University of Delaware Athletics
Football Positional Preview: Running Backs
8/3/2024 11:55:00 AM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team is a week into its fall training camp as it prepares for the upcoming 2024 campaign. As the season opener on August 29 quickly approaches, Bluehens.com will be taking an in-depth look at each of the team's position groups, with this edition featuring the running backs.
The running back room is highlighted by All-American Marcus Yarns led the Blue Hens with 939 rushing yards, ranking fourth in the nation with 6.90 yards per carry and had four games with at least 100 yards rushing. Yarns accounted for 1,250 total all-purpose yards as he also caught 24 passes for 311 yards. He ranked second in the country with 18 total touchdowns on the season. For his efforts, Yarns was named to the FCS Football Central All-America Third Team and the All-CAA Second Team.
Delaware has a strong contingent of returning veterans along with Yarns as Quincy Watson, Jo'Nathan Silver, Saeed St. Fleur and return after good 2023 campaigns. Watson, who enters his sixth season with the Blue & Gold, ranked third on the squad last year with 261 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in the FCS Playoffs against Lafayette. Silver enters his junior year after seeing action in all 13 games in 2023 and finishing with 162 yards and a score against Saint Francis. St. Fleur had a strong first season as he appeared in 12 games and rushed for 87 yards on 23 attempts and scored a touchdown against Campbell.
"As far as leadership goes, I have a bunch of guys who have been here and been in this offense for multiple years," said running backs coach Andrew Pierce. Overall, they understand what is asked of them and they go above and beyond. Obviously, the leadership of the guys in the room makes it easy for me as a coach. I've got a great room. They all do a great job of doing what they are asked and even more than they are asked.
The Blue Hens have a significant amount of depth in the running back room as senior Kaelin Costello and sophomore Ronnie Heath both return and Greg Spiller enters his freshman season. Costello has been a key member of the UD's special team's units and has made several big plays in that capacity over the past two seasons. Heath looks to find an added role in his second season, both in the running game and on special teams, and Spiller will look to make an immediate impact in his first year.
"Coach Carty does a really good job of spreading the ball out and being super creative in getting the ball into people's hands," Pierce said. "For us, we play an integral role in this offense because we have to pass protect, we have to catch, and we have to run it through the tackles. I think everyone in the room has the ability to line up at receiver and catch the ball and make an explosive play. Also, everyone has to be physical enough to be in pass protection."
The Blue Hens will open the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 against Bryant at Delaware Stadium. Tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now with fans able to purchase season tickets, partial plan packages and single game tickets for all seven of Delaware's home games.
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The running back room is highlighted by All-American Marcus Yarns led the Blue Hens with 939 rushing yards, ranking fourth in the nation with 6.90 yards per carry and had four games with at least 100 yards rushing. Yarns accounted for 1,250 total all-purpose yards as he also caught 24 passes for 311 yards. He ranked second in the country with 18 total touchdowns on the season. For his efforts, Yarns was named to the FCS Football Central All-America Third Team and the All-CAA Second Team.
Delaware has a strong contingent of returning veterans along with Yarns as Quincy Watson, Jo'Nathan Silver, Saeed St. Fleur and return after good 2023 campaigns. Watson, who enters his sixth season with the Blue & Gold, ranked third on the squad last year with 261 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in the FCS Playoffs against Lafayette. Silver enters his junior year after seeing action in all 13 games in 2023 and finishing with 162 yards and a score against Saint Francis. St. Fleur had a strong first season as he appeared in 12 games and rushed for 87 yards on 23 attempts and scored a touchdown against Campbell.
"As far as leadership goes, I have a bunch of guys who have been here and been in this offense for multiple years," said running backs coach Andrew Pierce. Overall, they understand what is asked of them and they go above and beyond. Obviously, the leadership of the guys in the room makes it easy for me as a coach. I've got a great room. They all do a great job of doing what they are asked and even more than they are asked.
The Blue Hens have a significant amount of depth in the running back room as senior Kaelin Costello and sophomore Ronnie Heath both return and Greg Spiller enters his freshman season. Costello has been a key member of the UD's special team's units and has made several big plays in that capacity over the past two seasons. Heath looks to find an added role in his second season, both in the running game and on special teams, and Spiller will look to make an immediate impact in his first year.
"Coach Carty does a really good job of spreading the ball out and being super creative in getting the ball into people's hands," Pierce said. "For us, we play an integral role in this offense because we have to pass protect, we have to catch, and we have to run it through the tackles. I think everyone in the room has the ability to line up at receiver and catch the ball and make an explosive play. Also, everyone has to be physical enough to be in pass protection."
The Blue Hens will open the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 against Bryant at Delaware Stadium. Tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now with fans able to purchase season tickets, partial plan packages and single game tickets for all seven of Delaware's home games.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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