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UCF opens 2026 training camp with low expectations after a projected bottom‑half Big 12 finish. New quarterback Alonza Barnett III brings Sun Belt Player of the Year credentials, while the offensive line, run game and pass rush face major revisions.
The University of Central Florida’s 2025 national championship still reverberates across college football, but the Knights are already confronting a steep climb as they prepare for the 2026 season. Training camp opened with a sense of urgency, as the program grapples with a 7‑20 record against Big 12 opponents and a preseason projection that predicts another bottom‑half finish. At the heart of the conversation is the quarterback position, where UCF has turned to Alonza Barnett III, the Sun Belt Player of the Year who transferred from James Madison. Barnett brings a rare blend of arm strength and mobility, having posted 2,806 passing yards and 38 touchdowns last season, but coaches have flagged accuracy concerns that could shape his early playing time. The offensive line will also be reshaped, with former Wisconsin assistant AJ Blazek and Oklahoma State’s Cooper Bassett brought in to overhaul a unit that struggled in short‑yardage situations, including a three‑run stretch from the 1‑yard line against Kansas. Defensively, the Knights must replace edge rushers Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly, who combined for ten of the team’s 27 sacks, while hoping that a more aggressive pass rush from the front four can free up a secondary eager to generate turnovers under coordinator Alex Grinch. A New Era at UCF The blend of experienced returnees like right tackle Preston Cushman and fresh talent from the transfer portal — including Henry Tabansi, Brady Weyburn and Cooper Terpstra — creates a roster that is both hopeful and unsettled. As the Knights navigate a demanding Big 12 schedule, the early results of these moves will determine whether the 2025 magic can be rekindled.