When McKenzie Milton was playing at UCF, his athleticism and decision-making left no doubt who the starting quarterback was. But now in his first year as the Knights quarterback coach, Milton will have to make his toughest decision yet - choosing a starter for Week 1 against Jacksonville State.
The quarterback battle is a three-way race between returning part-time starter Jacurri Brown, former blue-chip prospect Tayven Jackson (Indiana transfer) and Cam Fancher, who has nearly three years of starting experience between Marshall and FAU.
Let's check in on the Quarterbacks during Day 1 of @UCF_Football Preseason Practice. #UCF pic.twitter.com/x1kIHuNaqS
— Sons of UCF (@SonsofUCF) July 28, 2025
"Our guys have put in a lot of work and I do feel like they're prepared to go earn a job," Milton said during his first interview with the local media. "I don't know who that's going to be,..I wouldn't feel confident in one of these guys to go help us win if we hadn't put in a lot of work this offseason. But these guys, they busted their butts in the weight room, the film room and I feel like whoever ends up winning the job is going to give us a chance to go have success."
All three QBs have starting experience. Brown started three games at Miami and two games last season with the Knights. He threw for 398 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions in nine appearances. His best passing game was when he went 13-of-20 for 207 yards and a touchdown in a 19-13 loss to Cincinnati.
Brown is a superb runner. He rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown in a 38-35 loss to Iowa State last season and finished with 401 yards and four touchdowns on 53 carries.
Jackson is a former four-star prospect in the class of 2022. He committed to Tennessee out of high school and transferred to Indiana a year later. Over two seasons with the Hoosiers, Jackson threw for 1,260 yards and six touchdowns with six interceptions.
Fancher has 26 starts under his belt between Marshall and FAU. He has thrown for 5,294 yards, 27 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in his career. Fancher is a capable runner as well, with 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns in three seasons.
In a perfect world, Milton would like to name a starter before the opener, but this competition could last a few weeks into the season.
"Honestly, I'd like to know by game one who our starter is going to be," Milton said. "Everyone has a different skill set and I feel like you really don't know what you've got until the lights are really on."