University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Jim Stiehl
Trust the Process: Palmer's Role Continues To Grow For Blue Hens
10/25/2019 2:14:00 PM | Football
On the first drive of the game, Delaware football was already facing a critical third down situation. In front of a sold-out crowd for Parents and Family Weekend, New Hampshire had steadily marched to the edge of the Blue Hens red zone. Two negative plays had forced the Wildcats into 3rd and 14, but on the Delaware 27-yard line, they were still well within striking distance.
As New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer took the snap, redshirt freshman linebacker Matt Palmer dropped back into coverage in the center of the field. Defensive tackle Cam Kitchen bull rushed the UNH center and got a hand to Brosmer's throw as it was released. With the ball wobbling through the air, Palmer pounced and grabbed his first career interception, following his blockers for a 19-yard return up the Delaware sideline that firmly swung momentum in favor of the Blue Hens, who won 16-10.
It was a fitting moment for the young linebacker, who has become an increasingly important part of the Delaware linebacker corps this season. After not seeing game action and receiving a redshirt during his true freshman season last year, and recording three total tackles through the first three games of the 2019 campaign, Palmer capped a string of four straight solid performances with a career-high nine stops against New Hampshire, tied for the most by a Blue Hen that day.
With Troy Reeder, Charles Bell, and Ray Jones (three of Delaware's top four tacklers in 2018) all graduating, this year's linebacker group was always going to be a little green. Now just past the midway point of the season, with Delaware sitting at No. 19 in both major polls, the new group is establishing itself with players like Johnny Buchanan, Drew Nickles and Palmer.
"He's been good, I think just like everybody else in the room. They're starting to mature and figure it out a little bit." outside linebackers and special teams coach Clint Sintim said of Palmer. "I think he's starting to find his niche a little bit. Last week I think was probably one of his better games."
Initially, the coaching staff was worried that Palmer (6-foot, 195 pounds) would be undersized for the position, especially in 3-4 sets where linebackers are matched up with offensive linemen. But, as he's gotten more playing time, his athleticism and instinct to find the ball have quickly dispelled those concerns.
"He loves playing football. He's a very gifted athlete. He's one of those guys you hear people say, 'He has a nose for the ball,' and he just does. Very instinctive," head coach Danny Rocco said. "Now, we don't even think about the fact that he's playing a lot in the 3-4. But he finds the ball, he gets the ball on the ground, and he's growing and learning every week. He's getting better every week."
Sintim has noticed tangible evidence of Palmer's effort to improve week to week.
"Very intentional as far as getting better. He takes notes all the time," Sintim said. "For example, if I critique Matt on something that needs to be corrected or something he needs to get better at, at that moment he's writing it down. There's a purpose about Matt that says okay, this is what has been corrected, this is what I need to do."
"I like to always look over it before practice. I like to take my notes in the meeting room, and review it right before I go out on the field," Palmer said. "I always like to be prepared. I feel like it just makes me play more confident because I'm not worried about where I'm supposed to be aligned, or who I'm supposed to be reading or anything like that. I can just play the way I want to."
Rocco notes that process even unfolds within games.
"He understands what people are trying to do to him as far as blocking schemes and things like that. He corrects things himself," Rocco said. "So as the game unfolds, he tends to be able to fit right and find the right place to insert. If he tried to make a play this way the first time and he couldn't make it, he'll know to go over the top the next time."
For Palmer, all the attributes that make up a good linebacker (physicality, work ethic, toughness) were on display at Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Penn., where he was a wrestler in addition to playing football.
"I think that teaches a lot of work ethic, a lot of toughness, a lot of grit," Palmer said about wrestling. "Coach [Rocco] always talks about 1-on-1 matchups, and that's 1-on-1. You're either going to be outworked or you're going to be victorious. That's a sport that will teach you a lot about yourself for sure."
The young defense is coming off, arguably, its best performance of the season after holding a ranked New Hampshire team to a season-low 10 points. Still, Palmer and the rest of the unit are striving to get better every day with the most important football of the year still in front of them.
"I think there's so much room for improvement," Palmer said. "I think really every spot in your game could always improve. Honestly, every day you need to work to get better at a lot of things."
