Ahead of the 2026 football season, UCF's running backs are collectively one of the team's more fascinating selling points. A mix of experience and youth, speed and strength, the Knights have a group that can build on the 158 rushing yards per game (11th in the Big 12) that they turned in last season.
Below, you'll find a rundown of the names in UCF's running back room this season with insights from the Knights247 Staff as well as UCF running backs coach Jimmy Beal, who offered his insights as the Knights wrap spring practice.
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Landen Chambers - Redshirt Junior - 5'11" 215 pounds
(Photo: Knights247/Nate Hill, 247Sports)
Central Arkansas transfer. Rushed for 1,273 yards and 10 touchdowns on 242 carries last season for the Bears. Has the size to be very useful for UCF in short-yardage situations.
Beal: "You need a fourth-and-one, third-and-two, he's going to get it for you. And I think that's one cool thing for him is having that size and that power to be able to bring to any situation we need."
Duke Watson - Junior - 5'11" 180 pounds
(Photo: Knights247/Nate Hill, 247Sports)
Louisville transfer who had the highest per-carry average in the nation in 2024 at 8.9. Watson is a former four-star recruit who adds another veteran presence and great vision to the backfield.
Beal: "Yeah, Duke Watson's a slasher, man. He's so explosive and dynamic with the ball in his hand, you know what I mean? He's able to see it. Being an older guy, he's able to see a little bit and find some of those seams that we've had success at with our wide zone and some of the other runs that we've been doing."
Agyeman Addae - Sophomore - 5'10" 190 pounds
(Photo: Knights247/Nate Hill, 247Sports)
After appearing in eight games as a walk-on true freshman, the Miami native has earned universal praise from those within the program. Addae proved to be an effective weapon in the passing game, both as a receiver and a passer.
Beal: "I can't say enough things about him, man. He's a special kid, you know what I mean? As far as his ability to understand the game and then play multiple positions and now take over the role as a leader, you know what I mean? Because he knows how I did everything last year. He knows the system and he's just bringing everybody in and it's kind of like, hey dude, you got this."
Taevion Swint - Redshirt Freshman - 5'10" 185 pounds
(Photo: Knights247/Nate Hill, 247Sports)
While there were somewhat high expectations for Swint ahead of his true freshman season last year, a preseason injury kept him off of the field. All indications are that "Chick" will get his shot to be a big piece of the puzzle for the Knights this year.
Beal: "He looks special, you know what I mean? He's why he's supposed to be here, you know what I mean? You're going to see something kind of cool from him that's just he's got a hunger for the game, a love, passion, you know what I mean? And he's just having so much fun out there just playing."
Chance Nixon - Redshirt Freshman - 5'9" 179 pounds
Did not play in 2025. Had five 100-yard rushing games at Oviedo High School in 2024.
Kaj Baker - Freshman - 5'8" 160 pounds
Knights head coach Scott Frost praised Baker's speed as "elite"after Early Signing Day. Baker was a 1,000-yard rusher in his senior season at Somerset Academy Charter, also adding 500 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Beal: "Kaj, he's probably one of the fastest guys in the room, you know what I mean? I mean, you can ask him that, but you know, I don't know. I don't want to start a battle, but no, he's super fast, elusive, and he's showing a lot of explosive runs that, you know, we get him the ball in space, he's he's going to find it. And even he's not afraid. He will run through the tackles and do what he has to."
Arthur Lewis IV - Freshman - 5'10" 180 pounds
Frost referred to Lewis as a back who flew under the radar as a recruit, but has tremendous upside as an all-around back.
"I'm a playmaker, I can play anything," Lewis told Knights247 last summer. "I say my style is kind of like a balance. I can run and catch. I can run through you, around you, whatever.
Beal: "He's just so tough, and he's strong. He's probably now, even as a freshman, almost in the top front on the team. So, it's pretty cool to see his ability kind of out there and and just how fast and slashing and kind of his ability that's going to be able to come."
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