With UCF’s 2026 season opener against Bethune-Cookman set for Sep. 3 at 7 p.m., the Knights’ countdown to kickoff has reached No. 2 - and that means two players sharing the same jersey number: defensive back Jayden Williams and wide receiver Tyren Hornes.
Williams arrives at 2026 with a fresh start after a frustrating 2025. He transferred to UCF before that season after four years at Florida Atlantic, where his final year included a captaincy role.
Once with the Knights, he appeared in two of the first three games before a thumb injury shut him down for the rest of the year. In those two games, he finished with seven tackles, including four solo stops.
Now, Williams is back in the mix after receiving the medical waiver he needed to return for 2026. He said he was "extremely excited" and "blessed" to get that waiver, and the Knights’ first depth chart of the season has him back in a starting role alongside Demari Henderson at safety.
Hornes, who was previously known as Tyren Wortham, brings a different kind of buzz. He was UCF’s highest-rated high school signee in the 2026 class and the only four-star in the group, according to 247Sports.
His commitment did not come on Early Signing Day, but instead a month later at the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 3.
"I just wanted to be out there, let it be known that I've come to UCF, and it was my home," Hornes said following an Aug. 10 practice session.
At Booker High School, Hornes helped the team reach the FHSAA 3A Semifinals in 2025. His UCF Athletics profile lists 54 catches for 802 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 11 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown.
The early reviews have been strong. After a spring practice on April 18, wide receivers coach Sean Beckton said Hornes had "basically a complete game," and that the focus then was on "finding his way through." Scott Frost echoed that optimism after an Aug. 10 practice, saying Hornes had been making "some really good plays" in fall camp.
"I think he's got the upside to be a really special player, and typical with guys like that is just how quick it clicks on and how fast they can be reliable and consistent, and he's certainly taking some huge strides," Frost said.
Hornes may not have the experience of veterans such as Duane Thomas Jr. and Josh Derry, but he has done enough to land on the Knights’ first depth chart as the backup wide receiver behind returning starter Waden Charles. That should give him a chance to get on the field this season as he continues adjusting to the college game.
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UCFs Opener Carries Recruiting Stakes Fans Should Be Watching Closely
UCFs season opener against Bethune-Cookman is doing more than kicking off a new year on the field. The Knights are also turning it into an early recruiting showcase, with several priority visitors expected on campus from multiple classes as the program tries to build momentum before the schedule really gets rolling. Among the names drawing attention are committed players Noah Robinson and Kaneilius Purdy, along with a group of younger targets who could shape the next few cycles of the roster.
The visitor list gives the staff a chance to stay in front of prospects like Justin Kemp, KyMani Fils-Amie, Axzavious Hawkins, Jaden Parks, Jordan McCrimon and Tyrese Jefferson, while also making a local impression on a class that is still taking shape. Openers can carry extra weight in recruiting because they bring families, atmosphere and attention all at once, and UCF will be looking to make this one count as much in the stands as on the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Scott Frost Still Has Key UCF Opener Decisions To Make
UCFs season opener against Bethune-Cookman brings the usual Week 1 mix of broadcast details, weather watching and betting interest, but the more immediate storyline is on the Knights depth chart. Scott Frost said the staff is still sorting through a few personnel questions, while the confirmed absence of edge rusher Bruno Dall already forces the defense to shuffle its early rotation and create a clearer path for younger players to get on the field.
Among the names to watch are backups Aymeric Koumba and Jeffson Lafontant, who could be asked to carry more of the load than expected in the opener. Frost also said decisions remain pending on defensive tackle RJ Jackson Jr. and wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr., leaving some of the game-day picture unfinished heading into a matchup that doubles as an early test of how much depth this roster really has. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Is Counting On Barnett To Deliver What Fans Have Waited For
UCF is heading into the 2026-2027 football season with Alonza Barnett III installed as the starting quarterback, and the messaging around him has been as much about belief as it is about production. Barnett and several teammates have leaned into a Why not us approach, with the kind of confidence that usually accompanies a program trying to turn expectation into something more tangible. For a Knights team looking to take a real step forward, the quarterback spot is where that ambition has to start.
Scott Frost and the players around Barnett have pointed to his leadership and steady play as central pieces of what could make the offense look different this fall. The optimism is real, but so are the stakes, because UCF is not just trying to feel better about itself - it is trying to build toward a Big 12 Championship conversation, and Barnett is the one being counted on to help make that case. [Read more 🡒]