Knights search for QB stability with James Madison transfer Alonza Barnett III. Can his dual-threat talent and proven winning pedigree ignite UCF's offense?
James Madison transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett III is looking to provide UCF with stability at the quarterback position for the first time in a long time. Over the past few seasons, the Knights have had a QB carousel, searching for a bonafide starter they can trust.
This past portal, head coach Scott Frost solved this dilemma, bringing in Barnett III after an impressive campaign with the Dukes. Barnett III recently led James Madison to a College Football Playoff berth, where they scored 34 points on an Oregon defense that shutout the Big 12 champion Texas Tech Red Raiders in the following round.
CBS Sports released a list, ranking the ten best fits for transfer quarterbacks, with Barnett III's commitment to UCF ranking ninth.
"Barnett led James Madison on an unlikely run to the College Football Playoff after an impressive junior campaign. In the first round against No. 5 Oregon, he played well, finishing with 273 yards passing, 45 yards rushing and three total touchdowns," CBS Sports writer Shehan Jeyarajah wrote. "Now, he'll get the chance to reorient Scott Frost's offense at UCF. His dual-threat upside gives Frost options."
UCF has preferred having mobile quarterbacks and Barnett III provides the escapability Frost is looking for. Last season, he ran for 589 yards while adding 15 touchdowns with his legs.
But, Frost has mostly focused on Barnett III's intangibles and experience when bragging on him to media.
"What I love more than anything about Alonza is he's a winner and he's a proven winner. I think when you're a really good team, you have really exceptional leadership from that position," Frost said. "You have somebody that's tough at that position that other people want to get behind and play for and believe in. So, not even speaking about the talent that he brings, just really impressed with his demeanor."
Frost also commented on the luxury of having a bonafide QB1 on his roster from day one after having to wait until just before opening week to name a starter last year .
UCF general manager Trent Mossbrucker explained to media why he and Frost targeted 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 will look to lead UCF back to bowl-game eligibility after missing out the past two seasons.