ORLANDO — Scott Frost declared competition open at all spots this spring, not a particular surprise given the dramatic overhaul of UCF’s football roster under an almost entirely new coaching staff. In the opening week of practices, acclimatization to increased tempo and teaching fundamentals are the focus.
Even taking those clichéd caveats into account, the Knights possess a potentially tantalizing tandem of tight ends that could blossom into key targets for whoever wins the quarterback battle by August — blue-chip sophomore Kylan Fox and Maryland transfer Dylan Wade.
Fox, UCF’s second-highest consensus signee for its largely star-studded 2024 recruiting class, logged just 29 offensive snaps last fall, according to Pro Football Focus. Yet, he is tied with running back Myles Montgomery as the team’s leading returner in receptions — with three.
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The 6-foot-4, 237-pound Fox — a native of Valdosta, Georgia — switched jersey numbers this spring, from 6 to 1. He envisions the No. 1 jersey as a symbol of leadership, a role which he wants to fill among all of the turnover.
“I want to do whatever I can to help my team win,” Fox said. “Showing the young guys how things go, our young tight ends, and keep showing them how to do and to lead by example on the field.”
Wade, who attended Jones High on the outskirts of Downtown Orlando, returns home after a successful two-year stint at Maryland. Checking in at a near-identical 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds, Wade set career highs as a sophomore with 29 receptions, 374 yards and two touchdowns.
When he entered the transfer portal and received a call from UCF, Wade was excited about the chance to play closer to family and eager to do his research about the on-field fit. Pro development appealed in particular to Wade; three tight ends who played for Frost — Johnny Mundt at Oregon, Jordan Akins at UCF and Jack Stoll at Nebraska — are currently on NFL rosters.
“It was really a no-brainer. I liked what I saw on paper,” said Wade, who did not claim a UCF offer out of high school. “And when I took my visit here, I liked what (Frost) was offering.
“He told me he likes to keep things in the area, and he likes hometown guys. And I knew his competitive mindset, when he was talking to me, matched mine. I couldn’t show him at the time, but I think we clicked pretty good from the start.”
UCF offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Steve Cooper highly values versatility at the position. Blocking could ultimately determine how much Wade, Fox, Florida Atlantic transfer Elijah Brown, redshirt sophomore Grant Stevens or others get on the field, and how much the Knights incorporate 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends).
“That’s a big emphasis that we put into our individual time right now, the technique of blocking the person in front of you,” Cooper said. “(Friday) was the first day in pads, so I’m excited to look at the tape and see what that looks like.
“The most important thing to me in relationship to balance is going to be getting the right players the ball enough, spreading the ball around. If we ended up being a more 11 personnel team than 12, great. But, ideally, when you’re at your best is when you can mix and match — not just personnel but formations, schematic concepts, run-to-pass. You want to be balanced in all those areas.”
UCF’s most used tight ends from the 2024 season are no longer with the program. Randy Pittman, who started all 12 games, followed former Knights head coach Gus Malzahn to Florida State, and Evan Morris is out of eligibility. Morris also handled some of the Knights’ kickoff duties and made two tackles.
Wade believes he and Fox could become integral pieces to an “explosive” Knights offense next season.
“A lot of big plays in the run game and pass game. We’ve got guys everywhere who can do a lot of different things,” he added. “It’s special.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football: Kylan Fox, Dylan Wade competing at tight end
