When the transfer window opened on Jan. 3, UCF football came prepared with a shopping list of needs it hoped to address in the portal.

There are no coupons in the transactional world of college athletics now and the Knights, like many schools, had a finite amount of money to work with, making talent evaluation perhaps the biggest asset next to a calculator.

Some of those needs were basic: restock a roster that would see nearly half of those players leave either through graduation or the transfer portal. Thirty-four players entered the portal following the end of the season, including a handful of starters such as quarterback Tayven Jackson, receiver DJ Black, center Carter Miller and defensive tackle John Walker.

In response, UCF signed more than two dozen transfers, all with the hopes of improving on a team that finished 5-7 last season.

Here is a look at six areas where the Knights hoped to improve on through the transfer market:

QUARTERBACK

The signing of former James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III is an upgrade at the quarterback spot for the Knights. Barnett was a two-year starter who led the Dukes to a 21-6 overall record and eventually a spot in the College Football Playoff this past season.

Barnett has all the tools to fit into coach Scott Frost’s offense: a strong pocket passer who doesn’t turn the ball over and who can use his legs to scramble out of trouble. He’s also got the leadership skills to help groom freshmen Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr.

RUNNING BACK

Landon Chambers and Duke Wilson step in for the departing Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon. Chambers rushed for over 1,200 yards last season at Central Arkansas, while Wilson was third among Louisville running backs in missed tackles forced (16) and yards after contact (170), all in just seven games.

Agyeman Addae had a strong showing late last season and Taevion Swint is back after missing all of last season with an injury. That, along with freshmen Kaj Baker and Arthur Lewis IV, gives the Knights a solid unit in the backfield.

RECEIVER

The unit that was one of the biggest unknowns in 2025 could end up being one of its strongest groups in 2026. The solid play of Duane Thomas Jr. and the emergence of Waden Charles provide the Knights with a solid foundation.

Newcomers like Jonathan Bibbs, who led Louisiana-Monroe in yards after catch (322) last season and Monmouth’s Josh Derry, who was the top graded receiver on the Hawks according to Pro Football Focus, will give the unit a boost.

Meet the new Knights players from transfer portal: UCF adds two key defenders

Day Day Farmer’s return from injury last season will also provide plenty of options for receivers coach Sean Beckton.

OFFENSIVE LINE

New offensive line coach AJ Blazek inherited a unit that needed to replace six players who started games last season, including Paul Rubelt, Carter Miller, Jabari Brooks, Keegan Smith and Cam Kinnie.

UCF signed four transfers: Cooper Terpstra, Brady Wayburn, Tyler Gibson and Henry Tabansi.

Tabansi was a two-year starting tackle at Buffalo with more than 1,600 offensive snaps under his belt, while Wayburn has more than 700 snaps during his time at UConn. Gibson’s versatility makes him an option at tackle or guard, after starting a handful of games at Charlotte and Terpstra is an up-and-coming center, who played at Michigan State.

They’ll team up with tackle Preston Cushman, the only returning starter, and Connor Meadows, Owen Spell, Justin Royes and Laparka Langston.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Malachi Lawrence and Nyjalik Kelly have been bookending UCF’s defensive front the past two seasons, but their departure left the Knights desperate for their replacements.

Sincere Edwards, who missed most of last season with an injury, and Isaiah Nixon are the two returnees at edge with the most experience. Newcomers Bruno Dall (Akron), Ken Talley (Arkansas) and Brad Gurley (Eastern Kentucky) have the potential to earn significant time at the spot.

Horace Lockett Jr.’s return from injury and his brief sojourn into the portal are perhaps the biggest get on the defensive line. Lockett, RJ Jackson and Jeffson Lafontant should see major minutes, as should Thomas Collins, a transfer from Oregon State.

SECONDARY

The return of starting cornerbacks Jayden Bellamy and Antione Jackson and starting safeties Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall spells good things for the secondary.

DJ Bell saw significant snaps at the corner last season, making him a huge plus.

Transfer safeties Caleb Flagg (Missouri), Kahmel Johnson (Wayne State) and Ty Bartrum (Harvard) have played significant snaps at their respective schools, as did cornerback Jailen Duffie (North Dakota State), who is reunited with his former position coach, Will Johnson.

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com