WR Josh Derry Doing the Little Things To Help UCF Win
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"Getting the ball or just blocking on the perimeter and just whatever, do whatever I can to get in the end zone," Derry said during Monday's media availability.
Josh Derry hasn't broken out as the UCF Knights' No. 1 wide receiver, but he takes pride in doing the little things that help the team win.
Derry leads the wide receiver corps with 119 yards, but Waden Charles tops it with two touchdowns. They both have 10 receptions, and Ric'Darious "Day Day" Farmer trails with eight.
UCF coach Scott Frost and offensive coordinator Steve Cooper's play calling encourages the quarterbacks to share the wealth, finding different targets each down.
College football analysts expected a breakout year for Derry after transferring from Monmouth. He dominated the FCS as a junior, hauling 73 catches for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
Pro Football Focus graded him as the best returning wide receiver in the Big 12. Derry received an 89.9 rating, edging out Texas Tech's Jalen Jones (89.6) and Oklahoma State's Wyatt Young (89).
Young currently looks best of the trio, outscoring the others with 410 yards and three touchdowns, thanks to new Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
Derry and Young will duke it out next Saturday. UCF will try to pull off an upset during a tough stretch as they face three ranked teams over the next three weeks.
The senior may not have the most outstanding stats, but his effort stands out on the field, and the box score can't record that. He's a willing blocker, fighting to open extra space for his running backs or quarterback on the run.
UCF's top wide receiver transfer said he wants to do whatever it takes to help the team win, go 1-0 every week, and they've done that three times this season.
"I know most people don't want to see a receiver blocking, but you've got to understand that basically all the big runs that happen usually happen from receivers blocking downfield in the perimeter," Derry said during Monday's media availability.
Running back Duke Watson had two 60-plus-yard runs in non-conference play against Bethune-Cookman in Week 1 and Georgia State in Week 3. The run game is UCF's bread and butter, and Derry is playing a significant role in its success.
Winning on the margins separates good teams from great, and in the Big 12, the Knights need those small wins.
Derry still has time to stand out as the No. 1 receiver in Big 12 play, as he gives UCF its first proven 1,000-yard receiver since Javon Baker in 2023.
He's a dynamic deep threat with his breakaway speed. The senior earned the moniker "Scary Derry" for his ability to burn defenses on deep routes or pick up significant yards after the catch.
His commitment to excelling at the little things despite not being the clear No. 1 option is a telltale sign that the team aims to break a two-year bowl drought.
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