DeSean Jackson finished his first spring practice period as the college football coach at Delaware State earlier this month. He was able to get a feel for the day-to-day operations but his roster is nowhere near complete.
The Hornets need to add at least 30 players in the next three months.
Jackson, one of the best deep threats in NFL history, was hired to coach college football at Delaware State back in December. It is his first experience as a head coach and it will not be an easy task to rebuild a program that was essentially dead in the water prior to his arrival. The Hornets have not won the MEAC since 2007. They won a total of two games in each of the last two seasons.
The first-year head coach sees things differently.
We’re not rebuilding. This isn’t rebuilding. We don’t have time to waste. We’re doing this right now.
— DeSean Jackson
A large number of players entered the transfer portal after their former coach was hired. Jackson inherited a roster of less than 60. Even if he is not calling it a rebuild, it is what it is.
The first commitment of the new era at Delaware State was a pretty big deal. A former four-star recruit, who also happens to be the son of an NFL legend, signed with the program in January. He has since added between five and 10 other athletes to the team. Some guys have left.
As things currently stand, the Hornets’ roster consists of approximately 65 players. There is still a very long way to go and not a lot of time to get there.
Right now we have roughly 63, 64 guys. Summertime comes up, we push 99 hopefully. We opted in to be able to have a larger roster … that cutoff is like 95 guys. We’re going to try to get as close as possible as we can to that.
— DeSean Jackson
The added numbers will come through a few different channels: walk-ons, transfers and incoming freshman. However, it goes much deeper than bodies on the field. Anyone who wants to play for DeSean Jackson at Delaware State needs to buy in. Current players’ spots are not safe. Incoming players have the same opportunity to compete as those who are already in the system.
We just kind of let the standard be the standard and guys just have to follow. The workload is going to be the workload regardless… guys got to just embrace that and just keep fighting.
— DeSean Jackson
If it seems like a tall task to add 30+ players in three months, it is. But there is so much talent that will be processed out on the higher levels of college football in coming weeks. There are thousands of players who are already in the transfer portal without a home. The trickle down effect is going to play right into Jackson’s hands. Guys who don’t fit elsewhere can come ball out at Delaware State!