UCF Knights quarterback Alonza Barnett III is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday.
Barnett was injured on the final drive of the Knight's 12-7 loss at Pitt on Saturday. A timeline for his return is uncertain, sources told Thamel.
Barnett, a transfer from James Madison who led the Dukes to a Sun Belt title and the first round of the College Football Playoff in 2025, threw for 186 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-31 passing against the Panthers in his second game as UCF's starter.
"We brought him here for a reason," UCF coach Scott Frost said. "We believe in him. It's sad to see something like this happen."
Keyone Jenkins replaced Barnett at the end of the loss and becomes UCF's expected starter. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior was a three-year starter at Florida International before transferring to join the Knight.
The Knights dealt with injuries at quarterback frequently in 2025, with five different passers earning snaps in coach Scott Frost's first year back leading the program. They rebuilt their QB room in the offseason with Barnett, Jenkins and Boise State transfer Kaleb Annett and signed freshman Rocco Marriott, an SC Next 300 prospect.
UCF (1-1) closes out its nonconference schedule against Georgia State on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+) before opening Big 12 play at home against TCU.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.