Scott Frost prioritizes continuity over a complete overhaul, anchoring a veteran core led by dynamic playmaker Duane Thomas Jr. and defensive powerhouse Horace Lockett to snap a bowl drought.
Coach Scott Frost found players he wanted to build around last season, which has led the UCF Knights to rank 29th in the FBS in returning production at 61%.
Frost used the first season of his second stint to lay the foundation of the culture he envisions for the program. There were growing pains throughout the season, as inexperience and lack of discipline extended UCF's bowl drought to two seasons after a 5-7 season.
After the season-ending loss to then-No. 19 BYU, Frost said he had an idea of which players he wanted to retain. To him, bringing those Knights back meant filling in holes via the transfer portal rather than building an entire team.
Wide receivers Duane Thomas Jr. and Waden Charles, defensive backs Jayden Bellamy and Braeden Marshall, and defensive tackle Horace Lockett are several key returners for next season.
Thomas Jr. is taking a step forward and embracing a leadership role as a senior. He was Frost's Swiss Army knife; not only did he lead the team in yards (528) and receptions (53), the 5-foot-8 receiver also had a career-high in rushing attempts at 14.
Charles is the youngest of the bunch, and the most promising. The rising sophomore returned to UCF, calming the fears of fans who thought he could depart after Tony Williams, who has the same agency, entered the transfer portal. He started the final five games of last season, signaling his rise in the program as a star receiver.
Bellamy and Marshall are the senior duo leading the defensive back unit. They helped the Knights become a top-three pass defense in the Big 12, and aim to continue that dominance this season.
The duo played a pivotal role in the program's second conference victory against Oklahoma State. Bellamy deflected a pass from Zane Flores, and Marshall secured the game-sealing interception.
Lockett is arguably the most impactful returner, despite playing four games last season due to a season-ending torn pectoral muscle. He revealed his decision to enter the transfer portal was family-based, as his mother was dealing with health complications, but he ultimately withdrew his name from the portal and stayed at UCF.
The interior defensive line missed his size, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 355 pounds. He should help strengthen a lacking pass rush that was middle of the pack, ranking eighth in the conference with 26 sacks.
Throughout a tumultuous 2025, Frost built lasting relationships with his players, which led to one of the best retention percentages in the FBS. UCF lost 14 players to the portal last season.
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