TCU and UCF are heading in opposite directions on the injury front ahead of their Big 12 opener this weekend in Orlando.
The Horned Frogs are expected to get star wide receiver Jordan Dwyer back for his 2026 debut, while UCF will once again be without starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said following the Horned Frogs’ win over Arkansas State that he expects Dwyer to return against UCF. Dwyer has missed the first three games of the season while recovering from a foot injury.
His return would provide another major weapon for a TCU offense that has managed to start the season 3-0 without one of its top returning playmakers.
Dwyer was one of the Big 12’s most productive receivers in 2025, finishing the season with 54 receptions for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. His seven receiving touchdowns led TCU, while he finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards.
Dwyer should now rejoin a receiving corps that has been led by Ed Small during his absence. Small erupted for 164 receiving yards in TCU’s latest victory, while the Horned Frogs threw for 337 yards as a team.
UCF Will Be Without Alonza Barnett
While TCU is getting healthier, UCF will be without the quarterback it brought in this offseason to lead Scott Frost’s offense.
Barnett will miss Saturday’s game against TCU due to a hamstring injury and is also expected to miss UCF’s following game against Houston, according to CBS Sports. There is optimism that Barnett could return sometime in the following weeks.
Barnett transferred to UCF after a breakout season at James Madison, where he earned Sun Belt Player of the Year honors. His injury leaves the Knights without one of their biggest offseason additions as they begin Big 12 play.
UCF is expected to turn to Keyone Jenkins at quarterback in Barnett’s absence. Jenkins arrived at UCF after previously playing at FIU.
The timing couldn’t be much different for the two programs.
TCU enters conference play undefeated and is preparing to add a receiver who accounted for more than 700 yards and seven touchdowns last season. UCF, meanwhile, will begin its Big 12 schedule without its starting quarterback.
That creates an intriguing personnel swing heading into Saturday’s matchup in Orlando.
