Just how quickly will Delaware football translate to the FBS world? No two FCS jumps up in weight class are the same.
James Madison didn’t break stride when it came into the Sun Belt in 2022. Sam Houston positioned itself perfectly for the 2023 season, but it took a season - with zero luck whatsoever - to get up going before winning ten games last year. Jacksonville State was supposed to need a little bit, and it was great from jump when it arrived two years ago.
Delaware might not be a Conference USA superstar quite yet, but after the last two years of FCS success under Ryan Carty, it shouldn’t take too long. On the plus side there’s lots of experience, plenty of returning production, and good depth for an FCS program about to make a move like this. But there’s a negative to that - there’s plenty of experience and returning production
If the talent was higher the Blue Hens would’ve been picked clean by the transfer portal.
But there’s something to be said for having a team full of veterans that knows how to play. It’ll be a rocky first run, and it might not always be pretty, but when if comes to FCS teams being prepared for being in the big leagues, Delaware is right on track to be really good really quickly. Delaware's Jo'Nathan Silver tries to elude Villanova's Richie Kimmel in the third quarter of the Blue Hens' 38-28 loss at Villanova Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
- The ultra-efficient attack of last year is balanced, experienced, and surprisingly deep considering the move up. So what’s the problem? The top targets are gone.
- The Blue Hens lost everyone who caught more than one touchdown pass last season. There’s experience back among the three main starters, but the firepower has to emerge for the Blue Hen quarterbacks.
Zach Marker was the leading passer with just over 1,000 yards and ten scores with no picks, and Nicholas Minicucci added ten touchdown passes, three picks, and more rushing ability. Also coming in to challenge for the gig is Riley Trujillo, a dual-threat option from UCF.
- The starting five up front is strong around Anwar O’neal at left tackle with last year’s main backups playing bigger roles. Leading rusher Marcus Yarns is gone, but Jo’Nathan Silver and Saeed St. Fleur are veteran who can take over.
- The linebacking corps has a good top three. Gavin Moul led the team with 81 tackles, No. 2 tackle Dillon Trainer missed a chunk of last year but should be great on the outside, and there’s depth.
- KT Seay, Haasan Manning, and Jason Scott form one of the best safety groups in CUSA - they’ll combine for well over 100 tackles. The corners are have experience, but it’s the one area on the D missing the bulk starting time. There should be enough options to be okay.
Again, it’s a good line, even if most of the starting parts are new. O’neal is the best of the bunch at left tackle, but at 295-pounds he’s also one of the lightest. As long as he’s holding his own at an all-star level in pass protection the rest of the front will work.
The Delaware corner isn’t a problem, but it could use some options and beefing up. Jenkins started out his career at TCU and then moved to Coastal Carolina , He once has 11 career tackles and a broken up pass, but he can move.
Top Transfer Out: Melkart Abou-Jaoude, EDGE Sr.
The 6-5, 260-pounder led Delaware with 6.5 sacks and generated plenty of pressure throughout the season. The top pass rusher left to go play for Bill Belichick at Notre Carolina.
2. KT Seay, S Jr.
3. Anwar O’neal, OT Jr.
4. Keyshawn Hunter, DT Sr.
5. Dillon Trainer, LB Sr.
6. Nate Evans, CB Sr.
7. Zach Marker, QB Sr.
8. Jason Scott, S Sr.
9. Nick Minicucci, QB Jr.
10. Nate Reed, PK Sr.
Delaware is well coached, it won’t be intimidated by the step up in weight class, and it only has two dates against Power Four programs - at Colorado and Wake Forest. But it should still be an up-and-down season.
There’s enough in place to push for six wins, but it really, really hurts to miss Kennesaw State, Missouri State, and New Mexico State.
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James Madison didn’t break stride when it came into the Sun Belt in 2022. Sam Houston positioned itself perfectly for the 2023 season, but it took a season - with zero luck whatsoever - to get up going before winning ten games last year. Jacksonville State was supposed to need a little bit, and it was great from jump when it arrived two years ago.
