University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mikey Reeves
Football Announces Captains for 2026 Season
8/24/2026 4:57:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware football has named DT Dominick Brogna, OL Steven Demboski, QB Nick Minicucci, LB Gavin Moul, and RB Jo Silver team captains for the 2026 season, head coach Ryan Carty announced Monday. Demboski will be a captain for the second time, while the other four will be first-time captains.
Brogna appeared in all 13 games with four starts in 2025. The fifth-year defensive tackle from Bayville, N.J. has played in 38 games with 10 starts in his Fightin' Blue Hen career, notching 81 tackles, nine TFLs, and one sack. Brogna is one of four players who has been here for the entire Carty era (Demboski, TE Elijah Sessoms, and Silver).
Demboski, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA selection, played and started in 11 games at center last season. According to PFF, he did not allow a sack all season in his first year as the full-time starter. He was named the CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week after UConn after making his season debut in the 44-41 OT win after missing the first two games due to injury. Under his leadership, the Delaware rushing attack had its best game on the ground, accounting for five rushing touchdowns and 247 rushing yards for an average of 5.5 yards per attempt in the team's first-FBS home win. This preseason, Demboski has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watchlist, Outland Trophy Watchlist, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watchlist, Lombardi Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Shriners Children 1000 Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA First Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee.
Minicucci, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA selection and 68 Ventures Bowl Offensive MVP, spearheaded a Fightin' Blue Hen offense that finished with a bowl win in its first FBS season. In 2025, Minicucci led CUSA in passing yards (3,683), completions (322), attempts (512), passing yards/game (283.3), total offense (3,918), and total offense per game (301.4). He connected with 10+ receivers in seven games, eight or more in 10 of 13 games, and seven in all 12 regular season games. On the ground, the signal caller tied for fourth in the conference with 10 rushing touchdowns. Minicucci became the second QB in program history with 20 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs (first since 1969). He ranked among the nation's best in passing yards (sixth), pass yards per game (eighth), total yards (eighth), and total yards per game (ninth). This preseason, Minicucci has been named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watchlist, Davey O'Brien Award Watchlist, Maxwell Award Watchlist, Manning Award Watchlist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year.
Moul, who was an All-CUSA honorable mention selection in 2025, earned all-conference honors for the second-straight season last year after starting all 13 games at linebacker for the Blue Hens. He recorded 111 tackles, becoming the 37th player in program history to record at least 100 tackles in a season for the Blue & Gold. He also had six games with over 10+ tackles. In addition to his open-field prowess that stopped the opposing attack, he also recorded 6.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, a touchdown, and three PBUs. The recovered fumble was returned for his first-career touchdown in the win over UTEP. This preseason, Moul has been named to the Bednarik Award Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, and Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team.
Silver, the 2025 68 Ventures Bowl Overall MVP, was a member of the Doak Walker Award Watchlist last season, an award that goes to the best running back in the country. He appeared in 11 games with nine starts, rushing for a team-best 652 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 29 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown through the air. This preseason, Silver has been named to the Shriners Children 1000 Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA First Team, and Pro Football Network All-CUSA Second Team.
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Brogna appeared in all 13 games with four starts in 2025. The fifth-year defensive tackle from Bayville, N.J. has played in 38 games with 10 starts in his Fightin' Blue Hen career, notching 81 tackles, nine TFLs, and one sack. Brogna is one of four players who has been here for the entire Carty era (Demboski, TE Elijah Sessoms, and Silver).
Demboski, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA selection, played and started in 11 games at center last season. According to PFF, he did not allow a sack all season in his first year as the full-time starter. He was named the CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week after UConn after making his season debut in the 44-41 OT win after missing the first two games due to injury. Under his leadership, the Delaware rushing attack had its best game on the ground, accounting for five rushing touchdowns and 247 rushing yards for an average of 5.5 yards per attempt in the team's first-FBS home win. This preseason, Demboski has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watchlist, Outland Trophy Watchlist, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watchlist, Lombardi Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Shriners Children 1000 Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA First Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee.
Minicucci, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA selection and 68 Ventures Bowl Offensive MVP, spearheaded a Fightin' Blue Hen offense that finished with a bowl win in its first FBS season. In 2025, Minicucci led CUSA in passing yards (3,683), completions (322), attempts (512), passing yards/game (283.3), total offense (3,918), and total offense per game (301.4). He connected with 10+ receivers in seven games, eight or more in 10 of 13 games, and seven in all 12 regular season games. On the ground, the signal caller tied for fourth in the conference with 10 rushing touchdowns. Minicucci became the second QB in program history with 20 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs (first since 1969). He ranked among the nation's best in passing yards (sixth), pass yards per game (eighth), total yards (eighth), and total yards per game (ninth). This preseason, Minicucci has been named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watchlist, Davey O'Brien Award Watchlist, Maxwell Award Watchlist, Manning Award Watchlist, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, a HERO Sports Group of Six All-American, and the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year.
Moul, who was an All-CUSA honorable mention selection in 2025, earned all-conference honors for the second-straight season last year after starting all 13 games at linebacker for the Blue Hens. He recorded 111 tackles, becoming the 37th player in program history to record at least 100 tackles in a season for the Blue & Gold. He also had six games with over 10+ tackles. In addition to his open-field prowess that stopped the opposing attack, he also recorded 6.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, a touchdown, and three PBUs. The recovered fumble was returned for his first-career touchdown in the win over UTEP. This preseason, Moul has been named to the Bednarik Award Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, and Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team.
Silver, the 2025 68 Ventures Bowl Overall MVP, was a member of the Doak Walker Award Watchlist last season, an award that goes to the best running back in the country. He appeared in 11 games with nine starts, rushing for a team-best 652 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 29 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown through the air. This preseason, Silver has been named to the Shriners Children 1000 Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA First Team, and Pro Football Network All-CUSA Second Team.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware Football season tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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