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DOVER – It felt more like winter than spring on a damp, chilly afternoon at Alumni Stadium on April 12.
And the football team that Delaware State put on the field for its annual intrasquad Red-White game only partially resembles the Hornets squad that will visit Delaware for the season opener when summer is approaching fall.
But with its 15 spring practices now complete under new coach DeSean Jackson, DSU has taken its first steps toward the 2025 season and the start of the turnaround Jackson envisions and was hired to lead.
“From day one to practice 15, obviously finishing with the spring game today, was a huge jump,” said the former All-Pro wide receiver who spent much of his career with the Eagles.
“We see a lot of growth. We’ve seen a lot of guys come together. We’ve seen a culture change. The expectation has been set high, so for these guys to embrace that and embark on that and continue to come out, day in and day out, and work hard, I'm excited as a head coach. Obviously, there's a lot of areas we would love to improve on, but that's what we have these practices for.”
The answers to six questions after the game:
Discussions are taking place about the Delaware State-Norfolk State game, presently scheduled for Nov. 1 at Alumni Stadium, being played at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, where Jackson and new Norfolk State coach Michael Vick were Eagles teammates. They remain close friends.
“It’s a possibility, for sure,” said Jackson.
Temple does have a home game there against East Carolina on Nov. 1, and the Eagles' schedule isn’t out yet.
WORTH THE RISK: Hiring Jackson may work as well as DelState's last football coach gamble
Quarterback Marqui Adams has played in 19 games the last three years at Delaware State. He has run for 521 yards and four touchdowns and thrown for 2,576 yards and 16 more.
His ability as a dual threat was evident on April 12 and certainly gives the DSU offense a potential spark heading into 2025. He had a 51-yard touchdown scamper and 14-yard TD pass to Corey Palmer in the spring game.
Players, oddly, have not been permitted to speak to the media since Jackson’s hiring just after Christmas. But the coach sang Adams’ praises.
“Marquis is a playmaker, man,” Jackson said. “He can do some special things with his legs. As you saw today, he scored like a 50-yard touchdown. He can make plays on the ground.
“Obviously, we would love to improve other areas as well. But, overall, he's able to show that he can get it done. We just got to keep building. We got to put him in situations, to make him uncomfortable, to see how he will perform in those situations.”
DSU AD TONY TUCKER FEATURED: Meet Delaware's Most Influential People in Sports for 2025
The White, which was the offense, won the game 21-16 with its three touchdowns and the defense earning points through stops and takeaways. Mikal Davis’ 10-yard pass to Avari Marshall was the other touchdown.
The defense did have a couple of big plays such as Amir Johnson’s sack of quarterback Jaden Stewart for a safety.
Delaware State did not provide an updated numerical roster for the game.
“The offense started off on fire,” Jackson said of spring practice. “Coach Nemo Washington [the offensive coordinator] implemented some powerful things in the offense. I think throughout the time, defense kind of caught on. Defensive coordinator Brandon Blackmon started throwing blitzes and throwing different looks.
“So it came to a point in time where the offense was really dominant and then out of nowhere the defense just started making plays. I think, to finish off, it's pretty even.”
More than 60 players took part in spring drills, but Jackson said he hopes to have a roster of 90 to 100 players when preseason camp commences.
While Jackson State transfer Kobe Boykin was a busy running back in the game, most of the transfers who’ve committed to DSU since Jackson’s hiring aren’t here yet, along with the high school seniors who are coming. DSU will likely add a few more transfers before August also.
DELAWARE STATE REBUILDS: Recruits signed and DeSean Jackson's staff hired
Jackson was an assistant coach at the high school level for just one season after his NFL career ended and is now leading an NCAA Division I program. That’s an immense jump that involves a vast array of challenges and responsibilities.
“Every day you get the opportunity to learn something,” he said of spring drills. “For me, it was just enjoying the process, just being able to be on this side of it now.
“There was a lot of things that I didn't know about being a head coach that I respect a lot of my head coaches a lot more now because it's a lot of things and half of them don't even have to do with X's and O's. But for me, I come to work every day. I'm rejuvenated. I'm excited to be able to help these young men in life.”
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 State has first spring game under coach DeSean Jackson
Continue reading...
And the football team that Delaware State put on the field for its annual intrasquad Red-White game only partially resembles the Hornets squad that will visit Delaware for the season opener when summer is approaching fall.
