Momentum is building quickly in year two of Scott Frost’s return to UCF as the Knights wasted no time making an early splash in the transfer portal process, announcing the addition of quarterback Alonza Barnett III.

The reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and the driving force behind James Madison’s championship season and College Football Playoff appearance, Barnett made a name for himself as a Duke and looks to add an immediate spark to the Knights’ roster.

Through his redshirt junior season, Barnett has compiled an impressive 5,433 career passing yards with 49 touchdowns through the air while chewing up 1,075 rushing yards for an additional 23 touchdowns on the ground. Just this past season, he compiled 38 touchdowns, 23 through the air and 15 rushing. He ranked fifth in the nation in points responsible for, posting 232 for the Dukes. He also checked in at No. 24 nationally in passing yards per completion (12.99) and No. 31 in passing touchdowns.

The First Team All-Sun Belt quarterback finished the 2025 campaign in plenty of top 10 lists in James Madison’s program history, ranking fifth in single season rushing touchdowns, seventh in total offense and pass attempts, eighth in completions and ninth in passing touchdowns.

Barnett finished the 2025 season passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns while adding 45 rushing yards and a score at No. 5 Oregon in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

TRANSFER CLASS
A complete list of the 2026 UCF transfer portal class can be found below. Continue scrolling to read more about each individual transfer. Student-athletes will be listed once they are officially part of the 2026 UCF roster.