Before transferring to UCF, Redshirt Senior Josh Derry was a 1,000-yard receiver at Monmouth University. However, in the Knights’ final spring practice, it was tough to find a scrimmage snap where he wasn’t on the field.
Wide Receiver and Associate Head Coach Shawn Beckton has talked about Derry’s versatility on inside, outside, and deep passing routes. For those who may not have believed it, Derry removed any potential doubt by going up and grabbing passes in various spots on the field.
The quarterbacks have also recognized him as a force during the final spring practice. In particular, the presumed starter, Alonza Barnett III, mentioned his name first when asked which receiver impressed him the most.
When Knight fans think about last year’s passing game and cringe, they have every right to do so. It wasn’t good.
12 touchdowns total. 11 of them were thrown by quarterbacks, and only four of them were caught by wide receivers. However, seeing new weapons like Derry making impact plays — while Duance Thomas and Waden Charles were on the sidelines — is an uplifting sight for those looking for those ills to be cured.
At the end of the day, it is still practice. Nothing is proven, nothing is in a statbook, nothing is in a scoreboard. But seeing the number of reps Derry had demonstrates the coaches’ confidence in Derry.
If this trend continues once Barnett joins the lineup, and they continue to connect through summer workouts, then Derry’s chance to hit the top of the wide receiver truly presents itself.
