Delaware dozen: Meet 12 First State football players set to give Blue Hens a boost

James Collins was mainly a Division II recruit coming out of Mount Pleasant High.

But the Wilmington resident was confident enough in his abilities to go to Division I FCS Delaware as an invited walk-on.

That belief paid off last year, when Collins became a big-play target for the Blue Hens in their passing game and also a periodic runner with the football.

Now, with new coaches and a different offense, Collins has to prove he belongs all over again.

He has apparently gotten off to a good start, often lining up with the first and second units in the Blue Hens’ preseason practices.

First-year coach Ryan Carty’s up-tempo spread offense aims to get the football in the hands of elusive receivers in open spaces, and the 6-foot, 190-pound Collins fits that bill.

“You’ve always got to prove yourself when you’re out there,” Collins said after a recent practice. “And with the new offense, it’s just learning how to execute and going out there and ‘repping’ every play so you can get better at it.”

The offense, which contains a multitude of formations and aims to make us of the players’ best abilities, seems to suit Collins’ versatile skills well.

“I can play anywhere,” he said, “in the slot or outside. It gives me more room to play and work on speed and get releases.”

Collins played in one spring game in 2021, zipping 20 yards on a carry in the season-opening win over Maine.

In the fall, he had 12 catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Both were on passes from Zach Gwynn, who started the last seven games after Nolan Henderson’s season-ending injury – a 26-yarder against James Madison and a 25-yarder against William & Mary, both at Delaware Stadium.

Like last year, Collins hopes to once again be a player who can “deliver in key situations,” he said. “Any way I can help out.”

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Having been a second-team All-State pick at Mount Pleasant as a wide receiver, returnman and defensive back, Collins is quite familiar with contributing any way he can.

“His skillset is undeniable,” Henderson said. “He’s a very talented kid. During his time here he’s continued to develop and show he has the athletic ability but also the understanding of what being a good receiver is and the nuances that kind of only come through experience and getting good coaching and putting time in. The sky’s the limit for him.”

Collins is among a dozen Delaware high school products – out of 18 on the roster – who appear likely to be regular contributors for the Blue Hens this season. The others:

Nolan Henderson, quarterback, Smyrna

Delaware's grand ambitions for 2022 have much to do with the quarterback, whose clutch play in 2021 sparked the Blue Hens’ NCAA semifinal run. Likewise, his absence in the final seven games last season factored into the Hens’ 5-6 finish. Delaware’s new offense is tailored for a quarterback with Henderson’s play-making talents and he has a chance to flourish.

Kedrick Whitehead, safety, Middletown

Deservedly the most decorated Blue Hen, two-time first-team All-CAA pick and All-American selection Whitehead is the centerpiece of a Blue Hens’ defense that aims to be among the best in FCS this fall. His 223 career tackles rank 39th all-time at Delaware.

Riah Burton, cornerback, William Penn

Burton spent his first two seasons at Virginia playing wide receiver and has been a valuable reserve since coming to Delaware and being switched to cornerback in 2019. In 14 career games, he’s had 17 tackles and an interception. But after playing in just four games last year due to a leg injury and COVID-19, Burton is poised for a banner final season. “He’s a darn good cover corner,” Carty said. “He is long and fast and fluid . . . He’s had a great camp.”

Zach Gwynn, quarterback, Salesianum

Not recruited by Division I programs out of high school, Gwynn walked on at East Carolina, where he honed his game in two seasons well enough that, after transferring to Delaware, he beat out all the quarterbacks Delaware had recruited to serve as Henderson’s back-up. He ended up starting the Hens’ last seven games with mixed results. Gwynn completed 114 of 205 passes (55.6 percent) for 1,328 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Still No. 2, he’ll benefit from that experience if and when he has to step in this season.

Jake Reed, long snapper, Caravel

A sixth-year player and fourth-year starter, Reed has been rewarded for his reliability with a scholarship and brings a steady hand and determination to an important role.

Bradly Anyanwu, offensive lineman, Dover

Now in his fourth UD season, Anyanwu has been a dependable player for Delaware and provides important experience and know-how to the offensive line. With 18 career games under his belt including a couple starts, Anyanwu has been playing with the second unit at right guard in preseason camp.

T.J. Thomas, offensive lineman, Delaware Military Academy

Thomas was a frequent starter on the offensive line at Georgetown in 2018, 2019 and, after the Hoyas didn’t have a 2020-21 season due to COVID-19, 2021 before a hip injury sidelined him last year. He’s healthy now after surgery and has appeared to handle the rigors up front, often lining up at left guard with the No. 2 unit.

Makhi Jackson, wide receiver, Smyrna

Delaware has considerable depth, experience and potential at wide receiver. But opportunity abounds at the position in the Blue Hens’ pass-oriented attack and Jackson, still seeking his first game action in his third UD season, has shown he has the skills to take advantage as he showed while being a first-team All-State playmaker at Smyrna.

Trey Austin, cornerback, Middletown

Another sixth-year player thanks to a red-shirt season and the COVID year, Austin provides talent and experience behind the Blue Hens’ solid first three of Justis Henley, Amonte Strothers and Burton at cornerback and is also a special teamer. He got in two games last year, his first on-field action since playing in 10 games as a red-shirt freshman at UNLV in 2018 before transferring home.

Jared Duncan, safety, Tatnall

The fourth-year Blue Hen has appeared in just one career game after spending his first college year at Morgan State. But the son of one of Delaware’s best high school players ever, Christiana linebacker and NFL alum Jamie Duncan, provides versatility and experience to the UD defense and has become a valuable reserve and special teamer.

Brandon Dennis, defensive back, Concord

A fifth-year Blue Hen, Dennis has appeared in four career games and could land special teams duty.

Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: University of Delaware football: 12 local players set to aid Blue Hens