Delaware ranks No. 19 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Blue Hens finished 9-4 last year, losing 49-19 at Montana in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2024 Delaware football squad, which is not eligible for the postseason as it transitions to the FBS.
Returning 2023 All-Conference Players (4)
Second Team
RB Marcus Yarns
Third Team
OL Fintan Brose
S/LB Ty Davis
Honorable Mention
CB Tyron Herring
D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Coming In From The FCS (2)
Nicholas Laboy (WR), Cornell
Josh Cupitt (P), Towson
Transfers Coming In From The FBS (9)
Jason Scott (DB), Boston College
Caleb Fauria (TE), Colorado
Marc Viechec (LB), Marshall
Jake Thaw (WR), Michigan
Nate Evans (DB), NC State
Connor Witthoft (TE), New Mexico
Max Patterson (WR), Rutgers
Q’yaeir Price (DL), Rutgers
Blake Matthews (LB), Troy
Transfers Lost To The FCS (8)
Shane Thrift (DB) to Delaware State
Steven Rose (DB) to Gardner-Webb
Mateo Vandamia (LB) to New Hampshire
Noah Sanders (QB) to North Carolina A&T
Matthew Seo (DL) to Sacred Heart
Kyron Cumby (RB) to Tennessee Tech
DaMarcus Thompson (DL) to Texas Southern
Christian Pierce (DB) to Western Illinois
Transfers Lost To The FBS (0)
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Offensive Outlook
Delaware scored 31.6 points per game last fall, ranking No. 21 in the FCS. The Blue Hens return their starting quarterback, All-American running back, and five starting offensive linemen. They lose their top four pass-catchers.
Ryan O’Connor returns as the starting quarterback, although the Blue Hens bring back all three quarterbacks who started at least one game last year due to injuries. O’Connor played in 10 games, going 162/290 for 2,104 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Zach Marker appeared in five games, finishing 42/65 for 678 yards, three TDs, and two interceptions. Nick Minicucci made six game appearances and went 49/81 for 474 yards, five scores, and five interceptions.
Marcus Yarns is a top-tier returning FCS running back and is firmly on the NFL Draft radar. He rushed 136 times for 939 yards and 15 TDs last year while adding 24 catches for 311 yards and three scores. Quincy Watson provides experience in the backfield after rushing for 261 yards and one touchdown.
Yarns will have a super veteran o-line leading the way. Delaware brings back five multi-year starters up front — two-time All-CAA selection Fintan Brose (6’2” 304 lbs), Bradly Anyanwu (6’3” 331 lbs), Brock Gingrich (6’2” 300 lbs), Blaise Sparks (6’7” 322 lbs), and Patrick Shupp (6’3” 352 lbs).
Delaware has to replace its top four pass-catchers from 2023. JoJo Bermudez will see an elevated role after hauling in 25 catches for 277 yards and a TD. Phil Lutz made some plays last year too, tallying 14 catches for 208 yards and a score.
Nicholas Laboy adds valuable experience for the wide receivers. The transfer started all 20 games from 2022-23 at Cornell. He had 25 catches for 369 yards and two TDs in 2022. Last season, Laboy earned Second Team All-Ivy League after tallying 58 receptions for 705 yards and two touchdowns.
Delaware also added four FBS transfer pass-catchers — Michigan WR Jake Thaw, Rutgers WR Max Patterson, Colorado TE Caleb Fauria, and New Mexico TE Connor Witthoft.
Defensive Outlook
The Blue Hens bring back seven of their top 10 tacklers from last year’s defense that allowed 24 points per game (No. 37 in the FCS).
Dillon Trainer and Ty Davis man the middle of the defense. Trainer finished second on the 2023 squad with 66 tackles, including 5.5 TFLs and one pass breakup. Davis is moving from safety to linebacker after totaling 48 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and three pass breakups as a 2023 All-CAA selection.
Delaware brings back plenty of experience in the secondary.
Safety Nic Ware started 12 games last fall, tallying 44 tackles, one interception, and seven pass breakups. KT Seay started 10 games at safety and had 37 tackles and an interception. Alex Villas also started 10 games at safety and finished with 33 tackles, two TFLs, and four pass breakups.
Tyron Herring is a returning All-CAA cornerback. He arrived at Delaware last year after an All-Ivy League 2022 season at Dartmouth. In 2023, he recorded 42 tackles, two TFLs, five pass breakups, and three interceptions. CB A’Khoury Lyde started three games and appeared in all 13, finishing with 24 tackles and two pass breakups. Hasson Manning Jr. saw plenty of reps as a freshman corner and totaled 18 tackles and two pass breakups.
Up front, Keyshawn Hunter (6’0” 277 lbs) and Jack Hall (6’2” 262 lbs) lead the d-line.
An ODU transfer last fall, Hunter racked up 48 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. Hall also started all 13 games and finished with 42 tackles, eight TFLs, and four sacks.
Delaware strengthened its defense with the addition of five FBS transfers — Rutgers DL Q’yaeir Price, Troy LB Blake Matthews, NC State DB Nate Evans, Boston College DB Jason Scott, and Marshall LB Marc Viechec.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
Delaware Football Schedule
8/29 vs Bryant
9/14 at North Carolina A&T
9/21 vs Penn
9/28 vs Sacred Heart
10/5 at Monmouth
10/12 vs Maine
10/19 at No. 13 Richmond
10/26 vs No. 15 UAlbany
11/9 vs Rhode Island
11/16 vs Campbell
11/23 at No. 6 Villanova
Bold indicates CAA games
HERO Sports’ rankings