But with its 15 spring practices now complete under new coach DeSean Jackson, DSU has taken its first steps toward the 2025 season and the start of the turnaround Jackson envisions and was hired to lead.
You must be registered for see images attach
“From day one to practice 15, obviously finishing with the spring game today, was a huge jump,” said the former All-Pro wide receiver who spent much of his career with the Eagles.
“We see a lot of growth. We’ve seen a lot of guys come together. We’ve seen a culture change. The expectation has been set high, so for these guys to embrace that and embark on that and continue to come out, day in and day out, and work hard, I'm excited as a head coach. Obviously, there's a lot of areas we would love to improve on, but that's what we have these practices for.”
The answers to six questions after the game:
What’s brewing on Delaware State's football schedule front?
Discussions are taking place about the Delaware State-Norfolk State game, presently scheduled for Nov. 1 at Alumni Stadium, being played at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, where Jackson and new Norfolk State coach Michael Vick were Eagles teammates. They remain close friends.
“It’s a possibility, for sure,” said Jackson.
Temple does have a home game there against East Carolina on Nov. 1, and the Eagles' schedule isn’t out yet.
You must be registered for see images attach
WORTH THE RISK: Hiring Jackson may work as well as DelState's last football coach gamble
What is a promising position on Delaware State football team?
Quarterback Marqui Adams has played in 19 games the last three years at Delaware State. He has run for 521 yards and four touchdowns and thrown for 2,576 yards and 16 more.
His ability as a dual threat was evident on April 12 and certainly gives the DSU offense a potential spark heading into 2025. He had a 51-yard touchdown scamper and 14-yard TD pass to Corey Palmer in the spring game.
Players, oddly, have not been permitted to speak to the media since Jackson’s hiring just after Christmas. But the coach sang Adams’ praises.
“Marquis is a playmaker, man,” Jackson said. “He can do some special things with his legs. As you saw today, he scored like a 50-yard touchdown. He can make plays on the ground.
“Obviously, we would love to improve other areas as well. But, overall, he's able to show that he can get it done. We just got to keep building. We got to put him in situations, to make him uncomfortable, to see how he will perform in those situations.”
DSU AD TONY TUCKER FEATURED: Meet Delaware's Most Influential People in Sports for 2025
Who is ahead, offense or defense on Delaware State football team?
The White, which was the offense, won the game 21-16 with its three touchdowns and the defense earning points through stops and takeaways. Mikal Davis’ 10-yard pass to Avari Marshall was the other touchdown.
The defense did have a couple of big plays such as Amir Johnson’s sack of quarterback Jaden Stewart for a safety.
Delaware State did not provide an updated numerical roster for the game.
“The offense started off on fire,” Jackson said of spring practice. “Coach Nemo Washington [the offensive coordinator] implemented some powerful things in the offense. I think throughout the time, defense kind of caught on. Defensive coordinator Brandon Blackmon started throwing blitzes and throwing different looks.
“So it came to a point in time where the offense was really dominant and then out of nowhere the defense just started making plays. I think, to finish off, it's pretty even.”
You must be registered for see images attach
How different will the Hornets look in August?
More than 60 players took part in spring drills, but Jackson said he hopes to have a roster of 90 to 100 players when preseason camp commences.
While Jackson State transfer Kobe Boykin was a busy running back in the game, most of the transfers who’ve committed to DSU since Jackson’s hiring aren’t here yet, along with the high school seniors who are coming. DSU will likely add a few more transfers before August also.
DELAWARE STATE REBUILDS: Recruits signed and DeSean Jackson's staff hired
How has the job challenged DeSean Jackson?
Jackson was an assistant coach at the high school level for just one season after his NFL career ended and is now leading an NCAA Division I program. That’s an immense jump that involves a vast array of challenges and responsibilities.
“Every day you get the opportunity to learn something,” he said of spring drills. “For me, it was just enjoying the process, just being able to be on this side of it now.
“There was a lot of things that I didn't know about being a head coach that I respect a lot of my head coaches a lot more now because it's a lot of things and half of them don't even have to do with X's and O's. But for me, I come to work every day. I'm rejuvenated. I'm excited to be able to help these young men in life.”
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 State has first spring game under coach DeSean Jackson
Continue reading...
