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NFL·BREAKING·October 26, 2026 04:09 PM ET

Scott Frost names Keyone Jenkins permanent UCF starting quarterback

Alonza Barnett III nears return, but Jenkins keeps QB1 job

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 14h2 min read
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What happened: UCF head coach Scott Frost announced Monday that he will ride the "hot hand" with senior quarterback Keyone Jenkins moving forward following the unranked Knights' double-overtime upset of No. 2 BYU. Jenkins earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors alongside Cincinnati running back Cole Tabb after throwing a 25-yard overtime touchdown pass to Josh Derry and connecting with Tyren Hornes on the decisive two-point conversion in double overtime. Hornes also turned a third-quarter screen pass into a 56-yard gain on third-and-18 to set up Jenkins' 1-yard go-ahead rushing touchdown for a 24-21 lead.

Why it matters: The former three-year FIU starter has stabilized a UCF quarterback room that struggled through multiple injuries last season, giving the offense steady production even as original starter Alonza Barnett III nears a return to full health. Since a difficult Week 3 debut against Georgia State, Jenkins has progressively unlocked more of Frost's playbook against ranked conference opponents and against BYU's fifth-ranked Big 12 scoring defense. The upset victory puts the Knights two wins away from ending a two-year bowl drought.

By the numbers: Jenkins threw for a season-best 293 yards and three touchdowns while adding 35 rushing yards and a score against BYU, marking his second consecutive game with at least 200 passing yards and four total touchdowns. After going 7-for-17 passing with one touchdown, one interception, and 25 rushing yards with two scores against Georgia State in Week 3, he rebounded in Week 4 against TCU by completing 19 of 20 passes (95.0 percent) to break McKenzie Milton's single-game program completion record (24-for-26 vs. Austin Peay in October 2017). He also surpassed 200 passing yards against then-No. 20 Houston on Oct. 3 and accounted for four touchdowns against then-No. 18 Oklahoma State on Oct. 10.

What to watch: Jenkins will lead the Knights into their remaining Big 12 schedule as UCF seeks the two victories required to clinch bowl eligibility, while Frost manages Barnett's role once the transfer quarterback is cleared to return.

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