Meet the new Knights players from transfer portal

It took a few days, but UCF is making a big splash in the transfer window as the Knights signed former James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III.

Barnett is the first of what should be a slew of signings over the next two weeks as the Knights look to fill out their roster for the 2026 season.

Here is a look at the transfer signings so far:

LB RASHAD HENRY

Vitals: 6-2, 230 pounds

Resume: Henry signed with UMass after spending time at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in South Florida, where he played middle linebacker and defensive end for the Raiders. He totaled 74 tackles, including 3 for a loss, a sack, 6 hurries and 2 interceptions his senior year.

Role: The Miami native appeared in 17 games (3 starts) over three seasons with the Minutemen, totaling 68 tackles.

Outlook: Henry becomes the third linebacker to sign in the 2026 transfer class, joining Tackett Curtis and Jahleel Culbreath.

RB DUKE WATSON

Vitals: 6-0, 180 pounds

Resume: Watson was a 3-star prospect from Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, Ga., when he signed with Louisville as part of its 2024 recruiting class. He rushed for 5,541 yards with 71 touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards per carry in 40 varsity games for the Bulldogs.

Role: The Georgia native spent two seasons with the Cardinals, appearing in 19 games (1 start) while totaling 755 yards on 116 carries with 8 touchdowns.

Outlook: With the departures of Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon, the Knights needed to boost the depth at running back. Watson’s signing gives UCF a pair of veteran backs, teaming him up with Landon Chambers.

LB JAHLEEL CULBREATH

Vitals: 6-4, 222 pounds

Resume: Culbreath signed with Old Dominion out of Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va., as part of the Monarchs’ 2022 recruiting class.

Role: Culbreath spent four seasons at ODU, the past two as the Monarchs’ starting middle linebacker. He totaled 149 tackles, including 17.5 for a loss and 3 sacks.

Outlook: The Knights continue rebuilding the linebacker unit, with starter Lewis Carter serving as the anchor. Culbreath gives UCF another veteran for the group, which was one of the defense’s strong suits last season.

DT THOMAS COLLINS

Vitals: 6-1, 275 pounds

Resume: Collins was a 3-star prospect from RIG Academy, a school specializing in American football in Sweden. He signed with Oregon State in 2023.

Role: The redshirt sophomore appeared in 24 games (16 starts) in three seasons for the Beavers, totaling 44 tackles, including 7 for loss, a sack, a pass defended and a fumble recovery.

Outlook: The return of Horace Lockett Jr. and RJ Jackson Jr. gives the Knights a solid foundation at the tackle spot, particularly with the loss of John Walker. Collins provides much-needed depth at the position.

S MATT IRWIN

Vitals: 5-11, 180 pounds

Resume: Irwin played quarterback at Owyee High School in Meridian, ID., before making the switch to safety when he signed at Idaho in 2024.

Role: Irwin appeared in 19 games in two seasons with the Vandals, starting 2 games while totaling 49 tackles, an interception, 3 passes defended and a fumble recovery.

Outlook: The Idaho native becomes the fourth safety to join the roster this transfer cycle.

DL BRUNO DALL

Vitals: 6-7, 260 pounds

Resume: Dall grew up in Hamburg, Germany, before moving to Missouri to play at St. Stanislaus in St. Louis. He recorded 81 tackles, including 16 for a loss and 5 sacks as a senior, while leading the Rock-a-Chaws to a 7-5 record.

Role: Dall signed with Akron as part of their 2023 recruiting class. He appeared in 23 games (11 starts) for the Zips, totaling 53 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss with 5 sacks, an interception, 8 passes defended and a forced fumble.

Outlook: The Knights are looking to replace starters Nyjalik Kelly and Malachi Lawrence on the edge, making the addition of Dall crucial in building the rotation for 2026.

S TY BARTRUM

Vitals: 6-1, 200 pounds

Resume: Bartrum began his high school career at Miegs High in Meigs County, Ohio, before transferring to Cherokee High in Marlton, N.J., where he appeared in 29 games for the Chiefs, totaling 256 tackles with 4 interceptions and 6 passes defended. He finished his prep career at Spring Valley High in West Virginia before signing at Harvard.

Role: Bartrum spent four seasons with the Crimson, appearing in 31 games, while totaling 244 tackles with 8 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions and 13 passes defended. He earned a spot on the first team, All-Ivy League and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Outlook: Bartrum provides another veteran to the safety spot for the Knights.

