Alonza Barnett ready to be UCF’s point guard, playmaker

UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III joined Big 12 Today with Ari Temkin and Taylor McHargue during Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. Barnett discussed his early impressions of UCF after transferring from James Madison, why the Knights felt like the right fit, his health entering preseason camp, how he worked to learn Scott Frost’s offense without participating in spring practice and the path that brought him from James Madison to Orlando. Here’s everything he had to say: What have your impressions been of UCF since coming over from James Madison? “I think it really mirrors James Madison a lot with the family-type atmosphere, the expectation of winning and how people really care about the person to the left and to the right of them. That’s what I was looking for in whatever university I selected.” With the season you had last year, I’m assuming you were very sought after in the portal. What made UCF the right fit for you? “First off, I enjoyed my time at James Madison. So with the next school and next program I selected, I was going to look for what made me feel the same way. How could I have that same sentiment at a new school? “Like I just said, the family atmosphere at Central Florida, I felt that immediately. There are coaches on the staff who have their sons in the building working as well. Then on top of that, the staff has their children and families around, so I felt that same type of family atmosphere. “That’s just speaking off the field. On the field, I think Coach Frost and his pedigree with quarterbacks speaks for itself. My quarterback coach, Coach McKenzie Milton, played the game at a high level at the same university, so that’s a big help, knowing the ins and outs of the university and what it means to be a quarterback there. “And Coach Cooper, and how he’s kind of a mastermind in a sense with the operations and play-calling, was really attractive to me.” Health-wise, how are you doing? “I’m doing well. I’m full go.” You’re working out with your guys and really getting that chemistry. Obviously, not participating in spring sounded like it was more precautionary. Does that hurt you when trying to learn this offense? How did you try to get up to speed without having spring ball? “I just operated like I was practicing every single day — learning the install, watching film. You just up your preparation in a different way. “Rather than being able to prepare physically, now it’s just mentally preparing, drawing plays and things like that. I was able to get acclimated, and I feel like I have a mastery of this offense.” How would you describe your game for fans in Big 12 country who maybe haven’t seen you play? “I try to be a point guard, make everybody’s job easier and overly communicate with the guys around me. “I also would say I’m a playmaker in the pocket and outside of the pocket. I believe I can do it. I know I can do it with my arm, my feet and just making the right plays consistently.” Why did you go to JMU initially? Talk us through your career there, what stood out and what you remember from it. “Looking back on my career and my time at JMU, I’m nothing but grateful. I was able to learn and grow a lot, not only on the field, but off the field as well. “Starting off, I was a three-star out of high school and didn’t have too many crazy offers. I had similar offers from Old Dominion and Charlotte, but JMU had a winning culture. I knew they were moving up to the FBS in the Sun Belt with Coach Cignetti. “Coach Tino (Sunseri) and Coach (Mike) Shanahan really believed in me and gave me an opportunity and a shot. “My true freshman year, I redshirted and was on scout team. Everybody does that. My redshirt freshman year, I got benched after the first half against Bucknell, so I sat and watched the rest of that season. “Then Coach Chesney and his staff came in, and it was a fresh start for me. From there, I was able to win the starting job. It actually started off the exact same against Charlotte as Bucknell, but Coach Chesney and that staff stuck with me and believed in me. “I got through that season, tore my ACL, came back this past season and it was a great season for me and the guys to be able to make that College Football Playoff run. “That’s just a short summary of what I’ve been through.”