Frost names Fancher QB1, Other Names to Watch in Week 1
BY ADAM EATON | SonsofUCF.com
In advance of the 2025 season opening game against Jax State, UCF head coach Scott Frost named former Marshall and FAU quarterback Cam Fancher as the starter. Fancher joined the Knights from the transfer portal in December 2024, and has been in a competition with fellow QBs Tayven Jackson and Jacurri Brown. While Fancher’s appointment might come as a surprise to some in the national media, his grasp of the playbook, command of the huddle, and consistent play was something talked about amongst coaches and staffers.
Fancher’s career stats aren’t exactly eye-popping, with over 5,200 yards passing, 27 TDs, and 23 INT’s in 34 games. In his last two seasons (2023 at Marshall and 2024 at FAU), he has a 1-to-1 TD to INT ratio, with 17 a piece. He might be an X-factor in the run game though, as he has amassed over 1,000 rushing yards at 8 TDs in his career.
However, Fancher might not want to get too comfortable in the starter’s chair, with Scott Frost indicating that he is the starter for “right now”, and that there could be plans to consider playing other quarterbacks. Heck, even the UCF graphics department made a point to show Fancher as the starter for this game only:
https://twitter.com/UCF_Football/status/1960009971351134651
All of this indicates that the QB competition for the Knights might not be fully settled right now. But, for Cam Fancher, he’ll have a chance to stake his claim right out of the gate.
Names to Watch For
With over 60 new players on the Knights roster, here are some guys who have an opportunity to have a breakout season in 2025:
Jaden Nixon, RB – Nixon joins the Knights after spending time with Western Michigan (2024) and Oklahoma State (2021-23). The self-described speedster will join returning running back Myles Montgomery to hopefully give the Knights a dynamic one-two punch.
Kylan Fox, TE – The 6’4” true sophomore didn’t see the field much in 2024, but with graduations and transfers at the tight end position, Fox is a prime candidate to see an increased workload. Coaches have described him as a threat in the passing game based on his soft hands and agility, and, with some uncertainty at the wide receiver position, he could quickly become a QBs favorite target.
Phillip Dunnam, S – The FAU (2024) and Indiana transfer (2022-23) has turned some heads at practice with his ball-hawking ability and propensity to be a playmaker. With a new look secondary, the defensive staff is hoping Dunnam can translate his practice play into production come gametime.
Lewis Carter, LB – Carter comes to the Knights after spending the 2023-24 season with Oklahoma. A central Florida native, Carter’s decision to join UCF filled an immediate need at the linebacker position based on graduations and transfers. He has impressed coaches throughout camp, and would appear to be firmly entrenched as a starter.
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