Boise State transfer Kaleb Annett seizes early backup duties as Scott Frost evaluates a deep quarterback room bolstered by experienced playmakers and promising freshman talent in Orlando.
With Alonza Barnett III being UCF's clear starter heading into next season, head coach Scott Frost gave a bit of insight into the rest of the room following the first day of Fall camp.
Frost said that Boise State transfer Kaleb Annett has been taking the second-team reps thus far, noting that other players will have the opportunity to do so as well.
Annett, a former 3-star recruit, is yet to take a collegiate snap, having redshirted his first season with the Broncos and seeing no action last year.
But, he was a high-level producer in high school, finishing his career with 4,163 yards and 41 touchdowns and recording nine games with three or more touchdown passes.
As a senior, Annett threw for 2,751 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 197 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Outside of Annett, Keyone "Lights Out" Jenkins and freshman Rocco Marriott make up the rest of UCF's QB room, which Frost applauded for its overall talent.
"There's been a lot of talk about Alonza, but I really like our quarterback room in general," Frost said. "Just the professional nature they approach things with, the talent we have in that room, I feel great about that room."
Frost went onto say how great it is to have a "clear-cut" No. 1 in Barnett, who brings a level of consistency and production that UCF has lacked at that position over past years.
After leading James Madison to a College Football Playoff berth, Barnett shined against a stout Oregon defense.
The Dukes scored 34 points as a team, with Barnett accounting for three total touchdowns, 273 yards passing and 45 yards rushing.
He has talked about wanting to get back to the CFP, and how "addicting" it was to play in a game of that magnitude.
Jenkins is another player with experience and leadership qualities, throwing for nearly 7,000 yards in his three-year career.
Last season was a bit of a down year for Jenkins, who posted career lows in passing yards (1,742) and passing touchdowns (9).
But, the Miami, FL, native still brings a level of experience to the room that will be crucial if Barnett misses time.
Marriott rounds out the group and has looked impressive during the first few practices, with Co-Host of @LockedOn_UCF James Duncan highlighting the young gunslingers top throws at practice on Monday.
He certainly looks the part, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, while possessing physical tools that are advanced for his age.
Many Knights fans are excited to see him in black and gold and pushed for the program to go after him after he decomitted from James Madison.
One user on X, @dali_drama, tweeted prior to his official flip, saying "Rocco Marriott's build for a freshman QB moves me. Close."
That's just what the Knights did, bringing in their second former Duke of the cycle.
Marriott will be a sponge this season, learning the ins-and-outs of college football from the experienced players on the roster.
I would not be surprised if he is the lead candidate to start in 2027.
