Delaware football opens spring drills with big goals for 2026

Delaware is coming off a better-than-expected FBS-level debut that ended in satisfying fashion with a 20-13 68 Ventures Bowl win over Louisiana.

But as coach Ryan Carty has said, Delaware players didn’t come here to finish 6-6, which was the Hens’ regular-season 2025 record.

The critical process of getting better began the morning of March 12 as Delaware had the first of its 15 spring practices.

The 2026 season opens Sept. 3 with a home game against FCS Merrimack followed by nonconference games at Vanderbilt, home against Coastal Carolina and at Virginia.

Delaware begins its second year in Conference USA at home against Liberty on Oct. 2.

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With there no longer being a spring or summer transfer portal, Delaware’s roster will change little before preseason camp commences in late July.

“We are who we are right now,” said Carty, heading into his fifth season as Delaware coach.

Here are important questions regarding the Blue Hens as spring drills commence:

When is the spring game?

There isn’t one this year, as Delaware has ended decades of tradition and will no longer have its Blue-White intrasquad game.

More and more schools have dispensed with that typical spring-ending drill, preferring to keep things under wraps and avoid possible injury.

Spring practice consists of 15 sessions with the last occurring April 23 (Players are on spring break week of March 23).

An open practice for season-ticket holders, football team alums and those who’ve donated $100 or more to UD Athletics will be April 18 in Delaware Stadium and include a post-practice chat with Carty.

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What is Delaware trying to undertake this spring?

The Blue Hens went 7-6 overall and 4-4 in Conference USA in their inaugural FBS season in 2025. While that likely surpassed most expectations, Delaware expects to be improved and compete for the CUSA title in 2026.

It has roughly 30 new players this year to take part in that quest.

“There are some really cool things when it comes to development,” Carty said. “I think that's the thing that excites me because that's what this program has been built on, trying to make sure we retain and develop our players really well and take potential and turn it into some really good players.”

How is that best accomplished?

By building off quarterback Nick Minicucci’s 2025 success with further offensive expansion that will involve identifying and developing reliable runners and pass catchers, with reliable receivers Jake Thaw and Kyre Duplessis having graduated, and rebuilding an offensive line that loses several key performers.

Delaware also must make major improvements on defense, where last year it finished 11th in CUSA in scoring defense (31.0 ppg), 10th in total defense (405.3 ypg) and ninth in pass defense (245.6 ypg).

How does Minicucci build off breakthrough 2025?

Minicucci was second-team All-CUSA after leading the league in passing yards (3,683) and total offense (3,918), which both put him among the national leaders. He also ran for 10 TDs.

“There's so many things that are detail-oriented that we need to get better at,” Carty said, adding Minicucci relishes that endeavor. “There's only room for growth at quarterback. There's never a time where somebody can't get better at quarterback.”

For Minicucci, that will especially involve, Carty said, quicker processing and decision-making.

What’s the situation on the offensive line?

This is pivotal as the offensive line was widely viewed as a key to Delaware’s success last season.

Delaware graduated first-team All-CUSA pick Fintan Brose and longtime starter Patrick Shupp and saw Anwar O’Neal move to Louisville for a bigger paycheck. Second-team All-CUSA center Steven Demoboski provides the ideal anchor with starters Anthony Caccese and Noah Rosahac also back.

Salesianum grad Patrick Methlie is the only other offensive lineman returning who played in the bowl game. Other candidates poised to assume bigger roles include Red Lion Christian grad Carter Sareyka, Tyler Burnham, Wahkeem Roman, transfers Jack Small from Duke and Mustafa Keika from Division II Tiffin and 2025 freshmen Chandler Telfair and Dylan Stewart.

“We're looking for those starting five plus two,” Carty said. “You always have to have about six to eight that are rotational and it shouldn't be a drop off when you get them in. … Hopefully we can continue to build that depth throughout spring. It's gonna be important for us to do that.”

What’s a defensive position area needing a rebuild?

That would be the secondary.

Delaware graduated starting cornerback Nate Evans and safeties Jason Scott and Mysonne Pollard. But it does have some promising youth – cornerback Jamarion Kolagbodi was the Hens’ most impactful true freshman last year – that must continue to develop.

Portal additions Jaquise Alexander from North Dakota State, Jalen Bell from LIU and George Mullins from Michigan State will be among those aiming to make a mark.

How must the defense be better?

Carty said Delaware’s defense was particularly adept on first and second downs last year but proved susceptible on third downs, despite foes often having to cover lots of ground.

“We were not great on money downs,” Carty said. “… That's a huge area for improvement that we need to have.”

That happens, he added, through “the changes that we've made schematically, formationally, positionally and personnel-wise.”

What will be interesting to see?

Who emerges to replace kicker Nate Reed after his stellar 2025 showing.

Salisbury transfer Tucker Smack and Kason Mullis, a freshman from Florida, will vie.

Who will be interesting transfers to watch?

In addition to those defensive backs, Kaderris Roberts, the versatile running back, the wide receivers from Coastal Carolina and recent addition Da’Wain Lofton from Oklahoma State, and Caravel grad and UAB transfer James Steel on defense.

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: 2026 Delaware football spring breakdown and player updates