baker’s speed every time he’s on the field - and that alone can open things up for everyone else.
It’s still early, and like any freshman, Baker will have to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game. But the tools are there.
The production is there. And the opportunity is wide open.
If Frost is right - and Baker is cut from the same cloth as Killins - then UCF may have found its next home-run threat. And in a conference that demands explosiveness, that could make all the difference.