The first half of UCF’s 2026 season is done, and the bye week has given Scott Frost’s staff a clean look at who has pushed the Knights forward through six games.
At 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12, UCF has gotten important production from both expected names and a few players who have forced their way into the spotlight. The defense, in particular, has turned takeaways into one of the program’s clearest strengths. After offseason emphasis on creating turnovers, Alex Grinch’s unit has delivered: UCF ranks 10th nationally and first in the Big 12 in turnovers gained, 31st nationally and fourth in the league in turnover margin, and 20th nationally and second in the Big 12 in interceptions.
One of the biggest reasons the offense has stayed afloat without Duane Thomas Jr. is Josh Derry. The Monmouth transfer has become UCF’s top receiver, piling up 28 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns.
That production represents 24.1% of the team’s total receptions, and his 4.67 catches per game ranks 12th in the Big 12. He has been especially productive lately, with 18 receptions, 185 yards and both of his touchdowns coming in the last two games against Houston and Oklahoma State.
Up front, Jacob Maiava has also made a real mark. Scott Frost described his issue as a soft tissue injury that was more in his groin area than his hip, but before that setback, Maiava maximized his chance.
He began the season as a backup to Connor Meadows at center, then moved into the spot after an injury to Owen Spell pushed Meadows to another position. Maiava made his first collegiate start against Georgia State and held the job through the Oct. 3 game against Houston.
On Oct. 6, offensive coordinator Steve Cooper called the injury a "big hit because he's the guy that brings the juice." Even with his return timeline unclear, Maiava’s run as a starter has made him look like a possible center of the future.
Defensive tackle Jeffson Lafontant has taken a leap, too. The North Miami Beach native went from coming off the bench in 10 games last season and recording 10 tackles to starting five of UCF’s first six games in 2026. He already has 21 tackles, along with team highs of 5.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries.
Another defender who has stood out is Demari Henderson. The Sanford native earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors after the Georgia State game, when he had two interceptions, a pass breakup and seven tackles. Through six games, he is one of three UCF defenders with at least 30 tackles, shares the team lead with four pass breakups, and has added two tackles for loss and a sack.
Tackett Curtis has also turned opportunity into production. Injuries around him at linebacker have helped open the door, but he has still put together a career-best pace.
Curtis leads UCF with 39 tackles, is one of the team leaders in both tackles for loss and sacks, and has added his first career interception, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. He is just one tackle, one tackle for loss and one sack away from matching his personal bests in those categories.
Jayden Williams has been just as impactful in the secondary after his 2025 season ended early because of injury. Considering he is likely one of the last players to benefit from an eligibility waiver, he has made that season count. Williams leads the Knights with 19 solo tackles and is one of three defenders with at least one interception, one forced fumble and one pass breakup this season.
In the passing game, redshirt freshman Caden Piening has emerged as UCF’s top tight end target despite Dylan Wade’s return. Wade, who already owns the program’s FBS-era standard for tight end receptions, yards and touchdowns, is back in the mix, but Piening has still carved out a key role.
The Cincinnati native has 16 catches, tied with Waden Charles for second on the team, and has 149 receiving yards, trailing only Derry and Charles. Most of that came after Big 12 play began, and he has also scored the first two touchdowns of his career.
Freshman Tyren Hornes has found his lane as well. The wide receiver room is crowded, but he has earned more and more trust as the season has gone on.
Through the first four games, he had only three catches for 49 yards, averaging 16.3 yards per reception. Against Houston and Oklahoma State, though, he became a bigger part of the attack, with seven of his 10 catches on the season coming in those two games.
He has 59 receiving yards and his first college touchdown.
Rukeem Stroud has made the most of limited chances on a veteran-heavy defense. He only has four tackles, but one of them was a drive-saving third-down stop against Oklahoma State.
He has also broken up two passes, matching Jayden Bellamy and Braeden Marshall and trailing only Antione Jackson and Henderson. With UCF’s secondary not expected to bring back as much next season as it has this year, Stroud’s early impact as a redshirt freshman gives the Knights something to build on.
In Other News...
Tacko Fall Just Gave UCF Fans Real Reason To Watch Philly
Tacko Fall is headed to Philadelphia on a deal that gives him a real shot to stick, and for UCF fans, it is a familiar name suddenly worth tracking again. Fall first agreed to a training camp contract with the 76ers, and the move gives the big man a chance to add frontcourt depth for a team dealing with injuries and uncertainty around Joel Embiid.
Fall has been out of the NBA since his run with Cleveland in 2021, but his path back has taken him through the Australian NBL and the Chinese Basketball Association. Now he is in position to contribute in Philadelphia, and for Knights fans, it is one more reason to keep an eye on a roster that could need size in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Fans Have A Bye Week With Big 12 Stakes To Watch
With UCF on a bye week, Saturday still carries plenty of weight for Knights fans looking ahead on the schedule. Several Big 12 games will help shape the backdrop for the rest of October, including BYUs meeting with Notre Dame, along with Baylor vs. TCU and Kansas vs. Kansas State. Those matchups are worth following not just for the standings, but because they offer a clearer picture of the opponents UCF will see soon enough.
BYU is the biggest one on the radar, since the Cougars are set to visit UCF on Oct. 24. Their matchup with Notre Dame could tell the Knights whether they are preparing for an unbeaten opponent or one coming off its first loss, and there is also added uncertainty around BYUs backfield because of an injury to star running back LJ Martin. For a team on the sideline this week, it is still a useful Saturday for scoreboard watching. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Is Fighting To Keep A Local Five-Star Home
RJ Evans is the kind of local prospect UCF would love to make a centerpiece, not just because he plays at The Academy of Central Florida, but because he already looks like the sort of high-end talent programs build around. The five-star forward in the Class of 2029 has made it clear he is focused first on fit and opportunity as he thinks long term about an NBA future, which puts the Knights in the conversation right alongside programs with far more national recruiting cachet.
Johnny Dawkins has shown he can sell development to elite players, and UCF has a real pitch when it comes to keeping a top prospect close to home. Still, the competition is steep, with blueblood-level attention and other major programs circling, and Evans is weighing a broader group of options as this recruitment begins to take shape. [Read more 🡒]