By Andy Walter

NEWARK — The Delaware football team is starting the season with some high expectations.

The Blue Hens, who are playing their first season under coach Ryan Carty, were voted to finish second in the pre-season Colonial Athletic Association poll that was announced this morning.

Only Villanova was picked to finish ahead of Delaware in what is now a 13-team league. The Hens received seven of 26 first-place votes.

Delaware also had a conference-high five players named to the All-CAA Preseason Team, plus three more who were named honorable mention.

Wide receiver Thyrick Pitts earned his second-straight nod to the preseason team after being an All-CAA second-team selection in 2021. A year ago, he led the team with 43 catches and 669 receiving yards and ranked fourth in the CAA with seven touchdown receptions.

Defensive back Kedrick Whitehead led four Hens on the defensive side of the preseason team. The five-time All-American earned his third straight all-conference nod in 2021 when he was named to the All-CAA first team after registering 76 tackles with eight pass breakups.

Whitehead was joined by linebacker Johnny Buchanan, who was an All-CAA second-team pick in 2021 after leading UD in tackles, as well as defensive linemen Artis Hemmingway and Chase McGowan who both earned All-CAA third-team honors last season.

Additionally, quarterback Nolan Henderson, defensive back Noah Plack and punt returner Jourdan Townsend all received honorable mention recognition. Plack and Townsend were both All-CAA second-team selections in 2021.

Delaware is ranked No. 15 in the HERO Sports Preseason FCS Poll and No. 20 in the Athlon Sports FCS Preseason Top 25. The Hens open the season on Sept. 3 at Navy.

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at 302-741-8227 or walter@iniusa.org.
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