Five questions as Blue Hens open football practice for unusual 2024 season

The University of Delaware football team commences preseason drills Tuesday morning.

When the Blue Hens step onto the turf, they’ll be preparing for a season unlike any other in the school’s prolific football history.

The 2024 season will be absent the traditional aim of earning national stature, due to Delaware’s 2025 climb to Conference USA and the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Delaware announced those plans last November.

The Blue Hens are, therefore, ineligible for the league title and NCAA FCS playoffs despite being placed fifth in the 16-team Coastal Athletic Association preseason coaches' poll.

But there are still 11 games to play , beginning with a visit from first-time foe Bryant Aug. 29.

The Blue Hens will be expected to approach those with the proper gusto, both to satisfy their own athletic instincts to win while also putting down a sturdy base for the 2025 jump to a more competitive, less forgiving world.

"The goals kind of remain the same as far as winning each game that we play," third-year coach Ryan Carty said.

Eight important questions as the Blue Hens begin practice:

How does Delaware handle not having the usual incentives?

This could be tricky and require the right mindset by players and smart decisions by coaches.

Every Delaware preseason begins with one major goal in mind – making the NCAA playoffs. Pursuit of national titles has been a legitimate aspiration of Delaware teams since the Blue Hens won their first in 1946, then five more after that.

Whether realistic or not, it has always been the target. Now that is gone.

With Delaware transitioning to the FBS, it is ineligible for the CAA title and its automatic playoff berth – another annual goal since the Blue Hens joined what was then the Yankee Conference in 1986 – and the FCS tournament.

Simply winning as many games as possible is now the ambition, and certainly Delaware will be in position to set lofty goals there, including seeking the school’s first unbeaten season since 1972. That would be something to crow about and is a worthy and realistic objective that would serve as a strong springboard to 2025's move to FBS.

But, as many other schools that made similar transitions have done, Delaware also may elect to red-shirt and preserve the eligibility of some players who might otherwise help them.

"It's about getting guys who want to win, no matter if there's a championship or whether it's not," said Tyron Herring, who excelled at cornerback last year after his transfer from Dartmouth. "As individuals, getting guys who want to compete at a high level every week, put their plays on film."

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Who will play quarterback?

Delaware seems quite adept and deep at this position, having three players who, due to injuries to others, started games last year.

That trio is led by fourth-year Hen Ryan O’Connor, who threw for 2,104 yards and 19 touchdowns in 10 games last season and gives Delaware a proven No. 1.

Delaware’s most efficient passer, however, was Zach Marker, who completed 64.6 percent of his throws. Marker blew out his knee in the regular-season finale versus Villanova and had surgery, but has made a swift and strong return that again puts him in competition for the starting job.

Nick Minicucci stepped in late last year as a true freshman with O’Connor and Marker sidelined and showed his considerable potential, especially as a dual threat. He was Delaware’s fifth-leading rusher netting 156 yards with a 4.7-yard average.

Considering the skills each possesses, Carty should be able to employ his quarterbacks situationally, considering the flexibility of Delaware’s offense.

"There is a lot of available talent in the quarterback room right now," Carty said, adding Delaware is pleased "to have the ability to have multiple student-athletes that we think can really go out there and lead us to victory at that position."

What is Delaware’s strongest position area?

Delaware has likely never had more experience on its offensive line, the position area where long-term know-how and teamwork are particularly imperative.

The Blue Hens’ five returning starters are each in their fifth year (center Brock Gingrich, guard Patrick Shupp and tackle Fintan Brose) or sixth year (guard Bradley Anyanwu and tackle Blaise Sparks) of college football. Between them, they have played an astonishing 180 college games.

Delaware also has some very capable back-ups who’ll push for playing time and be available if needed. That includes Middletown High grad Anwar O’Neal, Anthony Caccese, Cole Snyder and Steven Demboski.

This group, therefore, must demonstrate up-front dominance to better protect its quarterbacks and pave the way for its runners.

What position area will have the most competition?

Delaware graduated its four most productive pass catchers from 2023, three wideouts and a tight end. The Hens’ offensive absolutely relies on receivers being able to get open, stretch the field and make plays after the catch.

"We lost a lot of production there, for sure, and really good football players, and guys who had played a decent amount of snaps for us," Carty said. "We have to reload there. I think we've done that. I think we have people in place to take those snaps and go produce just as well as we always have."

While wide receivers Jojo Bermudez and Phil Lutz and tight end Elijah Sessoms have proven ability, Delaware needs more to step up. There are certainly plenty of candidates including receiver returnees Jalyn Witcher and Ja’Carree Kelly.

Several transfers also seek to make a mark., including tight ends Caleb Fauria (Colorado) and Connor Witthoft (New Mexico) and wideouts Max Patterson (Rutgers), Jake Thaw (Michigan) and Nicholas Laboy (Cornell).

What will be particularly interesting to watch?

Delaware's best defenses have been led by sturdy playmakers who forced turnovers or made tackles behind the line of scrimmage and helped give the football back to the offense. Delaware graduated its two best from last year in lineman Chase McGowan and linebacker Jackson Taylor.

Who emerges to fill those key roles will help determine Delaware's success, and certainly the Hens have several candidates, led by linebackers Dillon Trainer and Ty Davis, noseguard Keyshawn Hunter and several defensive backs.

"We just have to continue to have that next-man-up mentality," Carty said., "and those guys who haven't played a lot of football are gonna be guys who are stepping into those roles."

What newcomers could make immediate impact?

In addition to those previously mentioned, Delaware has several transfers poised to seize opportunity. On defense that includes defensive backs Nate Evans (N.C. State) and Jason Scott (Boston College), linebacker Blake Matthews (Troy State) and defensive lineman Q’yaeir Price (Rutgers).

Another interesting prospect is Mysonne Pollard, a 6-2, 185-pound defensive back from Monroe College who was an NJCAA Division I All-American as a specialist last year. Four of his five punt returns were touchdowns covering 68, 68, 63 and 94 yards. He also averaged 23.1 yards on kickoff returns.

As for freshmen, several wide receivers could earn opportunities. One of them, Matt McKinley, enrolled last winter and had a 50-yard touchdown catch in the spring game. Nick Tyree, one of the nation’s top sprinters at Thomas Dale High in Chester, Virginia, and Sean Wilson also could contribute early.

What's the toughest game on the schedule?

That's easy — the season-ending Nov. 23 visit to preseason CAA favorite Villanova,

The 58th meeting between these local rivals will very likely be their last. As a result, the Wildcats would love to continue their recent dominance. They've won 16 of the last 18.

The Oct. 19 visit to Richmond also appears potentially perilous.

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What's the minimum number of wins for successful season?

Delaware must win at least nine, and should against this schedule.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Five questions as Blue Hens open football practice for unusual 2024 season