UCF’s WR Depth Takes a Hit Ahead of Arizona State Game

The UCF Knights will be without one of their top wide receivers in Saturday's home game against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Waden Charles joins six other Knights ruled out, headlined by running back Duke Watson and defensive back Demari Henderson. UCF's initial injury report listed him as doubtful with an undisclosed injury.

Charles is having a breakout sophomore season. He's entered the year as a top-2 target for quarterbacks Alonza Barnett III and Keyone Jenkins, making big plays in crucial moments.

The sophomore is tied with Tyren Hornes for the second-most receptions (25), trails the freshman in yards (285) and has the third-most touchdowns (2). Barnett and Jenkins fed him his two scores in back-to-back games against the Pittsburgh Panthers in Week 2 and the Georgia State Panthers in Week 3.

Charles' size, speed and route running make him a reliable target in the intermediate passing game. His quick release at the line of scrimmage helps create space, giving him a few extra steps on the defensive back.

He's gotten wide open several times for 20-plus-yard receptions in conference play. The Knights will miss that combination of size and skill against the sixth-best passing defense.

Arizona State allows 219.6 yards per game, with defensive back Lyrik Rawls leading with one interception and seven passes defended.

UCF will rely on Josh Derry and Tyren Hornes to step up in Charles absence.

Derry leads the receiving corps with 45 receptions, 571 yards and four touchdowns. His electric speed and playmaking earned him the moniker "Scary Derry" at his previous school, Monmouth.

He can take the top off the defense in the deep passing game or make defenders miss in the open field with sharp juke moves. The senior caught a 44-yard bomb from Barnett in last Saturday's thriller road win over the Kansas Jayhawks.

Like Charles, Hornes is having a breakout freshman season. He slowly climbed the depth chart in the early weeks before a career-high performance against the then-No. 2 BYU Cougars.

Hornes finished with 137 yards on six catches and converted crucial first downs to keep UCF's drives alive.

Coach Scott Frost and offensive coordinator Steve Cooper called a designed wide receiver screen on third-and-18 in the third quarter for the freshman. He broke several tackles and sprinted down the sideline for 56 yards, placing the team in scoring position again.

He made a clutch play in double overtime after the quarterback threw his third touchdown. Hornes dove into the end zone to catch the two-point conversion, upsetting the Cougars.

Losing Charles is a huge blow to the Knights' receiving corps. Their depth is enough to mask his absence, credited to a senior leader and a budding freshman.