The Blue Hens have another chance to get better this homecoming weekend as they host Richmond in a crucial Colonial Athletic Association game. Kickoff from Delaware Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
As New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer took the snap, redshirt freshman linebacker Matt Palmer dropped back into coverage in the center of the field. Defensive tackle Cam Kitchen bull rushed the UNH center and got a hand to Brosmer's throw as it was released. With the ball wobbling through the air, Palmer pounced and grabbed his first career interception, following his blockers for a 19-yard return up the Delaware sideline that firmly swung momentum in favor of the Blue Hens, who won 16-10.
It was a fitting moment for the young linebacker, who has become an increasingly important part of the Delaware linebacker corps this season. After not seeing game action and receiving a redshirt during his true freshman season last year, and recording three total tackles through the first three games of the 2019 campaign, Palmer capped a string of four straight solid performances with a career-high nine stops against New Hampshire, tied for the most by a Blue Hen that day.With Troy Reeder, Charles Bell, and Ray Jones (three of Delaware's top four tacklers in 2018) all graduating, this year's linebacker group was always going to be a little green. Now just past the midway point of the season, with Delaware sitting at No. 19 in both major polls, the new group is establishing itself with players like Johnny Buchanan, Drew Nickles and Palmer.
"He's been good, I think just like everybody else in the room. They're starting to mature and figure it out a little bit." outside linebackers and special teams coach Clint Sintim said of Palmer. "I think he's starting to find his niche a little bit. Last week I think was probably one of his better games."
Initially, the coaching staff was worried that Palmer (6-foot, 195 pounds) would be undersized for the position, especially in 3-4 sets where linebackers are matched up with offensive linemen. But, as he's gotten more playing time, his athleticism and instinct to find the ball have quickly dispelled those concerns.
"He loves playing football. He's a very gifted athlete. He's one of those guys you hear people say, 'He has a nose for the ball,' and he just does. Very instinctive," head coach Danny Rocco said. "Now, we don't even think about the fact that he's playing a lot in the 3-4. But he finds the ball, he gets the ball on the ground, and he's growing and learning every week. He's getting better every week."
Sintim has noticed tangible evidence of Palmer's effort to improve week to week.
"Very intentional as far as getting better. He takes notes all the time," Sintim said. "For example, if I critique Matt on something that needs to be corrected or something he needs to get better at, at that moment he's writing it down. There's a purpose about Matt that says okay, this is what has been corrected, this is what I need to do."
"I like to always look over it before practice. I like to take my notes in the meeting room, and review it right before I go out on the field," Palmer said. "I always like to be prepared. I feel like it just makes me play more confident because I'm not worried about where I'm supposed to be aligned, or who I'm supposed to be reading or anything like that. I can just play the way I want to."
Rocco notes that process even unfolds within games.
"He understands what people are trying to do to him as far as blocking schemes and things like that. He corrects things himself," Rocco said. "So as the game unfolds, he tends to be able to fit right and find the right place to insert. If he tried to make a play this way the first time and he couldn't make it, he'll know to go over the top the next time."
For Palmer, all the attributes that make up a good linebacker (physicality, work ethic, toughness) were on display at Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Penn., where he was a wrestler in addition to playing football.
"I think that teaches a lot of work ethic, a lot of toughness, a lot of grit," Palmer said about wrestling. "Coach [Rocco] always talks about 1-on-1 matchups, and that's 1-on-1. You're either going to be outworked or you're going to be victorious. That's a sport that will teach you a lot about yourself for sure."
The young defense is coming off, arguably, its best performance of the season after holding a ranked New Hampshire team to a season-low 10 points. Still, Palmer and the rest of the unit are striving to get better every day with the most important football of the year still in front of them.
"I think there's so much room for improvement," Palmer said. "I think really every spot in your game could always improve. Honestly, every day you need to work to get better at a lot of things."
The Blue Hens have another chance to get better this homecoming weekend as they host Richmond in a crucial Colonial Athletic Association game. Kickoff from Delaware Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballDelaware Football Postgame Press Conference - 68 Ventures Bowl vs. Louisiana - 12/17/25
Friday, December 19
Delaware Football Postgame Press Conference - UTEP 11/29/25
Saturday, November 29
Delaware Football Weekly Press Conference - Week 14
Monday, November 24
Delaware Football Weekly Press Conference - Week 13
Tuesday, November 18
