It is chaotic in Orlando right now. Honestly, if you blinked over the last two weeks, you probably missed five roster moves and a coaching change. The ucf football transfer portal window for 2026 has been a complete whirlwind, especially with Scott Frost back at the helm and basically flipping the script on how this team is built.
The biggest shocker? The quarterback room is almost unrecognizable.
Most people thought Tayven Jackson would stick around after a decent statistical season, but he's gone. So is Jacurri Brown. And Cam Fancher? He headed to Michigan State. Basically, UCF lost nearly 85% of its passing yards from last year in a single two-week span. It’s the kind of roster turnover that makes fans nervous, but there is a method to the madness.
The Alonza Barnett III Era Begins
You’ve probably heard the name by now. Alonza Barnett III is the new face of the program. Coming in from James Madison, he isn't just a "bridge" player; the guy was the Sun Belt Player of the Year. He threw for over 2,800 yards and ran for 15 touchdowns last season alone.
Gus Malzahn may be gone, but the offensive philosophy under the new staff still craves a dual-threat guy who can survive the Big 12 grind. Barnett fits that. He’s a rising redshirt senior with legitimate playoff experience—he led JMU into the College Football Playoff and held his own against Oregon.
UCF isn't just looking for talent; they're looking for winners who don't blink on the big stage.
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Why the Defense is Being Rebuilt from Scratch
If you look at the sheer numbers, the defensive side of the ucf football transfer portal is where things get truly wild. We are talking about losing massive contributors like defensive tackle John Walker and a host of defensive backs including Jyaire Brown and Jaeden Gould.
It feels like a fire sale, but it’s actually more of a defensive surgery.
Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and new DB coach Will Johnson are clearly looking for a specific type of athlete. They went out and grabbed Tackett Curtis from Wisconsin. He’s a former four-star linebacker who already has nearly 100 career tackles. Then they added Ty Bartrum, an AP All-American safety from Harvard who had 83 tackles last year.
It’s a "brain and brawn" approach. They are replacing raw athleticism with high-IQ players who have proven they can find the ball in traffic.
- Alonza Barnett III (QB): The centerpiece. Total dual-threat monster.
- Landen Chambers (RB): Ran for over 1,200 yards at Central Arkansas. Total workhorse.
- Tackett Curtis (LB): The new anchor of the middle defense.
- Josh Derry (WR): An FCS All-American from Monmouth with 13 touchdowns. He’s the deep threat this offense desperately lacked last year.
Breaking Down the Trenches
You can't win in the Big 12 without a massive offensive line. Period. Last year’s unit was, frankly, a mess of penalties and missed assignments. To fix that, the staff brought in AJ Blazek as the new O-line coach and immediately went to work in the portal.
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They landed Cooper Terpstra from Michigan State. He’s 6'4" and over 300 pounds. More importantly, he was the highest-rated lineman for the Spartans in his final game. They also snagged Brady Wayburn from UConn and Henry Tabansi from Buffalo. These aren't just depth pieces; these are guys with double-digit starts who understand the leverage games required at this level.
It's sorta interesting to see the strategy here. Instead of chasing five-star benchwarmers from SEC schools, UCF is targeting "alpha" players from G5 and FCS programs who were the best players on their previous teams.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Roster
There's this narrative that the ucf football transfer portal moves indicate a "rebuilding" year. I disagree. When you bring in a quarterback who just won a conference title and a punter like Atticus Bertrams who can flip the field, you aren't rebuilding. You're reloading for a specific window.
The Knights finished 5-7 last year. That’s not the standard in Orlando. The portal isn't just about filling holes; it's about raising the floor. Last year, when an injury hit the QB room, the season basically tanked. This year, with Barnett and incoming freshmen like Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr, the room has actual layers.
The Real Impact of the Coaching Carousel
We can't talk about the portal without mentioning the staff. Scott Frost’s return has brought a certain level of "Space U" energy back, but the hires of guys like Trey Neyer (Assistant GM) and Cooper Bassett (Tight Ends) show a move toward a more professionalized scouting department.
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They are treating the portal like an NFL free agency period.
They’ve got 24 commitments in this cycle already. That’s one of the largest classes in the country. Is it risky? Absolutely. Chemistry is a real thing, and trying to mesh two dozen new faces in one spring camp is a tall order. But after the way 2025 ended, the status quo wasn't an option.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following this team, keep a close eye on the spring game. You want to see how quickly Alonza Barnett III builds rapport with Josh Derry and Jonathan Bibbs. If that connection clicks early, the Big 12 is going to have a problem.
Also, watch the defensive rotation. With six defensive tackles leaving and new faces like Thomas Collins (Oregon State) and Josh Schell (Tennessee) coming in, the "Bounce House" crowd needs to see if the run defense can actually hold its ground this time.
The ucf football transfer portal cycle officially closes its primary window on January 16. By the time the Knights kick off against Bethune-Cookman in September, this roster will be one of the most experienced—yet newest—groups in college football.
Check the final scholarship counts. As of mid-January, the Knights are pushing the limit, meaning we might see a few more "medical hardships" or late departures to balance the 85-man cap. This is the new reality of college football: a constant, 365-day roster evolution.
Get ready for a wild ride in the 2026 season.