UCF quarterback Keyone Jenkins was taken to the locker room after suffering a cramping injury in the third quarter during Saturday’s Big 12 matchup against No. 20 Houston.
UPDATE: Jenkins returned to the game with around nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The UCF quarterback had been dealing with cramping, allowing him to return after being evaluated in the locker room.
Jenkins initially left the field during the game and was taken back to the locker room, creating even more uncertainty at quarterback for the Knights. However, the issue turned out to be cramping, and Jenkins was able to return in the fourth quarter.
Keyone Jenkins 2026 Season
The injury is particularly significant for UCF because Jenkins has been starting in place of Alonza Barnett III, who was already ruled out for Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury.
Jenkins had played extremely well in Barnett’s absence entering Saturday. In UCF’s 21-13 win over TCU last weekend, the senior completed 19 of 20 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. His 95-percent completion rate set a UCF single-game record for a quarterback with at least 15 attempts.
The former FIU quarterback has emerged as an important piece for Scott Frost and the Knights after beginning the season behind Barnett on the depth chart.
Now UCF will be hoping Jenkins’ injury isn’t anything that keeps him sidelined for an extended period.
The Knights entered Saturday’s game at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play after beating TCU in their conference opener. Houston also entered the matchup 3-1 and was ranked No. 20 in the latest AP Top 25.
Who is Kaleb Annett?
Kaleb Annett was next in line for UCF at quarterback. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt sophomore transferred to UCF from Boise State ahead of the 2026 season after spending two years with the Broncos without appearing in a game. A Newport Beach, California, native who played at Corona del Mar High School, Annett impressed Scott Frost during the offseason, with Frost saying in August that he had a “great spring” and a strong fall camp. Annett entered the season as part of a crowded UCF quarterback room that also included Alonza Barnett III, Keyone Jenkins and freshmen Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr. He entered Saturday without a pass attempt this season.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available on Jenkins’ status.
