ORLANDO — It's another round of musical chairs at quarterback for the UCF Knights, a situation Scott Frost hoped to avoid when the transfer portal opened in 2026.

The team built its offseason around the addition of Alonza Barnett III, a two-year starter at James Madison fresh off Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year honors and a trip to the College Football Playoff. Frost's staff protected its sizable financial investment in Barnett, holding him out of all 15 spring practice sessions as a precaution.

Plans changed two games into the campaign when Barnett sustained a "fairly significant" hamstring injury, sidelining him for more than a month. Keyone Jenkins, a 33-game starter at Florida International, stepped in and steadied the ship at the start of Big 12 play. He led the Knights to their highest-ranked win in program history Oct. 24, a 39-31 double-overtime classic against BYU, with 293 passing yards and four total touchdowns.

However, seats could switch again for the stretch run after yet another injury.

Baylor's vaunted defensive front knocked Jenkins out in the third quarter of Friday's 41-9 defeat. Frost said the senior reaggravated an ankle problem, though the severity is unknown. Barnett returned from a five-game absence but could not provide the spark needed to ignite a comeback.

As November approaches, and with UCF needing another pair of wins to achieve bowl eligibility, uncertainty exists about the starting signal-caller going forward.

"I've said a lot that I feel good about our quarterbacks, whoever's in there," Frost said.

A familiar problem for UCF head coach Scott Frost

UCF flip-flopped through four quarterbacks in 2025, Frost's return to Orlando after seven years — five as Nebraska's head coach.

Cam Fancher lasted less than a half before getting clobbered on a sack, injuring his back, and then sustained broken ribs at Cincinnati a month later. Tayven Jackson started 10 times, but battled several ailments, including a shoulder joint sprain at Kansas State. Jacurri Brown injured his shoulder in that same game and did not see the field the rest of the year. Fourth-stringer Davi Belfort, now a wide receiver at James Madison, made a few appearances, throwing a game-sealing interception in a loss to Houston.

Thus, the root problem lies in the support system, as opposed to strictly a QB's individual performance or toughness.

"Whoever was playing quarterback, it's going to be hard if we don't block better and create a running game," Frost said. "I mean, we couldn't get anything going in the first half. We couldn't get a run game going, and we didn't protect very well."

Better blocking and rushing production would boost UCF QB

Baylor sacked Jenkins, Barnett and true freshman Rocco Marriott a combined seven times. UCF running backs Duke Watson and Landen Chambers gained just 44 yards on 14 attempts.

Comparatively, Barnett had the better night in the pocket. He went 8-of-16 passing for 133 yards, finishing with five straight completions. Jenkins was more accurate but settled for shorter throws, finishing 14 of 21 for 82 yards and an interception, a deflection off the hands of receiver Waden Charles and into the arms of Baylor's Devon Jordan.

The Knights have struggled all year to force opposing defenses to lighten their boxes and respect vertical routes.

Barnett, if given time, could potentially add that element to UCF's offense. According to Pro Football Focus, he went 20 of 54 for 749 yards, 10 touchdowns and two picks on passes traveling 20 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage last season. That would equate to an NFL passer rating of 109.2.

Kansas ranks third in the Big 12 against the pass, allowing 183.1 yards per game. Efficiency-wise, the Jayhawks sit a less-impressive 68th nationally.

The quarterback choice, if it's not made for Frost via injury, could decide whether the Knights go bowling or start their offseason planning early once again.