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Da’Wain Lofton and Bryson Graves may be first-year University of Delaware wide receivers, but each knew something about the Blue Hens that made them want to become one.
In Lofton’s case, he’d been wooed by Delaware in his first entrance to the transfer portal after playing at Virginia Tech from 2021-23. He landed at Oklahoma State but, still possessing a year of eligibility after two years with the Cowboys, chose Delaware after entering the portal again this year.
“Once I hit the portal again, just reconnected and made it happen,” said Lofton, who felt he already had a rapport with Delaware coach Ryan Carty and offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Terence Archer.
Graves’ familiarity came because of a former teammate and ex-coach.
He’d watched Kyre Duplessis move from Coastal Carolina to Delaware last year and become one of the top wideouts in Conference USA. He is now in the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks’ camp.
But Graves also had a close connection with Xavier Dye, who is entering his second season as Delaware running backs coach after moving from Coastal Carolina.
12 QUESTIONS: Blue Hens prep for second CUSA football season
When the 5-foot-10, 177-pound Graves decided to leave the Chanticleers himself after last season, Duplessis’s success and his familiarity with Dye put Delaware in a favorable light.
“Me and coach Dye were really close at the previous school,” Graves said, “and when I transferred he was most definitely a big part of the reason. I’d say him and Kyre Duplessis . . . Coach Dye always believed in me and when he gave me that call I was ready to go.”
A steady stream of transfer wideouts have found the Blue Hens’ spread offense appealing and have become key parts of it in recent years, such as Duplessis, Jake Thaw (Michigan), Phil Lutz (Tufts), Nicholas Laboy (Cornell), Joshua Youngblood (Rutgers), Max Patterson (Rutgers) and Chandler Harvin (Sam Houston).
Now it’s Lofton’s and Graves’ turn along with Brandon Rehmann, who came last year from West Virginia, caught three passes and hopes to get more involved this year.
“I just wanted to come in and fill the shoes of the previous guys who’ve played here,” said the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Lofton, who is from Fort Worth, Texas. “Just come in and try to make an impact as best as possible.”
Lofton and Graves, who is from Florence, South Carolina, have already had productive careers.
Graves caught 64 passes for 672 yards and four touchdowns the last three years at Coastal Carolina, which Delaware hosts on Sept. 19. He led the Chanticleers in catches (30) and yards receiving (330) in 2025. He’s also a proven returnman.
Lofton arrives with 42 career catches for 560 yards and three touchdowns and has also returned kicks.
QB TO BE: Minicucci aims for better 2026 after stellar 2025
“It’s getting reps honestly,” Archer said about what will key their development. “It’s great that they were both here in the spring . . . I really think that’s the biggest key.
“It’s not a real simple offense. We try to not make it too complicated but there is some nuance and some formations and motions and all that kind of stuff. Those two guys have done a really nice job picking it up. They’re both veteran guys who’ve played quite a bit at their previous institutions . . . I’ve really been happy with the way they’ve come in and approached learning.”
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] 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: Delaware's latest transfer receivers aim to leave their mark
Continue reading...
In Lofton’s case, he’d been wooed by Delaware in his first entrance to the transfer portal after playing at Virginia Tech from 2021-23. He landed at Oklahoma State but, still possessing a year of eligibility after two years with the Cowboys, chose Delaware after entering the portal again this year.
“Once I hit the portal again, just reconnected and made it happen,” said Lofton, who felt he already had a rapport with Delaware coach Ryan Carty and offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Terence Archer.
Graves had two UD connections
Graves’ familiarity came because of a former teammate and ex-coach.
He’d watched Kyre Duplessis move from Coastal Carolina to Delaware last year and become one of the top wideouts in Conference USA. He is now in the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks’ camp.
But Graves also had a close connection with Xavier Dye, who is entering his second season as Delaware running backs coach after moving from Coastal Carolina.
12 QUESTIONS: Blue Hens prep for second CUSA football season
When the 5-foot-10, 177-pound Graves decided to leave the Chanticleers himself after last season, Duplessis’s success and his familiarity with Dye put Delaware in a favorable light.
“Me and coach Dye were really close at the previous school,” Graves said, “and when I transferred he was most definitely a big part of the reason. I’d say him and Kyre Duplessis . . . Coach Dye always believed in me and when he gave me that call I was ready to go.”
Transfers have excelled as UD receivers
A steady stream of transfer wideouts have found the Blue Hens’ spread offense appealing and have become key parts of it in recent years, such as Duplessis, Jake Thaw (Michigan), Phil Lutz (Tufts), Nicholas Laboy (Cornell), Joshua Youngblood (Rutgers), Max Patterson (Rutgers) and Chandler Harvin (Sam Houston).
Now it’s Lofton’s and Graves’ turn along with Brandon Rehmann, who came last year from West Virginia, caught three passes and hopes to get more involved this year.
“I just wanted to come in and fill the shoes of the previous guys who’ve played here,” said the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Lofton, who is from Fort Worth, Texas. “Just come in and try to make an impact as best as possible.”
Proven college pass catchers
Lofton and Graves, who is from Florence, South Carolina, have already had productive careers.
Graves caught 64 passes for 672 yards and four touchdowns the last three years at Coastal Carolina, which Delaware hosts on Sept. 19. He led the Chanticleers in catches (30) and yards receiving (330) in 2025. He’s also a proven returnman.
Lofton arrives with 42 career catches for 560 yards and three touchdowns and has also returned kicks.
QB TO BE: Minicucci aims for better 2026 after stellar 2025
“It’s getting reps honestly,” Archer said about what will key their development. “It’s great that they were both here in the spring . . . I really think that’s the biggest key.
“It’s not a real simple offense. We try to not make it too complicated but there is some nuance and some formations and motions and all that kind of stuff. Those two guys have done a really nice job picking it up. They’re both veteran guys who’ve played quite a bit at their previous institutions . . . I’ve really been happy with the way they’ve come in and approached learning.”
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] 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: Delaware's latest transfer receivers aim to leave their mark
Continue reading...
