Delaware State experienced its best football season since 2007, finishing 8-4 and second place in the MEAC behind South Carolina State.
What can DeSean Jackson and his coaching staff do for an encore? We have a few ideas and ways that the Hornets can build on their breakout 2025 season.
“Strap down” celebration specialists needed
One thing that hurt Delaware State this season was their pass defense. The Hornets allowed an alarming 277 yards per game through the air; only Samford and North Alabama were worse in all of FCS.
Jackson and defensive coordinator Brandon Blackmon must find some shutdown corners and safeties capable of providing help, so teams aren’t tempted to take the top off the DSU defense.
Feed James Jones
Jones, the home run hitter who had multiple touchdowns of 60 yards or more, will likely be the featured running back heading into spring and summer practices.
While Marquis Gillis’ 1100-yard season was no surprise, the 6-foot-2, 205-lb. Jones’ breakaway speed was a pleasant bonus in helping the Hornets to an FCS-leading 291 yards per game on the ground.
Special teams must be special
Delaware State’s longest return on special teams was a 41-yarder against Southern Connecticut State, so the Hornets fought an uphill battle with regards to field position all season long.
Return specialists will be key, as well as replacing punter Dyson Roberts Jr., who averaged nearly 42 yards per boot last season.
Protect the house
Delaware State’s offensive line was one of the best turnaround stories on a team full of turnaround stories, but watching Isaiah Cook and Jestus Johnson graduate is a tough pill to swallow.
The Hornets will need to find some new big dogs to protect whoever the starting quarterback will be in 2026. Which leads to…
QB1 must be defined early
The late and legendary football icon John Madden once said, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have none,” and while the Hornets defied that with great play from Kaiden Bennett and Jayden Sauray this season, it will benefit DSU to have a defined QB1 going into 2026.
Sauray, the Maryland transfer, proved that he was capable of starters’ reps, subbing for an injured Bennett several times with reasonable success. There will be QBs available in the portal and there are younger ones on the roster. Are any of them better than Sauray?
That’s a question Jackson and his staff will have to answer quickly.
Stay hungry
No one has to tell DeSean Jackson or anybody on his staff what it takes to be great, but now they must remind the returning players and new recruits that 8-4 was nice, but the goal is a trip to Atlanta and the Celebration Bowl.
Jackson has made a great life for himself proving doubters wrong and will likely face questions if Delaware State’s 2025 season was a one-hit wonder. This offseason and the 2026 season will be pivotal in his coaching career. He’s shown he has the attitude and the approach for it.
Can he build and coach a championship team? The eyes of the HBCU football world – and beyond – will be watching.
There’s reason to believe Jackson, his staff and his players can rise to the occasion, especially after turning a decade-long sad story into a winning show with rave reviews in just a year’s time.