K WILL STONE

Vitals: 6-0, 195 pounds

Resume: Stone was a 2-star prospect from Regents School in Austin, Texas, where he was the 6th-overall ranked kicker in the nation for the 2022 recruiting class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Role: Stone spent five seasons at Texas, where he was used primarily on kickoffs, averaging 63.2 yards on 300 kicks.

Outlook: The Knights ranked second in the Big 12 last season in kickoffs, thanks to Noe Ruelas. His departure left the team searching for someone to step up in his absence.

P ATTICUS BERTRAMS

Vitals: 6-3, 215 pounds

Resume: Bertrams previously studied at ProKick Australia, the same group that former UCF kicker Mitch McCarthy worked out at, before signing with Wisconsin.

Role: The junior spent three seasons with the Badgers, appearing in 37 games, while averaging 42.8 yards per kick during his career. He was on the Ray Guy Award watchlist at the start of the 2025 season.

Outlook: Bertrams joins a special teams unit that ranked 15th in the Big 12 in punting last season, averaging 40.67 yards per kick.

WR JONATHAN BIBBS

Vitals: 6-2, 170 pounds

Resume: Bibbs was a 3-star product out of Spain Park High School in Birmingham, Ala., who played receiver for the Jaguars. He was ranked the No. 186 overall wide receiver in the 2024 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Role: The Alabama native appeared in four games before redshirting his freshman season at Louisiana-Monroe. Bibbs totaled 383 yards on 26 receptions with 3 touchdowns in 11 games (3 starts) for the Warhawks.

Outlook: Bibbs arrives with multiple years of eligibility, giving the Knights another veteran to pair with a young core of receivers.

QB ALONZA BARNETT III

Vitals: 6-0, 216 pounds

Resume: Barnett was a 3-star prospect from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., when he signed with James Madison as part of its 2022 recruiting class. He was the No. 179 overall quarterback in the class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Role: Barnett recently completed his fourth season with the Dukes, finishing with 5,433 passing yards and 49 touchdowns with 13 interceptions while adding 1,075 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. He was named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year after accounting for 3,395 yards of total offense and 38 total touchdowns. He also earned first-team honors for the first time in his career.

Outlook: He’s a dual-threat option with tremendous speed and a quick-release that gives him the ability to make explosive plays in the passing game. Barnett led James Madison to a 21-6 record while also guiding the team to the College Football Playoff this season.

DB KAHMEL JOHNSON

Vitals: 6-2, 200 pounds

Resume: Johnson was a multi-sport standout at Riverside High School, having played track and field and football for the Generals. He was credited with 14 tackles, 4 passes defended with one interception and one fumble recovery in his senior season, before signing with Wayne State College in 2024.

Role: The Jacksonville native appeared in 13 games in his two seasons with the Wildcats. He totaled 37 tackles and 3 interceptions this season, earning a spot on the first team, All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Outlook: Johnson joins a secondary that is already returning starters Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall.

RB LANDEN CHAMBERS

Vitals: 5-11, 215 pounds

Resume: Chambers was a 3-star prospect out of Fossil Ridge High School in Keller, Texas, when he signed with Central Arkansas as part of its 2024 recruiting class. He was a multi-sport athlete who also competed in track and field.

Role: Chambers appeared in 8 games for the Bears as a freshman, rushing for 176 yards with a touchdown. This past season, he led the team in rushing with 1,313 yards on 242 carries with 10 rushing touchdowns. He was also fourth on the team in receiving with 238 yards on 27 catches.

Outlook: The departures of Myles Montgomery, Jaden Nixon and Stacey Gage left the backfield thin on experience. Chambers gives the Knights a legitimate starter to couple with Taevion Swint and Agyeman Addae.

OL COOPER TERPSTRA

Vitals: 6-4, 313 pounds

Resume: Terpstra signed with Michigan State in 2023 as a 2-star prospect out of West Ottawa High School in Holland, Michigan.

Role: He played sparingly in 2024 and 2025, taking part in nearly 190 offensive snaps, mainly on special teams.

Outlook: New offensive line coach AJ Blazek didn’t stray far from his roots in the Big Ten to find his first offensive lineman. Terpstra brings multiple years of eligibility and can help add depth to the unit.

