UCF position preview: Wide receiver

The third in a position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into fall camp: TODAY: WIDE RECEIVERS What to expect When UCF wide receivers coach Sean Beckton Sr.

took over the unit last season, it was a blank canvas with plenty of potential but lacking any practical experience.

Among the 14 players in the group, only four had ever caught a pass in college.

This time around, Beckton has a group that is anchored by returning starter Duane Thomas Jr.

, who stepped up as a go-to option in the offense last season at wideout, leading the team with 53 catches for 528 receiving yards.

Related Articles UCF position preview: Running back Ex-Kansas football player seeking UCF transfer suing NCAA for eligibility UCFs 2027 recruiting class continues to grow with four more commitments Former UCF coach Shawn Clarks legacy lives on in his wifes mission UCF position preview: Quarterback The emergence of Waden Charles as a true freshman was a pleasant surprise.

His 26 catches and 290 receiving yards tied him for second among freshman receivers in the Big 12.

Transfer Josh Derry quickly caught the attention of his teammates and coaches, who raved about his explosiveness and his work ethic during spring camp.

The 5-foot-9 Derry spent the past four seasons at Monmouth, where he earned All-American status while appearing in 30 games for the Hawks, finishing with 2,076 yards on 139 catches and 19 touchdowns.

Jonathan Bibbs also arrived via the transfer market after playing at Louisiana-Monroe.

There is also a core of returnees led by Day Day Farmer, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in fall camp.

Hes joined by Caleb Rollerson, Jordyn Bridgewater and brothers Carson and Chase Hinshaw.

True freshman Tyren Hornes was a massive recruiting coup for the Knights, with the four-star product already turning heads in spring camp.

Jordan Nunuhua is a midseason addition who could lay the foundation for the units future.

What theyre saying The difference between this year and last year is weve got some guys that were already in the system, and then the new guys we brought in are guys that really fit, who we believe will fit into our system well.

UCF wide receivers coach Sean Beckton Sr.

Returnees Duane Thomas Jr.

Waden Charles Day Day Farmer Jordyn Bridgewater Andrea Parisi Caleb Rollerson Carson Hinshaw Chase Hinshaw Arrivals Josh Derry (Monmouth), senior Jonathan Bibbs (Louisiana-Monroe), redshirt sophomore Tyren Hornes (Booker), freshman Jordan Nunuha (St.

Louis High), freshman Zack Palmer (Boone High), freshman Departures DJ Black (transfer to South Carolina): 22 catches, 273 receiving yards, 2 TDs Chris Domercant (eligibility): 21 catches, 212 receiving yards, 2 TDs Marcus Burke (eligibility): 13 catches, 181 receiving yards Carl Jenkins Jr.

(transfer to Miami of Ohio): 3 catches for 32 yards Bredell Richardson (transfer to Tulane) Dwartney Wortham (transfer to Furman) Projected depth chart WR1 Duane Thomas Jr.

WR2 Waden Charles WR3 Josh Derry WR4 Jonathan Bibbs Previous Position Breakdown Quarterback Running back Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel.

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