Breaking program records, Dylan Wade redefined the tight end role for UCF. His explosive plays and reliable connection with the quarterback made history.
Junior tight end Dylan Wade was a big-play threat for the Knights all season long. Wade brought in 43 receptions for 523 yards and five touchdowns, both program records at the tight end position.
Wade was a reliable target for starting quarterback Tayven Jackson, who praised Wade in a press conference in late November.
"He's an athletic tight end. He reads the defense well and he plays in space and he plays the grass. He's not a receiver who will run the route like our install picture tells him too," Jackson said. "He'll just run to space and I feel I have a connection with him and I know what he is going to do and he gets the job done."
Wade singlehandedly sparked the struggling UCF offense on senior night against Oklahoma State, hauling in two second half touchdowns, including an 83-yard bomb on the first play of the second half.
Wade finished senior night with four catches for 145 yards.
He also found the end zone against both Texas Tech and BYU, proving himself against top-tier Big 12 talent. Wade's impressive season earned him an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
With the recent news of fellow tight end Kylan Fox entering the portal, Wade now becomes the premier player within that group.
Incoming freshman tight end Brooks Hall recently flipped his commitment from South Dakota to follow his high school quarterback Rocco Marriott. Both he and Marriott will likely rely on Wade to help them get up to speed and develop within head coach Scott Frost's offense.
Having Wade next year will be a good safety blanket for whoever is starting at quarterback for the Knights.