UCF KNIGHTS

UCF stumbled through back-to-back losing seasons in 2024 (4-8) and 2025 (5-7), with Gus Malzahn fired after the 2024 campaign and Scott Frost returning for his second stint. Running back RJ Harvey's 1,577-yard, 22-touchdown 2024 season made his cards a focal point before he departed, while quarterback instability plagued 2025 with four different signal-callers rotating after injuries. The Knights brought in 70 new players via the transfer portal for 2025, creating roster churn that shifted collector focus away from continuity plays toward identifying which transfers would stick.

Where they stand: The 2026 season has not yet begun, with UCF sitting at 0-0 ahead of their September 3 opener. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III, the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year who transferred from James Madison after a College Football Playoff appearance, arrives to stabilize the position after last year's four-quarterback rotation. The Knights added 30 new players for 2026, betting that a more experienced roster can reverse the recent trajectory in the Big 12.