UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday. Barnett was injured on the final drive of UCF's 12-7 loss at Pitt on Saturday, and a timeline for his return is uncertain.
Barnett, a transfer from James Madison who led the Dukes to a Sun Belt title and the first round of the College Football Playoff in 2025, threw for 186 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-31 passing against Pitt in his second game as UCF's starter.
Keyone Jenkins, who replaced Barnett at the end of the loss, becomes UCF's expected starter. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior was a three-year starter at Florida International before transferring to join the Knights.
UCF dealt with injuries at quarterback frequently in 2025, with five different passers earning snaps in coach Scott Frost's first year back leading the program. The Knights rebuilt their quarterback room in the offseason with Barnett, Jenkins and Boise State transfer Kaleb Annett, and signed freshman Rocco Marriott, an SC Next 300 prospect.
UCF, at 1-1, closes out its nonconference schedule against Georgia State on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ before opening Big 12 play at home against TCU.
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