A historic season propelled Dylan Wade into college football's elite tight end ranks. He's a dynamic, record-breaking weapon ready to lead UCF.
Dylan Wade etched his name into the UCF record book with a historic season last year, and his performance earned him recognition as one of the top returning tight ends in college football.
Matt De Lima, a Sports Illustrated writer, published a story ranking the top returning tight ends for the upcoming season. Wade made an appearance as the sixth-ranked and third Big 12 tight end.
"Wade has become a household name in the Big 12 after transferring from Maryland and immediately leading his team in receiving touchdowns," De Lima wrote. "He is a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands, highlighted by an 83-yard touchdown reception against Oklahoma State last fall that remains tied for the sixth-longest in UCF history."
The 6-foot-2 Orlando native totaled 43 receptions for 523 yards and five touchdowns last season. Wade's stats became the new all-time single-season record for a UCF tight end since 1996.
His best performance came against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Senior Knight on Nov. 22, 2025. Wade caught four receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Coach Scott Frost spoke highly of his tight end's performance, crediting him for providing the team with energy.
"He's become one of our best weapons, and he certainly can keep improving, and I know he knows that," Frost said. "The plays he made out there really gave us seven and set us up for the winning one."
Wade returns to UCF for his final year of college football and will lead the tight ends room once more. Although there is a new starting quarterback for the Knights in Alonza Barnett III, Wade is a steady and reliable presence.
Wade said he doesn't feel special leading the team in receiving yards or recording a historic season. To him, it's "just playing football."
Frost's most reliable receiver will play a significant role in helping UCF aim for bowl contention next season, as the Knights missed a bowl game in two consecutive seasons.
Wade is certainly a player to keep an eye on during spring camp as the time flies by and the team prepares for Opening Knight against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Sep. 3 at the Acrisure Bounce House.