By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Bradly Anyanwu has lined up in front of — and next to — a lot of different players since he first got to Delaware in 2019.

The Dover High grad would like to think they’ve all helped make him a better offensive lineman.

“I’ve seen a lot of fronts, different personel, great players, good players. ...,” said Anyanwu. “I’ve seen a lot of things in college football.”

All of which has made it easier for Anyanwu to adjust to learning a completely new offense as a redshirt junior guard for the Blue Hens.

The new offense comes with new terminology and a new, faster pace at times for Delaware’s linemen. But, even at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, Anyanwu said he doesn’t mind the idea of more running around.

“It’s an adjustment, for sure,” he said. “When we run no-huddle, you might be a little tired. But the person across from you is gasping for air. It’s good to have that fast-paced offense where the defense can’t adjust in time.

“I’m adjusting to it still but I love it.”

It’s no secret that the Blue Hens’ offensive front struggled at times last season.
Delaware gave up 23 sacks and 68 tackles for loss a year ago and was only ninth in the CAA at 119.7 rushing yards per game.

Of the three offensive linemen who started all 11 games for the Hens last fall, only junior Patrick Shupp returns — and he’s currently sidelined. They do still have veteran starters in Stevon Brown, Brock Gingrich and James Prince III,

Delaware has added Joshua Stevens (6-foot-5, 310 pounds), who was a starter at Georgetown, and Cole Snyder (6-foot-6, 305), a Canadian who spent a year at Montana State.

First-year head coach Ryan Carty, who also runs the Hens’ offense, said, new scheme or not, they’re not reinventing the way the offensive line plays the game.

“For sure, there’s nuances to every offense that are going to change everyone’s role, and maybe techniques and fundamentals and footwork,” said Carty. “They still have to pass pro (protect) and run block. ... Maybe mentally we’re a little different but I think technique-wise, it’s small changes. It’s still, if we don’t block, we’re not going to win. That’s just kind of football.”

Carty said he likes what Snyder has brought to the line, especially physically.

“He’s so big,” said Carty. “He’s long and uses his length well. I think there’s a difference between being tall, being long and playing tall and playing long. He does a nice job of elongating those edges in the pass pro game and getting his hands on you in the run game. We’re excited about him, especially because he’s got a bunch of years left to play.”

Anyanwu is in the picture, too, as a veteran. He’s played in 18 of Delaware’s last 19 games with a pair of starts over the past two seasons.

Even though this is in a new offensive scheme, Anyanwu said his experience with other systems has helped him adjust faster.

“I feel like the younger Bradly would have still been struggling at this point, trying to adjust to the playbook,” he said. “But now I know how to memorize stuff, know the terminology and I’m getting everything down quicker because I’m older.”

In preseason, Anyanwu has still been lining up at left guard just as he did before. He said he’s not going to worry about who’s starting and how much he’s playing.

He said he just wants to be ready whenever his number is called.

“You’ve just got to be prepared,” said Anyanwu. “Sometimes, last year, coming off the bench and coming in cold, it’s a little hard.

“But I’m used to it now. In our ‘O’ line room, we have a lot of depth. I feel like people don’t know that. We have guys who are ready to compete. We go out there every day competing. ... I feel like there’s a lot of guys who can play on Saturdays.”

Moving up
Carty said that running back Marcus Yarns is among the players who have really improved this off-season.

A former standout at Parkside High in Salisbury, Md., he ran for 80 yards on 23 carries last season.

“He’s done such a nice job changing his body a little bit, kind of growing into his long limbs a little bit,” said Carty. “He’s really taken to Coach (Andrew) Pierce’s coaching and doing the little things a little bit cleaner. He’s making his reads a little bit faster and processing a little bit more.

“And he’s versatile. He’s one of those kids that I think has improved the most from one set of practices to the next. Hopefully he can keep it going and finish camp as strong as he started it.”

On defense, defensive back Riah Burton has emerged as a good cover cornerback. Now in his fifth year with the Hens after transferring from Virginia, the William Penn High grad played in only four games last fall.

Now Burton is closer to being in a rotation with Delaware’s other top cornerbacks.

“He’s been a really good surprise for us back there on the back end,” said defensive coordinator Manny Rojas. “We’re really looking forward to him playing a big role this year.”

Extra points

Rojas singled out safety Nic Ware as another player who has really improved this summer. ... Carty said it’s his policy not to discuss injuries to his players. But there has been social-media discussion of at least one or two significant injuries. ... UD has posted photos of a newly-designed white jersey that includes blue-and-yellow stripes on the sleeve.

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