HBCU Football: Can Delaware State contend for MEAC title in 2021?

Can Jared Lewis continue to develop this fall?

The fortunes of the Delaware State Hornets rest on the development and improvement of redshirt sophomore quarterback Jared Lewis this fall. Lewis completed 51 percent of his passes for 510 yards, seven touchdowns with five interceptions this spring.

The offensive staff did not place much responsibility on Lewis in the passing game in the spring. Expect that to change. If Delaware State wants to make a move in the MEAC this fall, the offense has to find explosive plays and put points on the scoreboard.

Lewis does get his top rushers back from the spring. Leading rusher Sy’Veon Wilkerson and third-leading rusher Thomas Bertrand-Hudon come back to help Lewis carry the load in the running game.

Trey Gross, the spring’s leading receiver, also returns. Gross was the only receiver with more than ten receptions this spring. 2019’s top receiver Bizzet Woodley also returns this fall. The Hornets have big physical receivers.

Led by guard/center Matthew Berks, the offensive line looks to make even more strides this fall. This spring’s line was good but struggled against Delaware, the best team they played in the fall. Delaware State wants a physically powerful running game and to throw the football to their big receivers.