UCF’s transfer haul brought in size, production and a few real lineup fixes, and the five names at the top of the list show why the Knights are banking on January to reshape the roster.
The biggest piece, of course, is quarterback Alonza Barnett III from James Madison. UCF added 33 transfers, according to the UCFRoundtable portal tracker, and Barnett is the headliner because the Knights needed answers under center after injuries disrupted the position last season. He arrives to run the offense as the lead signal-caller, but the message around this group is clear: one quarterback won’t solve everything.
That’s where the rest of the portal class comes in. Thomas Collins, a defensive tackle from Oregon State, is the first impact name.
He started all 12 games for the Beavers and put up 30 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. UCF already has Horace Lockett and RJ Jackson Jr. in the mix at the position, but Collins gives the Knights another interior body who could carve out serious snaps in fall camp.
That matters because Lockett’s availability has been a problem over the last two seasons, including a season-ending torn pectoral muscle after Week 4 against Kansas State. With Rodeny Lora, John Walker and Derrick LeBlanc all leaving for Big Ten programs at Purdue, Ohio State and Maryland, UCF needed another safety net up front.
Wide receiver Josh Derry comes in next, and he might be the most polished pass-catching option in the bunch. After starring at Monmouth, he was labeled the best returning wide receiver in the Big 12 and backed it up with 1,123 yards, 13 touchdowns and 76 catches last season.
His 14.78 yards per reception and All-CAA First Team nod underline the kind of production UCF is getting. He also gives the Knights their first proven 1,000-yard receiver since Javon Baker in 2023.
Special teams has its own question mark, which is why Texas transfer Will Stone lands at No. 3 on the list. UCF does not have a starting kicker, and Stone is in a battle with redshirt freshman Noah McGough. The winner will be asked to replace Noe Ruelas, who was one of the most efficient kickers in the Football Bowl Subdivision, hitting 15 of 17 field goals.
Buffalo transfer Henry Tabansi gives the offensive line some stability. The left tackle made 25 straight starts for the Bulls and earned a Pro Football and Sports Network College grade of 75.3 in the Mid-American Conference. That kind of reliability is exactly what UCF needs as it tries to build a more dependable front.
Rounding out the list is Louisville running back Duke Watson. As a freshman, he led the nation in yards per carry at 8.9 before injuries and the rise of teammate Isaac Brown knocked him down the depth chart last season. Even so, his upside makes him one of the more intriguing additions in the group.
UCF has spent two seasons as a losing program, and Scott Frost is trying to turn that around fast. With Barnett, Collins, Derry, Stone, Tabansi and Watson in the fold, the Knights have added a batch of transfers that could help push them toward a winning season and their first bowl game since 2023.
In Other News...
Former UCF Tackle Paul Rubelt Is Making The Most Of A Big Chance
Former UCF tackle Paul Rubelt is getting a real look in Tampa Bays training camp, and the timing has given the rookie a chance to show why he drew attention as an undrafted free agent. The 6-foot-10 lineman brought both size and athleticism with him from Orlando, where he started most games at left tackle last season, and The Athletic labeled him one of the more promising undrafted additions in the class.
Rubelts opportunity has grown because the Buccaneers have needed extra depth on the line, opening more reps for a player trying to carve out a spot on the final roster. For now, the former Knight is simply trying to make the most of the snaps in front of him and keep himself in the mix as Tampa Bay sorts out its offensive tackle picture. [Read more 🡒]
Scott Frost Now Faces A UCF Roster Twist He Didn't Expect
A late court ruling has added another layer of uncertainty to college football rosters, and UCF is among the teams watching closely. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a preliminary injunction that grants a fifth year of eligibility to all Class of 2022 NCAA athletes, creating a fresh question for coaches already trying to piece together depth charts, scholarship plans and spring priorities.
Scott Frost acknowledged the uncertainty around the decision and what it could mean for his roster, especially with the calendar already moving and roster construction never feeling simple in the current era. The legal fight is not finished, and even with the ruling in place, the NCAAs next steps and the practical effects on player movement leave the Knights waiting for a clearer picture before they know how much this development might matter. [Read more 🡒]
UCF's Keyshawn Hall Reunion Dream May Come Down To One Obstacle
A recent court injunction has opened the door for former UCF forward Keyshawn Hall to play one more season of college basketball, and the possibility has put a familiar reunion back on the table. Hall, who previously declared for the NBA draft and spent summer league with the Miami Heat before struggling to land a roster spot, has become one of the more intriguing names on the market as programs weigh whether to bring him back into the fold.
UCF is among the schools with interest, alongside LSU, Kansas and Kentucky, but the chase may ultimately come down to whether the Knights can match the financial reality surrounding his return. Halls decision is now tied to a marketplace that could favor the biggest spenders, leaving UCF hoping the pull of a second act in Orlando is enough to keep it in the race. [Read more 🡒]