HERO Sports welcomes you to "Two-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 125 FCS programs, with two being released each day from June 18 to August 18 (with the final day having three in one day). Today we give you … Delaware State.
[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
FCS TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW: The countdown
FCS PRESEASON TOP 25: The poll
FCS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA: The teams
DELAWARE STATE (2-9)
MEAC (DS was T8th in the MEAC in 2017)
COACH: Rod Milstead – 1st year (0-0 record)
2017 OFFENSE: 14.4 ppg (114th in FCS)
2017 DEFENSE: 38.2 ppg (116th in FCS)
SUM IT UP: The past few years have been tough for the Hornets, going 3-30 since 2015. However, there are reasons for optimism. First-year coach Rod Milstead is a proud alum of DSU and was a part of the last successful "era" at Del State — when head coach William Collick went 81-48 from 1985 to 1996. Milstead went on to be drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and played eight years in the NFL and has a Super Bowl ring to prove it. Don't think his Super Bowl ring won't be shown as an example of what can happen when you begin your journey at Delaware State. Another positive? Many of last year's standouts were really young. The top two quarterbacks — Keenan Black and Jack McDaniels — were underclassmen last year and split the starts and combined to throw for more than 2,300 yards and 16 TDs. The skill positions on offense look sound. On defense, the Hornets return their best overall ball-hawk from 2017 in DB Keyjuan Selby, their leading tackler in Jahad Neibauer and their top negative yardage guy in Brian Cavicante. The biggest question marks, as usual, reside on both sides of the line.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Let's be realistic here and take this one step at a time. Obviously, bettering last year's win total of two is a step forward. With a relatively young roster, how about we set the goal at doubling last year's win total as Milstead continues to rebuild this program. Then in 2019 let's continue the discussion about whether the Hornets will move into the top half of the MEAC. One step at a time, baby, but improvements are coming.
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BEST FCS PLAYER BY NUMBER: We count down, No. 99 through No. 1[divider]
TOP RETURNEE: DB Keyjuan Selby (2nd team All MEAC — 13 passes defensed)
THE NEXT BEST: P Fidel Romo-Martinez (HERO Sports Third Team All-American — 44.8 yards per punt, 24 punts of 50+ yards); WR Trey Gross (7 receiving TDs as freshman last year); QB Keenan Black (1,169 yards passing, 13 TDs); RB Mike Waters (injured most of 2017, rushed for DSU freshman record 820 yards in 2016); DB Jahad Neibauer (leading returning tackler); LB Brian Cavicante (10 TFLs, 74 tackles).
TOP NEWCOMER: ATH Shawn Wood (Pitt transfer)
DID YOU KNOW?: Today's Delaware State University was established in 1891 by the Delaware State Assembly. In 1944 the school became known by its current name, Delaware State.
THE QUOTE: "Overall, I was pleased with the effort on both sides of the ball in the (final) scrimmage, It was a good opportunity to evaluate the players and coaches in game-type conditions. We’ll continue evaluations throughout the rest of spring and summer and look to add some pieces before preseason camp begins in August." — Head Coach Rod Milstead said this spring
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
THE HASHTAG: #FeelTheSwarm
FOOTBALL TWITTER: @DelSt_Football
There is a BUZZ in the air in Dover Delaware… pic.twitter.com/bgdRnrIeMB
— Delaware State FB (@DelSt_Football) May 25, 2018
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FCS QB TRANSFERS: Who Tops The List?
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