For the first time, Colorado will get UCF at Folsom Field, and the timing makes it one of the more interesting late-season matchups on the Buffs’ Big 12 slate. The Knights come to Boulder on Nov. 28, the final week of the regular season, with Scott Frost back in charge for Year 2 of his second run in Orlando.
There’s not much carryover from the last time these teams met. Colorado won comfortably in Orlando two years ago, but both rosters have been turned over by a wave of transfers. More than 70 combined transfers are expected to play for CU and UCF this fall, and the most notable name in the mix for the Knights is new quarterback Alonza Barnett III, the former James Madison standout.
Frost’s history with Colorado adds another layer. He lost to the Buffs twice during his five seasons as Nebraska’s head coach from 2018-22, though his first stint leading UCF was a different story entirely. That run included the Knights’ undefeated 2017 season.
UCF’s roster took some real hits, starting up front with DL John Walker. A four-star signee out of Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida, Walker spent the past three seasons in Orlando and was ranked by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 14 defensive lineman and No. 99 overall prospect in the 2023 class.
The Knights also lost TE Kylan Fox, who played in 23 games with three starts over the last two seasons. In 2025, he caught 16 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, with that score coming in UCF’s 34-9 win over North Carolina on September 2. His best statistical game came in the loss to Kansas, when he finished with four catches for 35 yards.
Then there’s QB Tayven Jackson, one of the first UCF players to announce a transfer decision this offseason. In his lone year with the Knights, he completed 200 of 315 passes for 2,151 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also added 54 rushing attempts for 85 yards and three scores.
Barnett is the centerpiece of the additions. UCF brought him in as the clear starter after he led James Madison to the College Football Playoff.
In 30 collegiate games, Barnett has completed 433 passes for 5,433 yards with 49 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while also rushing for 1,075 yards and 23 touchdowns. That dual-threat profile is exactly what Frost wants in his offense.
The Knights also added WR Josh Derry from Monmouth after a huge year at the FCS level. He posted 73 catches for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning FCS first-team All-American honors. At running back, UCF added Duke Watson from Louisville, a speed option who appeared in seven games in 2025 and finished with 158 rushing yards and a touchdown.
One of the games that could tell the story of UCF’s season comes early, when the Knights host TCU in their Big 12 home opener in Week 4. It’s the kind of matchup that should show whether this group is ready to take a real step forward in Frost’s second year.
Barnett’s status was one of the main talking points in spring camp, even though both Frost and the quarterback said his limited participation was precautionary. Barnett did not take part in spring camp, and during the first open practice he warmed up before leaving the field as drills started.
Frost pushed back on any talk of a major injury, saying Barnett is dealing with minor issues and being handled carefully. The expectation is that he’ll be fully involved in summer workouts and fall camp.
Behind him, Keyone Jenkins and Kaleb Annett are competing for the backup job.
The biggest concern for UCF right now is the edge rusher room. That position was a strength a year ago, but it has become one of the roster’s biggest questions after the departures of Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly.
Both earned NFL Scouting Combine invitations, with Lawrence going on to become the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round pick at No. 23 overall and Kelly signing with the Green Bay Packers. Frost said replacing that kind of production is a major challenge.
If there’s one area that should draw optimism, it’s wide receiver. UCF entered last season with almost no proven production there, but this year the room looks much stronger.
Derry was the spring standout, and he spent the 15 practices showing why he’s already viewed as a starting target. He worked both outside and in the slot, made contested catches along the sideline and repeatedly came through over the middle.
There is, however, one more spot worth watching. After a strong year from kicker Noe Ruelas, UCF is turning to Texas transfer Will Stone.
Stone was a senior at Texas in 2025 and mostly handled kickoff duties, appearing in four games. He made two extra points with the Longhorns, but he has not yet attempted a field goal in game action.
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