Offense
The quarterback position belongs to the versatile Nick Minicucci. The All-CUSA signal caller returns for his junior season ready to do something special. He led CUSA in passing yards (3,683) and total offense (3,918). He added 23 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns.
The running back room returns experience in Jo Silver, Viron Ellison, and Greg Spiller. Silver’s speed is next level good; he has been clocked at 10.5 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Ellison is the physical runner. Bowling Green transfer Kaderris Roberts rounds out a very good room.
The wide receiver room returns talent in Sean Wilson (68 receptions for 877 yards), Donovan Lewis, Nick Tyree, and tight end Elijah Sessoms. The additions of Bryson Graves (Coastal Carolina), Da’Wain Lofton (Oklahoma State), and tight end Josh Humes (Coastal Carolina) help make this a very solid group.
The offensive line room returns experience in Steven Demboski, Noah Rosahac, Patrick Methlie, and Anthony Caccese. Much will be expected from redshirt freshman Chandler Telfaire. The additions of Jack Small (Duke) and Mustafa Feika (D2 Tiffin) are massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Noah Matthews, Dominick Bragna, Kaeden Singelton, Q’yaeir Price, Trace Scott III, and Nate Ray, among others. The additions of Sam Siofa (Penn State), Dylan Mann (Troy), and James Steel (UAB) are massive for this unit.
The linebacker room is led by All-CUSA performer Gavin Moul. He is joined by Blake Matthews and Colin Gallagher to form a very solid trio. Moul is one of the top returning tacklers in college football. The addition of Jalen Bell (LIU) provides added depth to the unit.
The secondary returns experience in KT Seay (All-CUSA), KShawn Cox, Jamarion Kolagbodi, and Kahlil Ali. The additions of George Mullins (Michigan State) and Jaquise Alexander (North Dakota State) provide even more depth to a group that should be vastly improved.
Specialists
Punter Josh Cupitt returns from an injury that kept him out all of last season. He has been reliable in the past. The kicking duties should belong to D3 Salisbury transfer Tucker Smack.
2026 Schedule
- 9/3 Merrimack
- 9/12 at Vanderbilt
- 9/19 Coastal Carolina
- 9/26 at Virginia
- 10/2 Liberty
- 10/13 at Middle Tennessee State
- 10/20 Missouri State
- 10/27 at Western Kentucky
- 11/7 at Kennesaw State
- 11/14 Florida International
- 11/21 at New Mexico State
- 11/28 Jacksonville State
Final Analysis
Ryan Carty and the Blue Hens burst onto the scene in their first FBS season, winning a bowl game. This year, they want more. This team has great leadership and fantastic talent. The offense will be tough to stop. If the defense improves, this team could play for a CUSA Title.
