UCF football prepared to 'take it slow' with new QB Alonza Barnett III
Alonza Barnett III, UCF's prized quarterback addition from the transfer portal, was limited in the team's first spring practice.
ORLANDO — UCF broke spring camp March 31 with its highest-profile transfer addition sidelined for the portion of practice open to the media. Redshirt senior quarterback Alonza Barnett III went through stretches with his new squad but did not participate in 11-on-11 tempo reps or individual position-group drills. Knights coach Scott Frost said following the first of his team's 15 practices that he was prepared to "take it slow" with Barnett as he recovers from an undisclosed injury.
"He's just dealing with a couple little things. We don't want to push it," Frost said. "He's been doing an unbelievable job in offseason workouts with the guys and getting himself ready.
"We'll get reps out of him out of spring. He's obviously taking mental reps right now. A guy that's played as much football as him, we've just got to make sure he's good to go come fall.
He's picking up everything so fast that it's not a concern to me at all. " Barnett, UCF's first announced signing of the 2026 transfer portal class, won Sun Belt Player of the Year honors as James Madison won the conference and snatched an automatic bid into the College Football Playoff. Over the last two seasons, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Barnett has thrown for 5,404 yards with 49 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.