OL BRADY WAYBURN

Vitals: 6-5, 300 pounds

Resume: Wayburn spent his early years in North Carolina before relocating to Windsor, Connecticut, to attend The Loomis Chaffee School. There, he excelled in multiple sports, particularly in track and field and football.

Role: Wayburn spent the past four seasons at UConn, but didn’t see any real playing time until the 2024 campaign, when he appeared in 8 games. He appeared in 12 games in 2025, starting four games at right guard.

Outlook: Wayburn brings more than 740 offensive snaps to a roster that needs to replace a handful of starters in Paul Rubelt, Jabari Brooks and Carter Miller.

S CALEB FLAGG

Vitals: 5-10, 202 pounds

Resume: Flagg kicked off his career at North Shore High School in Houston before making his mark at Houston Christian, where he earned letters for two years. Over the span of 21 games, he racked up 101 tackles, snatched 2 interceptions, and defended 11 passes. In 2024, he decided to transfer to Missouri to continue his journey.

Role: The junior appeared in 14 games in two seasons with the Tigers, recording 24 tackles with 2 passes defended and a forced fumble.

Outlook: Flagg joins a secondary that already features returning starters Demari Henderson and Braeden Marshall.

OL TYLER GIBSON

Vitals: 6-5, 310 pounds

Resume: Gibson was a 3-star prospect from Johns Creek High School in Alpharetta, Ga., who helped lead the team to more than 4,500 yards his senior season. He signed with Georgia Tech in 2022 and spent two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, appearing in 4 games, before transferring to Charlotte.

Role: The Georgia native appeared in all 16 games for the 49ers, starting five times at the right tackle spot. He took part in 484 offensive snaps during his time in Charlotte.

Outlook: Gibson’s presence helps strengthen the Knights’ offensive line, providing the group with an experienced veteran.

LB TACKETT CURTIS

Vitals: 6-2, 235 pounds

Resume: Curtis was a 4-star prospect out of Many (La.) High School, where he helped guide the Tigers to a state championship, earning MVP honors. He was also named the 2022 MaxPreps Louisiana High School Player of the Year before signing with USC. Curtis spent one season with the Trojans, starting 8 games before transferring to Wisconsin.

Role: The Louisiana native spent two seasons with the Badgers, briefly working with current UCF defensive coordinator Alex Grinch in 2024. The junior appeared in 24 games over two seasons, totaling 56 tackles with 2.5 for a loss, one sack and 3 passes defended.

Outlook: Curtis, who reunites with Grinch, helps fill a significant void for the Knights, who need to replace starters Cole Kozlowski and Keli Lawson.

OL HENRY TABANSI

Vitals: 6-5, 310 pounds

Resume: Tabansi was a three-year starter at Moore Catholic High School on Staten Island, earning an all-state selection before signing with Buffalo in 2023.

Role: The New York native was a two-starter at left tackle for the Bulls, participating in more than 1,600 offensive snaps for a team that totaled 4,330 yards of total offense in 2025.

Outlook: The redshirt sophomore is the latest player to join new offensive line coach AJ Blazek at UCF.

CB JAILEN DUFFIE

Vitals: 5-11, 175 pounds

Resume: Duffie was a 3-star recruit at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Ill., where he earned first-team all-conference honors while playing both cornerback and wide receiver for the Blue Devils. He finished with 47 tackles and 5 interceptions in 20 games before signing with North Dakota State as part of its 2023 recruiting class.

Role: The sophomore appeared in 25 games at NDSU, totaling 42 tackles and 5 passes defended with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Outlook: A three-year starter, Duffie is reunited with new UCF defensive backs coach Will Johnson, who coached him with the Bisons. He’ll step into a cornerbacks group that returns starters Antione Jackson and Jayden Bellamy.

WR JOSH DERRY

Vitals: 5-9, 180 pounds

Resume: Derry was a two-way standout at Concordia Prep School in Towson, Md., where he played wide receiver and defensive back for the Saints. He accounted for 883 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns in 16 varsity games over three seasons before signing with Monmouth University, a Division I school in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Role: Derry spent three seasons with the Hawks, appearing in 30 games, with 12 career starts, while totaling 2,076 receiving yards on 139 catches with 19 touchdowns.

Outlook: The senior gives UCF another experienced receiver to add to a young group that includes Day Day Farmer and Duane Thomas Jr.

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.