Veteran receiver Duane Thomas Jr. embraces vocal leadership, mentoring young Knights and refining his game to ignite UCF's passing attack.
Duane Thomas Jr. is finishing his collegiate career with the UCF Knights, and during spring practice, he is making a concerted effort to step up as a leader for coach Scott Frost.
"I have to step into a leadership role as a senior," Thomas Jr. said after UCF's first spring practice. "I used to be a guy who used to stand back and just let everybody do them, but now I got to be a lot more vocal."
The 5-foot-8 wide receiver is mentoring his younger teammates, teaching them Frost's scheme and playing a significant role in developing their talents. Thomas Jr. led the UCF receiving core with 528 yards last season, despite recording no touchdowns.
He had four or more receptions in nine games, including five games with at least five catches.
He totaled 45 rushing yards as well — the most for a non-quarterback or running back — showcasing the versatility Frost utilized throughout last season. Although Thomas Jr. led his position group with the most yards, he is razor-focused on improving his route-running technique.
"Last year, I rushed a lot of routes," Thomas Jr said. "I was kind of an underneath guy, but I think right now I'm working on just being a lot more detailed. Secondary releases, getting over the top [and] reading defenses."
Improvement from Thomas Jr. provides new starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III with a go-to receiver when UCF needs to extend its drive and reset downs.
The deep passing game could also see a volume increase with Thomas Jr's ascension. UCF struggled in that aspect of the passing game all last year. He had a 41-yard reception in the clutch against the North Carolina A&T Aggies on fourth-and-4 that landed him short of the end zone last season.
Thomas Jr. and the Knights squad are eager to win the Big 12, and the journey starts in the spring when the pads are on and the team is running drills. UCF's leading receiver is stepping up into a leadership role to guide his young teammates and get better each day.
"We're going to keep building each other, learning from each other and we're just going to keep improving," Thomas Jr. said. "That's how you get better. That's how you win."
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