University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Jordan Burgess
Five Blue Hens Ink Deals to Join NFL Organizations
4/27/2019 9:00:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – It all starts as a dream.
Those dreams of playing in the NFL became a reality for several members of the University of Delaware football program with five different Blue Hens signing deals to join NFL organizations following the completion of the 2019 draft.
Joe Walker (Chicago Bears), Troy Reeder (LA Rams), Vinny Papale (Oakland Raiders), Charles Scarff (Ravens) and Tenny Adewusi (Giants) all earned shots to prove themselves at the next level.
They all joined Nasir Adderley, who was chosen in second on Friday, to give the Blue Hens six different signees all in one year, the second-highest total ever (seven in 1981 is the program record).
Walker was one of the more dynamic athletes over the past four years for the Blue Hens, spending time at both the quarterback and wide receiver spots. He is one of only seven Division I players (FCS and FBS) over the past 25 years to have over 2,000 career passing yards, 1,000 career rushing yards and over 750 career receiving yards. After transitioning to wide receiver for his final season at Delaware, the Philadelphia, Pa. native earned Third Team All-CAA accolades and ranked in the top-15 nationally, averaging 19.8 yards per catch, while scoring four TDs and 670 yards receiving.
Reeder earned All-American accolades after finishing one of the most decorated careers in Blue Hens defensive history. He was named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to FCS' top defensive player and piled up 131 tackles on the year, the fifth most in a single-season ever by a Delaware player. In just three seasons at Delaware, he piled up 283 tackles, good for 22ndall-time in program history. He was a three-time First Team All-CAA honoree.
Papale had a career year in his final season at Delaware, hauling in 36 catches and six TDS, while amassing 618 yards. Nearly half (17) of his catches came on third down and he proved critical in the punt return game for the Blue Hens. He had two 100-yard performances on the year, including a eight-catch, 142-yard, two-TD game in a thrilling win over then-#10 Towson.
Scarff had a breakout year in 2018, earning First Team All-CAA and Third-Team All-American accolades. He finished with a team-leading 43 catches for 498 yards and a team-leading seven TDs. The 43 receptions I the most by a Delaware tight end since Ben Patrick in 2006 and the second-most ever. His 11 career receiving TDs is also the second-highest total for a Blue Hen tight end.
Adewusi is a physical specimen that was critical to Delaware's pass defense in 2018. He started 10 of the Blue Hens' 12 games and tallied a career-high 37 tackles, including one for a loss. He had the second-most pass break-ups on the defense with seven, along with a forced fumble. In 40 career games, he racked up two INTs and 15 pass breakups for the Blue Hens.
Those dreams of playing in the NFL became a reality for several members of the University of Delaware football program with five different Blue Hens signing deals to join NFL organizations following the completion of the 2019 draft.
Joe Walker (Chicago Bears), Troy Reeder (LA Rams), Vinny Papale (Oakland Raiders), Charles Scarff (Ravens) and Tenny Adewusi (Giants) all earned shots to prove themselves at the next level.
They all joined Nasir Adderley, who was chosen in second on Friday, to give the Blue Hens six different signees all in one year, the second-highest total ever (seven in 1981 is the program record).
Walker was one of the more dynamic athletes over the past four years for the Blue Hens, spending time at both the quarterback and wide receiver spots. He is one of only seven Division I players (FCS and FBS) over the past 25 years to have over 2,000 career passing yards, 1,000 career rushing yards and over 750 career receiving yards. After transitioning to wide receiver for his final season at Delaware, the Philadelphia, Pa. native earned Third Team All-CAA accolades and ranked in the top-15 nationally, averaging 19.8 yards per catch, while scoring four TDs and 670 yards receiving.
Reeder earned All-American accolades after finishing one of the most decorated careers in Blue Hens defensive history. He was named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to FCS' top defensive player and piled up 131 tackles on the year, the fifth most in a single-season ever by a Delaware player. In just three seasons at Delaware, he piled up 283 tackles, good for 22ndall-time in program history. He was a three-time First Team All-CAA honoree.
Papale had a career year in his final season at Delaware, hauling in 36 catches and six TDS, while amassing 618 yards. Nearly half (17) of his catches came on third down and he proved critical in the punt return game for the Blue Hens. He had two 100-yard performances on the year, including a eight-catch, 142-yard, two-TD game in a thrilling win over then-#10 Towson.
Scarff had a breakout year in 2018, earning First Team All-CAA and Third-Team All-American accolades. He finished with a team-leading 43 catches for 498 yards and a team-leading seven TDs. The 43 receptions I the most by a Delaware tight end since Ben Patrick in 2006 and the second-most ever. His 11 career receiving TDs is also the second-highest total for a Blue Hen tight end.
Adewusi is a physical specimen that was critical to Delaware's pass defense in 2018. He started 10 of the Blue Hens' 12 games and tallied a career-high 37 tackles, including one for a loss. He had the second-most pass break-ups on the defense with seven, along with a forced fumble. In 40 career games, he racked up two INTs and 15 pass breakups for the Blue Hens.
Players Mentioned
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