UCF Football’s Transfer Portal Wide Receivers Earn Solid B+ Grade in 2025 Season Analysis

The UCF Knights’ 2025 wide receiver corps was rebuilt through the transfer portal. Head coach Scott Frost brought in five new pass-catchers for his first season back in Orlando. These additions were tasked with replacing all the team’s receiver production from the previous year.

According to team performance reviews, the strategy largely succeeded. The group provided both a new leading receiver and crucial depth, helping the offense distribute the ball more effectively throughout the season.

Key Additions and Their On-Field Impact

Duane Thomas Jr., a transfer from Charlotte, emerged as the team’s most consistent target. He started nine games and led the Knights with 53 receptions for 528 yards, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

DJ Black, from Limestone University, made an immediate splash. He caught the game-winning touchdown in the season opener and later had an 82-yard score, one of the longest receptions in program history. Chris Domercant and Marcus Burke provided reliable depth, combining for over 390 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Portal Strategy Yields Depth and Big-Play Threat

The collective impact of the transfers gave UCF a more versatile passing attack. The team recorded 69 more receptions in 2025 than in the previous season. This allowed the offense to spread the ball and maintain a threat even when primary options were covered.

Players like Burke and Black averaged over 12 yards per catch, proving to be constant big-play dangers. This depth was vital after an injury sidelined another transfer, Ric’Darious Farmer, before the season began.

The strategic use of the transfer portal to rebuild UCF’s wide receiver room has been deemed a clear success. The incoming class received a B+ grade for delivering a new top target and essential playmaking depth, fundamentally reshaping the Knights’ aerial attack for the better.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Who was UCF’s leading receiver in 2025?

Duane Thomas Jr. led the Knights in 2025. The Charlotte transfer recorded 53 catches for 528 yards over 12 games, earning an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

Which transfer had the longest touchdown catch?

DJ Black had an 82-yard touchdown reception against Kansas State. That catch ranks as the eighth-longest in the history of the UCF football program.

How many transfer receivers did UCF add?

UCF added five wide receivers from the transfer portal for the 2025 season. Four of them played significant snaps, while one, Ric’Darious Farmer, was lost to a spring practice injury.

Did the transfers improve the offense?

Yes, the offense saw measurable improvement. The team had 69 more total receptions in 2025 than in the 2024 season, indicating a more productive and distributed passing game.

What grade did the receiver transfers get?

The group earned a B+ grade. Analysts cited the immediate production of Duane Thomas Jr. and the valuable depth provided by the other additions as key reasons for the positive mark.