The 2026 process is underway for the Knights
By Adam Eaton | Sons of UCF
Welcome to Portal Season
We have now entered the offseason, when vague emojis and the phrase “with that being said” stir up all kinds of emotions among coaches, players, and fans. That’s right, folks: buckle up for portal season!
For the UCF Knights, the portal intentions have been coming in steadily over the last week or so, headlined by several players who saw significant playing time or were featured in the two-deep. While nothing is official until January 2nd, and recognizing that this is an ever-evolving list, here are some key names who are likely headed to the portal as of Monday night:
QB, Tayven Jackson – started 10 games for the Knights, and came on in relief in another.
DT, John Walker – a former four-star recruit and local Orlando product who played a significant role in plugging up the middle of the defensive line
C, Carter Miller – A starter for the first nine games before a season-ending illness, Miller anchored the Knights’ often makeshift offensive line.
TE, Kylan Fox – An athletic tight end who just wrapped up his true sophomore season, Fox figured to be a bigger part of the passing game in 2025, but saw his snaps diminish over the last few weeks of the season.
Not all bad news
Nothing says College Football 2025 like the new phenomenon of players announcing that they have re-signed or intend to return to a school. While UCF has not announced anything formal, several players have taken to social media to share what many assume is a message indicating their return. Again, nothing can really be considered official until the portal closes on January 16th, but here are some players who are presumed to return:
WR, Duane Thomas, Jr – a Swiss-Army knife type of player, Thomas lined up all over the field for the Knights in 2025. The rising senior led UCF in receptions, and his speed figures to be something UCF will continue to find ways to maximize in 2026
WR, Waden Charles – after a vague emoji tweet struck panic, Charles tweeted that he would be running it back with UCF. A true freshman in 2025, Charles became a key part of the receiving corps over the last few weeks of the season. Keeping a young and talented player at home is a nice win for the Knights.
OL, Connor Meadows – A swing tackle and part-time jumbo package tight end, Meadows will return to a UCF offensive line that will need to be rebuilt, again. Having a player familiar with the scheme and culture could help to ease the transition within the group.
Knights coaches and front office staff are continuing conversations with several players to secure their commitment for 2026, but, as with anything in college football, things remain fluid.
Staff Changes
At his signing-day press conference, Knights coach Scott Frost indicated he wanted to bring back everyone on his entire coaching staff for 2026. Those plans changed when news broke that defensive backs coach Brandon Harris would be leaving for Florida State. Several days later, reports emerged that Harris had actually decided to accept a position at Florida instead. While a signing has not been officially announced, UCF is now in the market for a new DB coach.
The tragic passing of offensive line coach Shawn Clark early in the season also left a big void for the Knights. Frost and his offensive staff did their best to hold that unit together, but a full-time coach is needed. It’s possible that UCF could announce a hire this week.
Shopping List
Once the portal opens, the Knights will need to prioritize several key positions to bolster the 2026 roster.
Offensive Line – Of the eight different linemen that played significant snaps in 2025, five of them will depart via graduation or the transfer portal. For a unit that had struggled all season with penalties and execution, the Knights cannot afford another campaign of below-standard performance. UCF will need to stock up on starting caliber players and also acquire some depth.
Quarterback – The Knights appear scheduled to lose three of the four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster to the portal or graduation. The only remaining signal caller, Davi Belfort, saw limited action in 2025 and recently had a cryptic tweet about his future, leaving his status in question. Scott Frost mentioned that senior QB Cam Fancher might be able to obtain a medical waiver after missing most of the season, but his return is not yet solidified. From the high school ranks, the Knights will welcome two true freshmen to the roster, but there may be a long runway of development ahead. It stands to reason that UCF could look to bring in two to three players to fill out the depth chart.
Skill Players – The Knights are losing the majority of their running back production from 2025, and will have two young and unproven players, Taevion Swint and Stacy Gage, remaining on the roster. At the wideout position, UCF never really established a consistent playmaker or go-to receiver, which hurt the offense in key moments. The Knights will bring in some high school talent, but they will likely need to add at each position.
Linebacker – The Knights relied on a four-man rotation at linebacker in 2025, and as it stands now, three of those four players will leave UCF due to graduation. The only holdover, Lewis Carter, who has not yet announced his 2026 intentions, was UCF’s most productive backer. Although they have a stable of young linebackers, the Knights will most certainly need to grab at least one starter and several depth pieces.
Quote Me On That
“I think we had a couple games that we, you know, we were pretty close there and we just couldn’t get over the hump. But I think starting this second era with Coach Frost, that’s a good stepping stone this season. Maybe it’s not as good as we all wanted it, but I think it’s a good stepping stone. I think we’re going in the right direction. I think we’re gonna be competitive in the conference next season for sure.”
Daunte Culpepper, UCF QB 1995-1998