Emerging from a breakout freshman year, Charles embraces leadership, targets a Big 12 title, and aims for 1% daily improvement for the Knights.
Sophomore wide receiver Waden Charles is one of the most intriguing returners for the Knights, gearing up for a big second season.
As a true freshman, Charles hauled in 26 receptions for 290 yards, while showing he can be a major contributor for seasons to come.
On Saturday, following Spring practice, Charles told media how he is embracing a leadership role.
"Probably from the end of last season, people started looking at me as more of a leader because of the role I was taking as a young guy and just the trust that my team had in me coming into this year, I knew that I had to step up and just make them plays that they want me to make and just lead by example as well," Charles said.
Charles' return to UCF had become less likely after posting a cryptic emoji via X. However, in early December, Charles made his official decision, writing "Unfinished business!! Let’s run it back Knight Nation…"
He outlined his offseason process and why he ultimately decided to return on Saturday.
"The process was just seeing what we had from last year and building up into this year," Charles said. "I knew what we had coming back and I knew what we was going to have coming in and what we needed to bring in. So just seeing where this program is going, see the trajectory of this program. we're going up."
Charles proved as a consistent plug-and-play option for UCF, filling in nicely when his name was called. But, he truly began to make an impact late in the season. On senior night, Charles posted a career-high six receptions for 78 yards.
In the following week against BYU, Charles had 50 yards on four catches. Throughout the season, he averaged 11.2 yards per reception, a promising sign for such a young talent.
Charles said he is focused on getting "1% better" everyday, while adding that his main goals are more team-based.
"Just win. That's it. Team goal that we got right now is a Big 12 championship," Charles said. "That's really it right now. I don't really got no personal goals. I just want to maximize my abilities every day and be 1% better every day."
Charles is a huge retention for head coach Scott Frost, who will now enter the season with a standout young receiver in Charles while retaining other skill position talent like tight end Dylan Wade and Duane "Speedy" Thomas Jr.
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