Alonza Barnett III has certainly been enjoying his time since arriving in Orlando in December.
Ever since he signed with UCF to be the Knights’ new starting quarterback, Barnett has taken full advantage of the benefits of his new home. The school’s slogan: “Live where the world vacations,” has never been truer for the 23-year-old Barnett.
“I’ve been able to go to Disney (World). I’ve seen (Universal’s) Volcano Bay. I’ve been to an (Orlando) Magic playoff game. All those experiences, especially in my last year of college football, I’m very appreciative of,” he said.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound right-hander transferred to UCF after spending four seasons at James Madison, where he led the Dukes to a 21-6 record as a two-year starter.
Last season, Barnett guided JMU to its ninth double-digit win season, finishing with a record of 12-2. The team also clinched its 10th conference championship by securing the Sun Belt Conference title with a decisive 31-14 victory over Troy in the championship game.
The Dukes earned a spot in the College Football Playoff before suffering a 51-34 loss to No. 5 Oregon in the first round.
Barnett was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year after completing 58% of his passes for 2,806 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 589 yards and a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns.
It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that Barnett has been as successful as he has been.
His father played defensive back at North Carolina A&T before a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. Yet, Barnett Jr. didn’t thrust football upon his son, rather letting him choose his own path.
“Football wasn’t forced upon me. It was something I naturally gravitated towards. For me and my sister, he allowed us to choose our own path,” Barnett III said.
His journey began with a mix of baseball and track and field during his early years, but he eventually redirected his attention to football in elementary school. Initially playing as a flanker and safety, Barnett ultimately found his true calling as a quarterback.
Along the way, his parents made plenty of sacrifices.
“Early mornings, long nights, not so many vacations,” said Barnett. “We used vacations through sports, whether it was taking my sister to Virginia Beach for a track meet or things like that. There were a lot of sacrifices that they didn’t tell me about, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to appreciate them.”
UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III is pictured during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive tackle Thomas Collins is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF running back Taevion Swint is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF player Horace Lockett is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF players walk between stations during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF player Sincere Edwards is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF offensive lineman Preston Cushman is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF linebacker Tackett Curtis is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive back Jayden Williams is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive back Demari Henderson is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF punter Atticus Bertrams is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF kicker Will Stone is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III (right) smlies as he walks in to be interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. At left is UCF assistant athletic director Ken Landis. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF defensive back Braeden Marshall is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF player Horace Lockett is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III is pictured during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
UCF running back Landen Chambers is interviewed during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III is pictured during UCF Football Media Day at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on the UCF campus on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
His performance last season was one of the reasons why the North Carolina native was one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer market this offseason, with ESPN ranking him No. 21 in a group that included Sam Leavitt (LSU), Darian Mensah (Miami), Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State) and Josh Hover (Indiana).
Signing Barnett was a priority for UCF and coach Scott Frost, who desperately needed to find an elite quarterback to lead the Knights in 2026. Quarterback had become a liability position for the program the past few seasons, with six different players having started games over a 24-game period.
The Knights haven’t had a quarterback start every game in a single season since Dillion Gabriel in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.
“We didn’t bring him in here to compete with anybody. We brought him in here to try to make him even better and hand him the reins and let him go,” Frost said of Barnett.
Barnett chose the Knights, in part, for the opportunity to play in a Power Four conference such as the Big 12.
“I’m not naive. I’m a smaller quarterback in stature, so the thing (NFL scouts) want to see is what it’s going to look like when he plays the Oregon’s week in and week out in a competitive conference like the Big 12,” Barnett said. “That was part of the lure that got me here, that and the pedigree of Coach Frost and Coach (McKenzie) Milton.”
Milton, who led UCF to an American Athletic Conference championship under Frost’s guidance in 2017, was immediately impressed with Barnett’s poise.
“What separates him from most young men his age is just the attitude he approaches his work with every day,” said Milton. “Professionalism is what you want in terms of face behind your program. Just temperament and demeanor, day in and day out. Don’t get too high. Don’t get too low.”
That poise and leadership have impressed many of his teammates.
“He loves the game,” said wide receiver Josh Derry, who joined the Knights as a transfer from Monmouth. “Even during the time he was out in the spring, we still got to meet with him and throw on the side. We listened to him talk about the game and understand the coverages. It’s great as a receiver to be around a guy that understands what we’re seeing.”
Barnett will try to revitalize an offense that finished 90th in scoring and 76th in passing and total offense. UCF hasn’t produced a 300-yard passer since Timmy McLain threw for 321 yards in the Knights’ 48-14 win over Villanova on Sept. 16, 2023.
While the on-field accomplishments are obviously important, Barnett knows it’s just part of what makes a quarterback successful.
“The biggest thing for me is the leadership. Continuing to show not only through verbal but body language, raising energy and raising the standard,” he said.
Still, Barnett knows the expectations are high for a program that hasn’t qualified for a bowl game since the 2023 season.
“My expectations of myself are so much greater than what anybody could ever say. So naturally, there’s a chip on my shoulder. I don’t think I look for external reasons for motivation, but just the internal reasons and beliefs of what Coach Frost has put on me to be a leader of this team.”
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.