UCF’s countdown to kickoff has reached No. 10, and this installment brings a familiar double dose: quarterback Kaleb Annett and EDGE Sincere Edwards.
Annett arrived in Orlando after spending his first two college seasons at Boise State, a move that lined up with Knights offensive coordinator Steve Cooper, who had been an analyst for the Broncos during Annett’s freshman year in 2024. The connection mattered to Annett when he explained the move after the Knights’ open spring practice on May 2.
"I think, you know, in life, a lot of stuff is relationship-based, and having that prior relationship with Coach Coop, and then KZ, you know, it kind of was a no-brainer, really," Annett said following the Knights' open spring practice on May 2.
Annett did not play in 2025 during his second season at Boise State, but he has been in the mix at UCF as the team sorts out the backup role behind Alonza Barnett III. That job matters beyond this season, too, because it could hint at who the Knights view as Barnett’s successor in 2027.
Quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton said at local media day that Annett has "been getting a good amount of reps" and praised what he showed in the spring. Later, after an Aug. 18 fall camp practice, Scott Frost said Annett has "had a really good fall camp" and was "really comfortable with his abilities right now."
Milton and Frost both stopped short of naming a backup, but Annett has clearly made his case. From the outside, he has been the quarterback who has separated himself most in camp, with his movement and timing with the receivers standing out. If Barnett is unavailable at any point, Annett looks like the most likely option to get the call.
Whether that practice form carries over to game action is another matter entirely, and that question would only get answered if UCF needs him in 2026.
Edwards brings a different kind of value to the same jersey number. The Wekiva High School product is back in Orlando, playing for his hometown program after starting his college career at Pittsburgh. As a true freshman with the Panthers, he appeared in all 13 games and finished with 17 tackles, including eight solo stops, six tackles for loss and three sacks.
His first season with UCF was cut short by a Lisfranc injury. Before that, he had come off the bench in the first six games of the 2025 season and still produced 11 tackles, seven solo, along with 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
If he’s healthy, Edwards is firmly in the fight for a starting job at EDGE next to Isaiah Nixon and Bruno Dall. He also has more FBS game experience than Ken Talley and Aymeric Koumba and played in more games last season than both, which makes him a strong candidate to stay in the rotation even if he doesn’t land in the starting lineup.
There was already some buzz around Edwards before the injury, and 2026 gives him a chance to back that up. How far he goes will depend on his rehab and how he handles Power 4 opponents, including a grudge match against Pittsburgh on Sep. 12.
In Other News...
UCF Fans Have Every Reason To Watch RJ Harvey In Denver
RJ Harvey has wasted little time making his presence felt in Denver, giving UCF fans plenty of reasons to keep one eye on the Broncos this fall. The rookie running back has become a meaningful part of Sean Paytons offense, working as a versatile option who can line up in different spots and contribute as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. Denver has clearly found ways to lean on his skill set, and Bo Nix has been open about how much Harvey brings with his hands and his feel for the game.
What makes Harvey especially interesting is the way he has already shown up in the biggest moments. He has turned into a player Denver trusts in pressure situations, and that kind of role tends to stick when a coach values intelligence and adaptability as much as raw production. For UCF followers, it is a reminder that Harvey is not just filling a roster spot in the NFL, he is becoming part of the Broncos late-game plans in a way that could keep paying off. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Fans Just Got An Early Look At A Defining Schedule
UCFs mens basketball program has given fans an early glimpse at what could shape up to be a defining stretch in the 2026 season, unveiling a non-conference schedule that mixes home dates with a few attention-getting road trips. The slate also includes a Thanksgiving tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports, adding a familiar local showcase to a schedule that already has a distinctly regional feel, with three Florida opponents on the docket.
There is still plenty to sort through before the full picture comes into focus, especially with the Big 12 waiting after non-conference play in an 18-game league grind. For now, the Knights are putting the pieces in place for a season that should give fans plenty to follow early, and season tickets for the upcoming year are already on sale as the program builds toward that next chapter. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Wade Is Chasing A Bigger UCF Role Than Stats Alone
UCFs tight end room spent the offseason trying to become harder to deal with at the point of attack, and coach Cooper Bassett said the group has come back with better physicality and cleaner blocking technique after the strength work. That matters most for Dylan Wade, the senior who already owns the programs receiving records but is still searching for the kind of complete game that keeps him on NFL radars and expands what he can do for the Knights this fall.
Wades pass-catching resume is already written, but the next layer of his value comes from how well he handles the less glamorous parts of the position. UCF is also sorting through other options at tight end, including Caden Piening, who profiles more as a complement than a direct challenger to Wade, which puts even more attention on whether Wade can turn his blocking into a real separator rather than just a checkbox. [Read more 🡒]