After missing spring camp, the James Madison transfer spent the summer mastering Scott Frost’s playbook and building rapid chemistry with a deep, talented stable of Knights playmakers.
Alonza Barnett III couldn't build an on-field connection with the UCF Knights' wide receivers due to missing spring camp, but he turned that around rapidly over the summer.
The coaching staff held Barnett out to protect their quarterback's health as he nursed minor injuries. He said he took mental reps while on the sideline, familiarizing himself with his receivers' habits and coach Scott Frost's playbook.
It was primetime for the James Madison transfer to work behind the scenes without the media questioning his availability when spring camp ended.
He said he worked out with his teammates during the summer and during OTAs. Even social media clips of Barnett throwing various passes at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana surfaced.
What he missed in the spring, he regained in the summer.
His teammates' work ethic impressed him. Barnett said it was refreshing to see his receivers want to run routes after the team finished a conditioning session on Monday.
"It really helps me and the other quarterbacks make sure we hold ourselves to that same standard," Barnett told local media.
UCF's starting quarterback has talented receivers to throw to. Duane Thomas Jr. and Waden Charles headline the group as returners from last season.
Thomas Jr. led the team in receptions (53) and receiving yards (528). The senior was a Swiss Army knife, as Frost used him as a rusher in designed jet sweeps.
Wide receiver coach Sean Beckton Sr. praised his improvement as a route runner. Beckton said he's winning at the top of routes and showing more patience instead of coming out early.
Charles is a rising sophomore who earned starting reps toward the end of the year. He finished with under 300 yards, but the uptick in snaps signals he could be more involved in the offense next season.
The fellow newcomer that Barnett could form a dynamic duo with is Monmouth transfer Josh Derry.
Derry was a top receiver in the FCS, compiling 1,123 yards (14.78 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns on 76 receptions en route to an All-CAA First Team honor.
Barnett never played with a 1,000-yard receiver at James Madison. If Derry's production carries over, the pair could quickly become one of the Big 12's most productive quarterback-receiver tandems.
Frost is relying on one last season from the JMU transfer to turn the Knights' program around. He said the team will go as far as Barnett takes them, and by extension, that applies to the receivers, too.
