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UCF's wide receiver room expects significant growth next season as Alonza Barnett III steps into the starting quarterback role. Waden Charles, assumedly one of Barnett's primary targets, aims to build on an impressive freshman season. After flashing potential as a top priority in the rotation, Charles enters the year as one of the Knights' most reliable targets with big-play capability. Charles appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman, earning six starts, including the final five matchups of the season. He recorded 26 receptions for 290 yards and added one rush for 2 yards. His season highlight came Nov. 22 against Oklahoma State, where he hauled in a career-high six catches for 76 yards. Following spring camp media availability, Charles discussed his development and the offense's trajectory. (Photo: Nate Hill/Staff , 247Sports)   On transitioning into a leadership role as a sophomore: "It feels a little different, but probably from the end of last season people started looking at me as more of a leader because of the role I was taking as a young guy. Just the trust that my team had in me coming into this year, I knew that I had to step up, make the plays they want me to make, and lead by example. I've got to show the young guys and the older guys beside me the right way to do it." On personal and team goals for the upcoming season: "Just win. That's it. The team goal we have right now is a Big 12 championship. I don't really have personal goals; I just want to maximize my abilities every day and be 1% better every day." On developing maturity and avoiding distractions: "It is hard. There are a lot of distractions and people try to be somebody that they're not. At a young age, I developed in my mind that I want to be different from everybody else. Being a leader, I have to be able to pour that into everyone else and show them that we are running our own race. We aren't in competition with anyone but ourselves." On the influence of his mother: "Seeing my mom work hard—she was a single mother working hard by herself—I knew I had to grow up fast and be disciplined. Seeing the way she worked, I knew I had to work for everything I wanted." On the decision to return and the trajectory of the program: "The process was seeing what we had from last year building into this year. I knew what we had coming back and what we needed to bring in. Seeing the trajectory of the program, we're going up. The coaches laid it on the table and showed me the blueprint. My teammates and I talked about it; we knew what we had in store and what was in the future." On the increased football IQ in year two of the offense: "That's something we preach a lot—being smart on the field. Last year, I think I used to move too fast and be jittery. The game isn't that hard; you just go out there, read the defense, and see what they're doing. In year two, everything is moving a little bit slower for us. The game is coming to us." On the importance of blocking for wide receivers: "Every day in our individual drills, it's a blocking drill. We have teach tape of blocking every day. No block, no rock. I pride myself on blocking because if you're a receiver, you have to block. You can't be a complete receiver without it. You have to let the younger guys know it's a team game—all 11 guys doing a job to complete one goal." On the chemistry with new and returning receivers: "The chemistry is there. We've been working out every day with each other and the quarterbacks. Outside the facility, we have fun and do little things like creating handshakes to build a bond. The returning guys put that standard into the heads of the newcomers, and they took it in very easily." On Josh 'JD' Derry's work ethic: "JD is a great guy. He came in with his head down ready to work. He stays late and comes in early. We're in here watching film at 6:00 in the morning. He carries himself as a pro. I can't even say too much, you've seen the plays he's been making." On taking over as host of the UCF Fastcast: "It's great to host that now because the guys who did it last year were great representations of this team and leaders off the field. Me and Speedy being on it is a great way to show our outside personalities and who we are away from the football field." On the daily grind and 6:00 a.m. film sessions: "Me and JD come in early to watch film—we even beat the coaches sometimes, though Coach Beck is usually here walking around campus at 5:00 a.m. It's like a 12-hour shift. We're doing what other people aren't doing and trying to bring people up with us. When people see you do it, they're influenced to do it too." On the quest for greatness: "That's what I strive for: greatness. I want everybody around me to be at their best. I just come in and influence my team every day. Don't worry about tomorrow or the next day, just worry about what's happening right in front of you. That's the solution to being great." On the quarterback room and their development: "Kaleb, Lyghtz (Keyone Jenkins), Rocco, and Dante—all of them stood out. They learned the playbook right away and adjusted to the new scheme. Even with Alonzo hurt, he's still spot-throwing for us. These guys really know how to spin it." For more UCF coverage, follow Knights247 on X, Instagram, and Facebook! Sign up for our FREE UCF Knights Newsletter