The fourth in a position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into fall camp:
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TODAY: TIGHT ENDS
What to expect
New tight ends coach Copper Bassett inherited one of the most productive tight ends in college football last season in Dylan Wade. 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 was the second-most targeted receiver on the team (59) behind wideout Duane Thomas Jr. (72) and his 323 yards after the catch (YAC) were the third-most in the Big 12.
Caden Piening returns after a hamstring injury that limited him throughout most of his freshman season. The 6-5, 245-pound Piening is expected to take on a larger role with the departure of Kylan Fox. Also returning is Thomas Wadsworth (6-3, 245), who has been around the program the longest. The fifth-year senior has assumed a larger leadership role in the group, according to Bassett.
New to the program is Grayson Brousseau, although the redshirt sophomore is familiar with Bassett, having spent time together at Utah State and Oklahoma State. Brousseau has been limited to just 16 games in two seasons, but his familiarity with Bassett could help ease the transition to UCF.
Dylan Burk (6-7, 255) joined the team as a mid-year addition from Sam Houston State, where he appeared in 12 games for the Bearkats.
True freshman Brooks Hall was an early enrollee who arrived in January from Platte County High School and immediately put on 15 to 20 pounds to build up his frame to play at the Division I level.
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What they’re saying
“Something that happens with tight ends is everybody wants dessert first. They want the big catches, the touchdowns and the YAC (yards after catch). All that good stuff. That’s easy to work on yourself. It’s brushing your teeth every day. It’s doing the boring, monotonous things every single day that help you get good in the run game.” — New UCF tight ends coach Cooper Bassett on the importance of blocking.
Returnees
Dylan Wade
Caden Piening
Thomas Wadsworth
Arrivals
Grayson Brousseau (Oklahoma State), redshirt sophomore
Dylan Burk (Sam Houston), sophomore
Brooks Hall (Platte County High), freshman
Departures
Kylan Fox (transfer to Purdue): 16 catches, 137 yards, TD
Max Drag (transfer to South Carolina): 3 catches, 19 yards
Dallan Coleman (eligibility)
Projected depth chart
TE1 — Dylan Wade
TE2 — Caden Piening
TE3 — Thomas Wadsworth
TE4 — Grayson Brousseau
Previous
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
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