Delaware might not be a Conference USA superstar quite yet, but after the last two years of FCS success under Ryan Carty, it shouldn’t take too long. On the plus side there’s lots of experience, plenty of returning production, and good depth for an FCS program about to make a move like this. But there’s a negative to that - there’s plenty of experience and returning production
If the talent was higher the Blue Hens would’ve been picked clean by the transfer portal.
But there’s something to be said for having a team full of veterans that knows how to play. It’ll be a rocky first run, and it might not always be pretty, but when if comes to FCS teams being prepared for being in the big leagues, Delaware is right on track to be really good really quickly. Delaware's Jo'Nathan Silver tries to elude Villanova's Richie Kimmel in the third quarter of the Blue Hens' 38-28 loss at Villanova Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
Delaware Blue Hens Preview 2025: Offense
X CFN , Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu , CFN- The ultra-efficient attack of last year is balanced, experienced, and surprisingly deep considering the move up. So what’s the problem? The top targets are gone.
- The Blue Hens lost everyone who caught more than one touchdown pass last season. There’s experience back among the three main starters, but the firepower has to emerge for the Blue Hen quarterbacks.
Zach Marker was the leading passer with just over 1,000 yards and ten scores with no picks, and Nicholas Minicucci added ten touchdown passes, three picks, and more rushing ability. Also coming in to challenge for the gig is Riley Trujillo, a dual-threat option from UCF.
- The starting five up front is strong around Anwar O’neal at left tackle with last year’s main backups playing bigger roles. Leading rusher Marcus Yarns is gone, but Jo’Nathan Silver and Saeed St. Fleur are veteran who can take over.
Delaware Blue Hens Preview 2025: Defense
- The terrific defense of last year loses the top pass rushers , but the run D should continue to be strong with a great front three around Keyshawn Hunter on the nose - he’s back after missing half of last year. Ethan Sanders is more of an edge rusher than a true defensive end, and now he has to a force behind the line.- The linebacking corps has a good top three. Gavin Moul led the team with 81 tackles, No. 2 tackle Dillon Trainer missed a chunk of last year but should be great on the outside, and there’s depth.
- KT Seay, Haasan Manning, and Jason Scott form one of the best safety groups in CUSA - they’ll combine for well over 100 tackles. The corners are have experience, but it’s the one area on the D missing the bulk starting time. There should be enough options to be okay.
Delaware Blue Hens Key to the Season
Delaware Blue Hens Key Player
Anwar O’neal, OT Jr.Again, it’s a good line, even if most of the starting parts are new. O’neal is the best of the bunch at left tackle, but at 295-pounds he’s also one of the lightest. As long as he’s holding his own at an all-star level in pass protection the rest of the front will work.
Delaware Blue Hens Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss
Top Transfer In: Keontae Jenkins, CBThe Delaware corner isn’t a problem, but it could use some options and beefing up. Jenkins started out his career at TCU and then moved to Coastal Carolina , He once has 11 career tackles and a broken up pass, but he can move.
Top Transfer Out: Melkart Abou-Jaoude, EDGE Sr.
The 6-5, 260-pounder led Delaware with 6.5 sacks and generated plenty of pressure throughout the season. The top pass rusher left to go play for Bill Belichick at Notre Carolina.
Delaware Blue Hens Key Game
Delaware Blue Hens Top 10 Players
1. Gavin Moul, LB Jr.2. KT Seay, S Jr.
3. Anwar O’neal, OT Jr.
4. Keyshawn Hunter, DT Sr.
5. Dillon Trainer, LB Sr.
6. Nate Evans, CB Sr.
7. Zach Marker, QB Sr.
8. Jason Scott, S Sr.
9. Nick Minicucci, QB Jr.
10. Nate Reed, PK Sr.
Delaware Blue Hens 2024 Fun Stats
Delaware Blue Hens 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen
There’s talent and experience in place, and that should be enough to pull off a few wins here and there in the Conference USA race.Delaware is well coached, it won’t be intimidated by the step up in weight class, and it only has two dates against Power Four programs - at Colorado and Wake Forest. But it should still be an up-and-down season.
There’s enough in place to push for six wins, but it really, really hurts to miss Kennesaw State, Missouri State, and New Mexico State.
