University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Riley Moquin
Football Position Previews: Running Backs
8/27/2026 5:02:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team is preparing for the 2026 season which kicks off at home against Merrimack on Thursday, September 3 at 7 p.m. Throughout fall camp, positional previews will be posted online to spotlight the different units that make up the 2026 Fightin' Blue Hens.
RUNNING BACKS
Recruiting Coordinator / Running Backs Coach Xavier Dye leads the unit in his second season at Delaware.
"The main thing is to keep getting the guys to be better, all-around running backs," Dye said. "I've been very pleased with the guys. They're working hard, they put their head down, and they've done what we've asked them to do. It's a really good group."
UD returns its starting running back Jo 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.
Other returnees behind Silver feature Viron Ellison Jr., Jared Porter, and Greg Spiller - all three who played a role for the Hens last season. Ellison Jr. finished as the team's second-leading rusher a season ago with 460 yards in 13 games. Spiller and Porter mixed in as well, with a majority of Spiller's snaps coming on special teams.
Joining the unit this season is Bowling Green transfer Kaderris Roberts (Zellwood, Fla. / Orangewood Christian), freshman recruit NaKeem Powell (Sicklerville, N.J. / Winslow Township), as well as walk-ons Reginald Lea II (Newark, Del. / Appoquinimink), and Naseem Tention (Baltimore, Md. / Arundel).
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.
RUNNING BACKS
Recruiting Coordinator / Running Backs Coach Xavier Dye leads the unit in his second season at Delaware.
"The main thing is to keep getting the guys to be better, all-around running backs," Dye said. "I've been very pleased with the guys. They're working hard, they put their head down, and they've done what we've asked them to do. It's a really good group."
UD returns its starting running back Jo 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.
Other returnees behind Silver feature Viron Ellison Jr., Jared Porter, and Greg Spiller - all three who played a role for the Hens last season. Ellison Jr. finished as the team's second-leading rusher a season ago with 460 yards in 13 games. Spiller and Porter mixed in as well, with a majority of Spiller's snaps coming on special teams.
Joining the unit this season is Bowling Green transfer Kaderris Roberts (Zellwood, Fla. / Orangewood Christian), freshman recruit NaKeem Powell (Sicklerville, N.J. / Winslow Township), as well as walk-ons Reginald Lea II (Newark, Del. / Appoquinimink), and Naseem Tention (Baltimore, Md. / Arundel).
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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