 |
| HEAD COACH KERMIT BLOUNT |
DSU third-year head coach Kermit Blount expects about 75 players, including nearly 50 returning letter winners, to report for camp.
The Hornets look to build on their progress of the 2012 season. Delaware State posted its first winning season since 2007 a year ago, registering a three-game overall improvement and a four-win increase in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games from the previous season. DSU posted a 6-5 overall record and was tied for third with a 5-3 mark in the MEAC last season.
Delaware State’s loss of four 2012 All-MEAC First Team offensive players likely contributed to the Hornets’ eighth place ranking in the league’s 2013 preseason poll.
“This year’s camp is critical because we must replace a number of key players from last season,” Blount said. “We have some capable replacements, but many are unproven in game situations. There will be plenty of competition for a number of positions this year.”
Perhaps the biggest question facing the DSU coaching staff this summer is who will including quarterback Nick Elko, the 2012 MEAC Offensive Player-of-the-Year. Elko completed his DSU career as No. 2 in team history in passing yards (5,754) and completions (539); and third in touchdown passes (37). He set Hornets records for completions (259) and passing yards (2,828) last season.
2013 Delaware University Football Schedule
Cory Murphy (r-jr.; 6-2, 205), a 2012 junior college transfer, and Esayah Obado (r-fr.; 6-2, 200) are the top candidates to replace Elko as starting quarterback. Each was listed on the 2012 Hornet roster, but did not see any playing time.
“Both of these guys (Murphy and Obado) are familiar with our system and have the ability to lead our team,” said Blount. “Each performed well in the spring and worked hard during the off-season. I’m eager to see if either one will take control during camp.”
The Hornets also brought in former high school standout quarterbacks Emmett Hunt (fr.; Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville HS) and Garrison Duncan (fr.; Kernersville, N.C./E. Forsyth HS) this season.
Blount did not discount the possibility that one of the freshman QBs could work his way to the top of the depth chart this summer.
DSU must also replace All-MEAC wide receivers Travis Tarpley and Justin Wilson.
Tarpley, also a 2012 Sheridan Broadcast Network Black College All-American, was tops in the MEAC in receptions (7.8 pg) and receiving yards (96.2 pg); and tied for first in the league in touchdown catches (7). He stands third on the Hornets’ all-time list for receptions (181) and receiving yards (2121); and is the school’s career leader with 4,661 all-purpose yards.
Wilson, who recently signed with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, was third in the MEAC in receptions (6.0 pg) and receiving yards (73.3 pg) last season. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions in 2010. Wilson ranks second in team history with 189 catches and 2,416 receiving yards; and is fourth with 23 career touchdown receptions.
Milton Williams (jr.; 6-3, 200), Malik Golson (so.; 5-10, 180), Morris Frasier (r-so.; 6-2, 195) and Bo Ceravolo (r-sr.; 6-1, 185) are the leading candidates to replace Tarpley and Wilson as the Hornets’ top wide receivers.
Delaware State's running game appears strong heading into the 2013 season.
Halfback Malcolm Williams (jr.; 5-10, 180) is the top returning rusher with 437 yards despite missing two games due to an ankle injury in 2012 (4.9 ypc). Williams had two 100-yard games last season, including 120 vs. FBS Cincinnati.
Dae-Hon Cheung (so.; 5-9, 180) rushed for 410 yards (5.0 ypc) and three touchdowns as a true freshman last season. Cheung rushed for a team season-high 140 yards and two touchdowns was Florida A&M in his first career start.
Nagee Jackson (so.; 6-1, 215) had 238 yards rushing and a team-high seven touchdowns on the ground last season. He also had a 100-yard game (106 vs. So. Carolina State) as a true freshman in 2012.
Newcomer Jamaal Jackson, a former Hodgson Vo-Tech (Del.) star, has also joined the running back mix for the Hornets.
The Hornet offensive line returns just one full-time starter from last season, 2012 All-MEAC Second Team center Brandon Cunningham (r-sr.; 6-2, 280). Dimitri Hill (so.; 6-3, 300) and Clark McCready (so.; 6-4, 280) each earned valuable experience as reserves and spot starters last season. Xavier Jones (r-fr.; 6-3, 300), Keevon Prather (r-fr.; 6-3, 280) and Jerron Searles (r-fr.; 6-5, 275) are expected to contribute along the line this season.
The top newcomer on the line, junior college transfer Sal Carrero (so.; 6-5, 315), is projected starter at right guard.
Delaware State expects to return seven starters returning on defense, led by 2012 All-MEAC First Team players Davon Moore (jr.; 5-11, 195) at free safety and inside linebacker Ernest Adjei (sr.; 6-0, 235).
Moore was third in the MEAC in tackles (8.8 pg; 97 total) and tied for third with four interceptions in 2012. His 175 interception return yards were tops in the MEAC and second among all FCS players last season.
Adjei was tied for sixth in the MEAC in tackles at 8.5 per game last season (93 total).
Delaware State defensive returners also include defensive back Terrick Colston (so.; 6-1, 190) and left end Rodney Gunter (jr.; 6-5, 300). Each was selected to the 2012 All-MEAC Second Team.
Colston, a 2012 Jerry Rice Award nominee (top FCS freshman), was second on the Hornets and fifth in the MEAC in tackles (8.6 pg; 95 total) last season.
Gunter was tied for seventh in the MEAC in sacks (0.5 pg; 5.5 total) and tops among DSU defensive linemen with 49 tackles (27 solo) last season.
Delaware State placekicker Mitchell Ward (jr.; 6-1, 180) and punter Marko Kano (jr.; 6-6, 220) also return. Ward was 12-for-19 on field goal attempts and perfect on 28 extra-point kicks in 2012. Kano averaged 39.4 yards (long 62) on 42 punts last season.
Returning defensive back Joe Boyd (jr.; 6-0, 195) was fourth on the team with 87 tackles last season. He was also credited with 3.5 tackles-for-loss, an interception and two forced fumbles.
DSU will open the 2013 season with four consecutive road games, beginning at Delaware on Sep. 7 in the fifth meeting between the state’s two Division I football programs. The Hornets will also visit Towson (Sep. 14), two-time defending FCS champion North Dakota State (Sep. 21) and Savannah State (Sep. 28) in the MEAC opener before playing at home.
The Hornets’ 2013 home opener is Oct. 5 against Bethune-Cookman. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
Delaware State will also welcome Norfolk State (Oct. 12), Howard (Nov. 2) and Morgan State (Nov. 23) to Alumni Stadium this season.
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
No comments:
Post a Comment