UCF's Dylan Wade Graded a Top-10 Returning Big 12 Tight End

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Last season, UCF tight end Dylan Wade had one of the most dynamic seasons from a TE in program history.

The 6-foot-2 pass catcher broke multiple UCF records for his position, notching 43 receptions for 523 yards and five touchdowns.

On Saturday, Pro Football Focus College graded the returning tight ends within the Big 12, with Wade ranking No. 8 (68.5).

This does seem a bit low for the standout tight end, but the Big 12 is littered with talent at the position, including Texas Tech's Terrance Carter Jr., who could make a case for being the best tight end in the country.

Wade broke onto the scene in his first year in Orlando with a touchdown in UCF's season-opening victory over Jacksonville State, adding four catches for 54 yards.

With presumed starting quarterback Cam Fancher injured early in the first quarter, UCF's offense sputtered, as the two teams went into halftime tied 0-0.

Jacksonville State found the end zone first, going up 10-3 on the Knights early in the fourth quarter.

But, backup QB Tayven Jackson responded with a 39-yard strike to Wade, evening the score at ten.

This was Wade's only catch of the second half, but gave life into UCF's offense and allowed the Knights to gain some confidence.

Later in the season, 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.

The now-senior's ability to stretch the field vertically and find space within zones was crucial for a struggling Knights offense.

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.

Following the season, Jackson talked about what Wade brought to the offense all season long.

"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."

With UCF's secondary tight end Kylan Fox entering the portal, Wade now becomes the premier player within that position 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 should rely on Wade to help them get up to speed and develop within head coach Scott Frost's offense.

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