UCF naming Florida Atlantic transfer Cam Fancher starting quarterback

The UCF Knights have had one of the tightest quarterback battles in the Big 12 this offseason, with three quarterbacks looking to lead them. Now, per On3’s Pete Nakos, UCF is set to name FAU transfer Cam Fancher as the team’s starting quarterback.

Fancher was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2021. He was the 1,616th-ranked player nationally and the 108th-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle. Initially, he’d attend Marshall, where he’d spend three seasons before transferring to FAU for the 2024 season.

While at FAU in 2024, Fancher played in nine games. During that time, he completed 59.4% of his passes for 1,528 yards and six touchdowns to six interceptions. He also rushed for 365 yards and another three touchdowns. However, head coach Tom Herman would be fired just partway through his second season there, prompting the transfer for his redshirt senior season.

UCF did have multiple interesting options at quarterback. The Knights returned Jacurri Brown from last year’s squad, who showed an ability to run the ball from the quarterback position but struggled to consistently throw the ball. Formerly at Miami, he still does seem to have potential worth buying into. Then, there was Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson. With experience playing at the Power Four level, he had flashed at times but primarily acted as the Hoosiers’ backup, and transferred to UCF seemingly as the favorite to win the job when he first got to campus.

Fancher has been confident throughout Fall Camp, though. He knows he brings both versatility and consistency. That should make him a capable option as the team’s starting quarterback.

“I feel like not only can I sit in the pocket and deliver, but I can also create outside the pocket,” Fancher said. “And I’m the type of quarterback to take what’s there. If it’s the first read, I’ll take it. If it’s the deep shot, I’ll take that. And if it’s the check down, I’ll take that too. If I need to extend, I can extend… That’s really what it takes to be a starting quarterback. Consistency in your approach, consistency in your play. That’s what separates you, doing it every play, play in and play out.”

This offseason, Scott Frost returned to UCF to coach the Knights for his second stint. In his first run, he spent two seasons in Orlando, inheriting a team that went winless the year before he got there. By his second season, UCF had gone unbeaten, won the Peach Bowl, and claimed a national championship.

Interestingly, Frost brought McKenzie Milton back to UCF this offseason. Now the Knights’ quarterbacks coach, he was a legend as a player at UCF, both for Frost and later Josh Heupel, twice being named AAC Offensive Player of the Year. He began coaching after a knee injury shortened his playing career.

For the time being, Frost and Milton will be putting their faith in Fancher to run the UCF offense. That begins on Thursday, August 28th, when the Knights welcome Jacksonville State to the Bounce House.