By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Nicholas Laboy said it really is true what they say about Ivy League schools.

Getting a degree from one is difficult.

Throw in the fact that Laboy was also a standout wide receiver on Cornell’s football team while he was earning a biology degree and it’s understandable why he is proud of his accomplishment.

“Having to balance football with academics ... it’s definitely something I had to prove on and off the field,” he said. “I was capable in the classroom as well as on the field. It’s definitely a different experience there.”

Now that he’s at Delaware, Laboy’s big challenge — along with getting a graduate degree in International Business — is getting up to speed with the Blue Hens’ offense.

A second-team All-Ivy pick last fall, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is the most accomplished of Delaware’s latest group of transfer receivers. That group also includes a member of Michigan’s FBS national championship team as well as another wideout from Rutgers.

Laboy admits that the way the Hens run their offense is completely different than the one he was used to at Cornell.

“It’s definitely a change, I’ll tell you that,” said the Gaithersburg, Md. native. “At Cornell, the quarterback gets in the huddle, tells the play and then everybody lines up. It’s a lot slower.

“Coming to Delaware, it’s much more high tempo. There’s signs on the sidelines, get the play, line up, no huddle. It’s a lot more fast-paced. It’s definitely something I’ve got to adjust to. But I’m doing well so far and I’m really liking the offense.”

If Laboy can put up the kind of numbers he did for the Big Red last season, the Hens will be happy.

A year ago, he had 58 catches for 705 yards in 10 games. Over the course of his last 20 games he put up 83 receptions for 1,074 yards with four touchdowns.

Last fall, Laboy was named Cornell’s MVP.

Nick Laboy was Cornell's MVP last season after catching 58 passes for 705 yards in 10 games. CORNELL ATHLETICS PHOTO.

“He’s obviously a talented kid and a smart kid — an Ivy League guy,” said UD offensive coordinator/receivers coach Terence Archer. “It’s just about him coming in, learning the system, feeling comfortable with our quarterback and getting a rhythm.

“It’s more the mental part. He’s done a really good job with that.”

Delaware has also had success with the three Ivy League transfers it’s taken over the last couple years. Tyron Herring (Dartmouth) is one of the squad’s top cornerbacks right now while receiver Kym Wimberley (Harvard) made an impact last fall before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

“I talked with Ty (Herring) and he told me about his experience,” said Laboy, who has two years of eligibility remaining. “That really stuck with me — seeing another Ivy League player succeed the way he has.”

Jake Thaw, who returned kicks on Michigan's FBS national championship team last fall, hopes to make an impact as a receiver at Delaware. (AP …

Thaw set to catch on

Four seasons into his college career, Jake Thaw is still looking for his first collegiate catch.

Of course, he was also a converted QB who was trying to get on the field at college football giant Michigan.

Now that he’s transferred to Delaware, the 6-foot-2, 192-pounder wants to try to get his hands on the ball a little more.

“That was a priority of mine in the transfer portal — going somewhere where I feel like I can really get to showcase my ability as a receiver,” said Thaw.

“I’ve played games at receiver but no catches yet. ... Hopefully it will be one of many but it will be nice to secure the first one. It’s been a while since I caught a ball in a live game.”

Thaw was a punt returner at Michigan and still says special teams are something he loves. He returned 16 punts for 101 yards - including a 32-yarder - for the Wolverines last fall.

But trying to return a punt is also where he received some unwanted attention last season.

In the last minute of regulation in Michigan’s national semifinal Rose Bowl game with Alabama, Thaw fumbled a punt that he admits he shouldn’t have tried to field. He recovered the ball just short of the goal line, though, as the Wolverine fans held their breath.

The Wolverines, of course, ended up winning the game in overtime.

Thaw said it was a difficult experience.

“There was a lot of social-media pressure after that,” he said. “I was getting a lot of messages. I was lucky enough to have a lot of people who were positive in those messages but I’d say the vast majority were very negative.”

But Thaw also said the play doesn’t make him afraid to have the ball in his hands again. He's looing forward to it.

“(It’s about) not having any fear,” he said. “I told myself when I went out there, I’m not going to dodge this ball just because it’s a big moment and I’m afraid to make a mistake.”

From Rutgers to Newark

Max Patterson is the second Rutgers receiver to transfer to Delaware in the last couple seasons.

But he also said it’s no coincidence that he followed Josh Youngblood, a standout wideout for last year’s Hens, to Newark. The fact that Youngblood put in a good word for Delaware carried a lot of weight for Patterson.

“When you can hear from a player directly from their experience — they give you the ins and the outs, the good and the bad — that’s what I loved about Josh,” said Patterson. “Me and him were actually very close friends. We got to Rutgers at the same time.

“He told me all great things. That’s why you see me in blue and gold today.”

The 6-foot, 185-pound Patterson played in 25 games at Rutgers. He had three catches while also playing on special teams.

Archer said the Rutgers coaching staff spoke highly of Patterson.

“He said he was a guy who maybe should have played more there,” said Archer. “He was a really hard worker and a talented kid.”

Extra points

Of Delaware’s current 15 receivers, seven are transfers. The Hens also have three true freshman wideouts. ... Archer said he’s looking for returning receiver Jojo Bermudez to have a big season after overcoming a serious knee injury. “He went through a lot,” said Archer. “As far as on the field, we expect a lot from him. I think he’s going to be one of the most talented receivers in the CAA.”