Will Johnson, who spent the past two seasons at North Dakota State, reunites with UCF defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

Arguably the strength of all UCF positions in 2025 is taking a hit with five defensive tackles, including John Walker and Rodney Lora, entering the transfer portal. That leaves the Knights with just five defensive tackles, led by Horace Lockett, who only played 4 games in 2025, tearing his pectoral muscle at Kansas State.

Alex Farah and Danny Hope stepped in as UCF football co-offensive line coaches following Shawn Clark's death on Sept. 21.

Defensive backs coach Brandon Harris spent one season at UCF, and the Knights ranked 25th nationally in pass defense. He now heads to Florida State.

UCF elevated Alex Farah from offensive quality control coach to assistant offensive line coach following the death of Shawn Clark in September. Danny Hope, who hired Clark as his O-line coach during stints at Eastern Kentucky and Purdue, came out of retirement to assist the Knights for the final nine games.

UCF head football coach Scott Frost filed a lawsuit against his alma mater and former employer, the University of Nebraska, on Dec 12.

The UCF Knights are not going to have a full turnover of their offensive line for the 2026 season. Preston Cushman, who started all 12 games this past season at

Former James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III commits to UCF from the 2026 college football transfer portal