Why UCF football held Alonza Barnett out of spring: 'Protect our investment'

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 21: Alonza Barnett III #14 celebrates with Tanner Morris #58 of the James Madison Dukes after throwing for a touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Barnett, in his first media availability since enrolling in January, said he has been able to throw, run and lift weights despite missing practice time. He did not provide specifics on the injury but said he did not undergo any sort of procedure in the offseason.

"I'll be back for the summer," Barnett said. "It was just something we were taking a day at a time, and it just got to a point where it was a 'for what, for why.'"

The 2025 Sun Belt Conference's Player of the Year, Barnett helped James Madison reach the College Football Playoff for the first time. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound North Carolina native completed 58% of his passes last season.

Over the last two seasons, Barnett has thrown for 5,404 yards with 49 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has added 1,031 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. James Madison went 21-6 during that time.

Milton equated Barnett's absence to that of former Miami quarterback Carson Beck, who underwent surgery for a torn UCL after transferring from Georgia and sat out spring camp. Beck helped the Hurricanes go all the way to the national championship game, a loss to Indiana at hometown Hard Rock Stadium, and was drafted last weekend in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals.

"I wouldn't say we didn't have (Barnett)," Milton said. "He's at meetings every day. We're getting some extra throwing sessions on the side. He's present every day, and his presence is felt. I don't think it affects you much just because we're installing every day. It would be the same approach whether he's taking the live snaps or not. … He's fully immersed in what we're doing."

UCF will open its fall training camp around the start of August and kick off its regular season inside the remodeled Acrisure Bounce House against Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 3.

"The past is the past. I like to see each year as a clean slate," Barnett said. "We have our eyes set, obviously, on the Big 12 championship, a Playoff appearance. But last year doesn't really have an effect on this year. I'm unproven, still have to go out there and do it again. That's the mentality that I know not only myself but our whole team is taking."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football QB Alonza Barnett plans to be ready for summer