UCF football continues to work the portal, while MBB looks to make some noise in the Big 12
By Adam Eaton
Wave two in the portal
The UCF Knights coaching staff continued to work the transfer portal, searching for additions in key areas to bolster the 2026 roster. The most significant needs are along the offensive and defensive line, where the Knights lost key players to graduation and transfers.
To rebuild, the Knights signed offensive tackles Henry Tabansi (Buffalo) and Tyler Gibson (Charlotte), who both stand 6’5” and weigh over 305 pounds. Both players seem to fit the profile being established by new offensive line coach AJ Blazek: BIG. All told, with the four offensive line signees thus far, UCF has added over 1200 pounds of beef.
The Knights also got busy in the skill position groups, adding WRs Jonathan “Slim Jim” Bibbs (ULM) and Josh “Scary” Derry (Old Dominion). Both players had breakout seasons for their respective schools in 2025, and UCF hopes that experience will translate to the Big 12.
Perhaps the biggest skill position add came in the form of running back Duke Watson (Louisville), a 6’0” rising junior who had a breakout 2024 season with almost 600 yards rushing and 7 TDs. Coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season that limited him to only seven games, the Knights are hoping Watson can re-establish his form and take a lead role in their young running back room.
On the defensive side of the ball, UCF has made several key acquisitions along the front, including Thomas Collins(Oregon State), Josh Schell (Tennessee), Ken Talley (Arkansas), Bruno Dall (Akron), and L A Jessie Harrold (Florida State). This group has intriguing potential with their speed and size, but overall, it is light on playing experience. Knights’ defensive coaches, including Kenny Martin (DLs) and Mike Dawson (DEs), will be tasked with quickly turning potential into production.
We often hear coaches talk about winning all three phases of the game, and UCF took some steps to bolster its special teams unit with the addition of kicker Will Stone (Texas) and punter Atticus Bertrams (Wisconsin). Both players should factor into the game-day kicking operation in 2026.
New offensive assistant
The Knights added to their coaching roster this past week as well, announcing former Oklahoma State offensive line coach Cooper Bassett as the new tight ends coach. Before his time in Stillwater, Bassett spent two seasons as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator for Utah State.
Bassett brings Big 12 experience to the staff, both as a coach and from his playing days, also at Oklahoma State. The move will allow offensive coordinator Steve Cooper, who coached the tight end group in 2025, to focus solely on his coordinator duties.
Men’s Hoops get ranked … briefly
As the UCF Knights men’s basketball team began Big 12 conference play, they continued their winning ways from their non-conference schedule. First, the Knights took down then 17th-ranked Kansas at home, which earned them their first Top 25 ranking since 2019. However, having the number 25 next to their name was no help as the Knights suffered a tough road loss at Oklahoma State to level their conference record at 1-1.
On Sunday, the Knights returned home to face conference rival Cincinnati, who they had not beaten in regular-season play since 2022, when both were still members of the American Conference. The game also had a little extra juice with the return of Bearcats big man Moustapha Thiam, who transferred to Chili Town after spending the 2024-25 season with UCF.
The game was back-and-forth throughout, with Cincinnati grabbing a one-point lead with 24 seconds left on the clock. The Knights’ ensuing offensive possession saw guard Themus Fulks nail a floater from the key with 11 seconds on the clock to grab the lead back for UCF. On the final possession of the game, Cincinnati worked the ball around to Jalen Celestin, who missed a three-point shot at the buzzer.
The 73-72 win moves the Knights to 13-2 (2-1) on the season as they prepare to head to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on Kansas State. They will enter this game unranked, as they fell outside the Top 25 in the latest AP Poll.
Quote Me On That
“The fans should definitely hiss as they did tonight.”
UCF head basketball coach Johnny Dawkins, referring to Moustapha Thiam being booed by the home crowd.
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