University of Delaware Athletics
Football Positional Preview: Offensive Line
3/25/2023 10:42:00 AM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team is a third of the way through its spring schedule as the Blue Hens begin preparations for the 2023 season. Throughout the spring season, Bluehens.com will be taking an in-depth look at each of the team's position groups, with this edition featuring the offensive line.
The Blue Hens have an experienced group returning to the offensive line in 2023 as four of the team's five primary starters are back. Fintan Brose earned All-CAA Third Team honors last fall in his first year at the position after transitioning from the defensive line. Brock Gingrich has started 17 games at center over the past two seasons while Blaise Sparks and Bradly Anyanwu both became primary starters in 2022.
"The energy has been great over the first couple of weeks of spring practices," said offensive line coach Chris Rogers. "It has been a strong atmosphere of competition. We are still figuring out what that leadership role will look like but as a team, we have to be accountable to each other!"
Several upperclassmen also are back for another season in the Blue & Gold and look to battle for increased roles. Senior Patrick Shupp started 11 games in 2021, but battled injuries last season, while classmate Braden Clark will also fight for more playing time. Cole Snyder and TJ Thomas both saw action in their first season with the Blue & Gold in their first season after transferring into the program.
Noah Buttiglieri joined the Blue Hens midway through last season and will battle for an increased role in the trenches alongside sophomores Steven Demboski and Jaime Ramos who both did not see game action in their first year in Newark. Additionally, Thomas Chernasky will look to make an impression in his first year on the offensive line after transitioning from the tight end position.
A pair of incoming freshmen will join the Blue Hens this summer as both Anthony Caccese and Anwar O'Neal signed national letters of intent in December and are finishing up their final semesters of high school.
"It's spring ball. We are all finding our roles but I am very proud of this group," said Rogers. "I believe our group will be committed to our team, relentless in pursuit of our goal, and hopefully we can finish what we started last year."
The Blue Hens finished the 2022 season, the first of the Ryan Carty era, with an 8-5 overall record and advanced to the second round of the FCS Championship. Delaware will open the 2023 season on Thursday, August 31 at Stony Brook.
Season tickets for the 2023 football season are on sale now and can be purchased HERE. Season ticket members receive price savings over singles games, early access to purchase tickets to Penn State, invitations to member events and more! Partial plans and single-game tickets will go on sale later this spring. Click HERE for more information.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_FB and Instagram @delaware_fb, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook. Follow Ryan Carty on Twitter @RyanCarty10.
