UCF's GM reveals his strategic approach to building a winning roster through the transfer portal, prioritizing talent and a crucial blend of youth and experience.
Last summer, one of head coach Scott Frost's first moves after returning to UCF was to reunite with Trent Mossbrucker. Mossbrucker, now UCF's General Manager Player of Personnel, Acquisitions and Roster Management, worked with Frost during his first UCF stint.
This was his first time helping Frost go after players in the portal since rejoining the Knights, but he says that he was well-prepared.
"I think preparation for the portal starts in the springtime. You're starting to watch college football, starting to identify guys maybe at the FCS and G5 levels that could could go in the portal at some point, you know, if they want to the following year," Mossbrucker said. "So you start to watch that in the spring time. You start to gather notes... And you're identifying them, creating your lists. And then once January 2 hits and then they hit the portal, all right, now we're moving. We've already identified these guys. We think the talent level is there and now we're moving with those guys."
Mossbrucker went on to explain that he and his staff had been looking into some of UCF's biggest portal acquisitions for a long time, including James Madison transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett III.
"Obviously they were having a great year at JMU. Then, you start to hear coaching rumors and if a coach leaves somewhere then you start to identify people on their roster. Um, so I think that's how Alonza kind of came up. You know, they're having a great year, kind of chugging along there," Mossbrucker said. "Rumors came up that his head coach may leave, so now he becomes a guy that's on your radar. Now you can go back and watch all the games that he played and feel very comfortable about that."
Barnett III was a huge get for the Knights, as they have dealt with instability at the quarterback position as of late. Frost also recently commented on how nice it is to have a clear QB1 on the roster and how impressed he has been with Barnett III around the facilities.
But, overall, Mossbrucker's approach to identifying potential players to recruit is quite simple. When asked about his "overarching strategic vision" when constructing a roster through the portal, Mossbrucker simply replied, "Really good players."
He explained that within the current landscape of college sports and NIL, the team is focusing on bringing in a balance of impressionable high school recruits and experienced portal acquisitions that can help the younger guys grow.
The Knights have done that, bringing in a good mix of young and experienced talent. Now, its up to Frost and Mossbrucker to put the finishing touches on the roster and prepare for Frost's second year back in Orlando.