Orlando's Dylan Wade proud of success at TE in first year with UCF

For UCF's Dylan Wade, finishing last season as one of the top tight ends in the Big 12 was, in many ways, a dream come true. It was an accomplishment that was made even more special because he did it for his hometown team.

"The highlight of last year was the opportunity to be able to come back and do it in my hometown," said Wade, who attended Orlando's Jones High School.

It was a record-setting season for the 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior, who finished as the Knights' second-leading receiver with 523 yards on 43 catches with a team-high five touchdowns - all of which were program-best numbers for a tight end.

He also had the fifth-most targets among tight ends in the conference, just behind players such as Houston's Tanner Koziol, Baylor's Michael Trigg and Utah's Dallen Bentley, all of whom were selected in the 2026 NFL draft.

Wade became one of the priorities for UCF's coaching staff and it wasn't long before the senior-to-be re-signed with the Knights.

"It feels amazing to be able to come back and be able to do the right things around the program, to lead these guys and to show them how it’s supposed to be done," said Wade.

"I’ve got one of the most accomplished tight ends coming back in Dylan Wade with the amount of targets, yards and catches he had last season," added new tight ends coach Cooper Bassett.

Wade, who earned honorable mention on the All-Big 12 team, doesn't believe there is pressure on him to follow up his performance from last season.

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"It's definitely more of a privilege than pressure," he said. "I’m still the same person, the same guy. So no pressure, it's a privilege."

Wade wrapped up his first season with the Knights after two seasons at Maryland, where he appeared in 23 games while totaling 395 yards on 33 catches with four touchdowns for the Terrapins.

He was the top-graded receiver on the UCF roster, according to Pro Football Focus, ahead of wideouts Duane Thomas Jr. and Chris Domercant. Wade’s versatility was a big factor in his successful season, as he played primarily on the line of scrimmage or at the slot receiver position.

His 323 yards after catch were the second-most on the team behind Thomas.

Still, there are areas that Bassett believes his talented tight end can improve on.

"The next element in his game is to be proficient in our F position, which is our slot receiver or our lighter tight end (spot), where we go our 12 personnel (two tight ends)," said Bassett. "He's not as big as your prototypical tight end, but he's violent and aggressive."

"Wherever the coaches line me up, I can go do it," Wade said of his role in the offense.

Where Wade is perhaps at his best is his role as a leader among his teammates, including those in the tight ends group. The unit returns several players, including fellow senior Thomas Wadsworth and redshirt freshman Caden Piening.

Piening, who was limited in his first season with the Knights, has nothing but appreciation for his mentor.

"Wade pushes me every day to be better," said Piening. "He's been that kind of mentor who has taken me under his wing and shown me the ropes."

"We were really tight last year, so I feel there’s no drop off," Wade said. "Whatever I can do to help the team. The guys around me this year, I’m pretty sure, would be able to take on a lot. We have a good team."

It's that unselfishness that has impressed Bassett during spring camp.

"What's stood out for me with Dylan is his genuine love for his teammates," Bassett said. "That's showing up with how he's blocking on the field and how he finishes plays."

Expectations will be high heading into this season, but that doesn't seem to bother Wade.

"I can’t wait. There are a lot of eyes on me. There were a lot of eyes on me last year, coming back home. So people already knew, like what to expect. So it’s kind of the same thing, just a bigger support system behind me," he said.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel's Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 3:44 PM.