Coach’s take on Miami four-star commit Waden Charles: “He was born to be a wide receiver”

From the moment Palm Beach Central four-star wide receiver and Miami commit Waden Charles stepped foot on campus, Palm Beach Central head coach Kevin Thompson knew he had a special talent in the 2025 wideout. 

“Some people are born into their positions, and that’s what he comes across as,” Thompson told CaneSport. “He was born to be a wide receiver. He’s a big receiver at 6-foot-3, but he doesn’t run like it. He’s real smooth, and he flows with it. Nothing is ever forced, and he’s never jerky. He’s just a natural receiver.”

After watching the Hurricanes’ big win over Texas A&M this past weekend, Charles knew Miami was where he wanted to be, and Thompson believes the rising junior will find success when his time comes down in Coral Gables.

“Coach Kevin Beard talks to him all the time and took the time to come over and talk to him in the middle of warmups, which was huge,” Thompson said. “He was genuinely excited seeing the whole game, and I called him the next morning, and he told me, ‘Coach, I think this is where it’s at’. From there, he told me he was going to commit.”

Analysis: Miami 4-star WR commit Waden Charles gives Hurricanes a 2025 playmaker

Following a stellar sophomore campaign where he hauled in 53 receptions for 1,067 yards and eight touchdowns at Somerset Academy, the No. 231 overall prospect in the 2025 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking made the move to Palm Beach Central ahead of his junior year.

Upon his arrival on campus, Thompson was blown away by Charles’ demeanor and want to better himself on and off the field.

“When I first met Waden, we went to the office and we sat down and I asked him if I could help him be great,” Thompson said. “His answer was how could he be a leader on this team. It kind of blew my mind right there. I never expected that.” 

Although Thompson has only been with the Miami commit for a short amount of time, he has seen growth in how he approaches the game on the field as well as off of it.

“His patience and his trust,” Thompson said when asked what has stood out the most with Charles so far. “He came in taking a big risk because he was the man where he came from. I sometimes ask him, ‘Are you nervous about all of this?’ and for him to say, ‘Coach, I just want the opportunity to compete’ and just be patient with me is huge. He’s one of the only receivers that we have that knows every one of our receiver positions, which is amazing.”  

Charles hasn’t only impressed Thompson and his staff since his arrival, but his hard work in the classroom has not gone unnoticed either.

“Even on campus, the teachers are complimenting him and telling me how he’s so awesome and so polite,” Thompson said. “He’s definitely a great person and more than just a football player.” 

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