By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Being from Dover doesn’t exactly make Elijah Sessoms a small-town guy.

But the third-year Delaware tight end also knows that being from a small state makes him believe he’s got to work a little harder.

“I feel like I have a lot more to prove,” said Sessoms. “I felt like I have a chip on my shoulder and (I’m) trying to prove day-in and day-out that I’m the best version of myself.”

This fall, Sessoms will also get the chance to prove that he’s the Blue Hens’ best tight end. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder is as experienced as any Delaware player at the position after the Hens graduated starter Braden Brose.

Coach Ryan Carty did bring in a pair of major-college transfers in Caleb Fauria (Colorado) and Connor Whitthoft (New Mexico). Still, Delaware tight end coach Garrett Smith likes where Sessoms is in his development as a player.

“I’ve been very impressed with him,” said Smith. “I hear him talking to the new young guys we have in the group. He’s helping the older guys figure out the signals.

“He’s really taken kind of an ownership in that tight end room. He’s done a phenomenal job being a leader in that group. He’s the first one in the meetings, he’s the last one to leave.”

Last season, Sessoms played in all 13 games for the Hens. The former Dover High standout pulled in five passes for 54 yards.

Sessoms, who is considered a redshirt sophomore, admits it still seems somewhat strange being a leader right now.

“I’m still getting used to the feeling of it,” he said. “But I’m really enjoying it. A lot of the guys, they trust in me and I thank them for that. It’s really a nice feeling.”

Dover High grad Elijah Sessoms has become one of the leaders in Delaware's tight end room this season. DELAWARE ATHLETICS PHOTO.

Among Delaware’s current eight tight ends, only Sessoms and Levaughn Lewis have caught a pass in a Delaware uniform. Among the newcomers, Whitthoft has been the most productive pass-catcher in college with nine receptions for 82 yards at New Mexico.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Arizona native said Sessoms has been a big help as gets acclimated to the Hens’ offense. Whittholt was playing in a run-oriented, option offense at New Mexico.

“Honestly, being an older guy and transitioning into a room is kind of tough because it’s almost like a business,” said Whitthott. “You want to get on the field, you want to play right away because you’re the older guy.

“Elijah has been an amazing help to me. I know he’s younger than me but I kind of look up to him as an older brother in a way. He knows the coaching staff, he knows what they like. He’s given me these tools so I can really be the best version of myself I can possibly be.”

Fauria, who was injured early in his career at Colorado, played in 17 games over the last three seasons with the Buffaloes. Probably his biggest play came when he caught a two-point conversion in last year’s game with Stanford.

As a high school standout in Massachusetts, Fauria caught 70 catches for 1,227 yards with 17 touchdowns. He was good enough to be ranked as the No. 13 high school tight end in the country.

Fauria also has a few family members who played in the NFL, including his father, Christian, who spent 13 seasons as an NFL tight end with the Seahawks, Patriots, Redskins, and Panthers. He was a member of two of the Patriots’ Super Bowl champion Patriot teams (,2004, ‘05).

Despite the fact that half of Delaware’s tight ends are new to the program — including a pair of freshmen — Fauria said the players have all bonded quickly. Sussex Central High grad Alton Dennis, who converted from linebacker last year, is also one of the Hens’ tight ends.

“I think that’s what camp is for honestly,” said the 6-foot-5, 243-pound Fauria. “It’s for football then it’s also just to bring guys together. Every night we have dinner in the facility here We’re starting to get to know each other. We’re starting to get close.”

Ironically enough, the Hens may give Fauria the chance to play at Colorado when they go there in 2025.

“We’re just focused on this year really,” he said. “We’re trying to leave our mark in the CAA and then we’ll worry about that (going to Colorado) when it’s there.”

Like all the tight ends, Sessoms realizes that blocking is probably their first priority in most games. But that doesn’t mean he won’t try to pull in some passes whenever he gets the chance.

In some ways, that just goes along with him wanting to show that Delaware high school players are pretty good, too.

“Being a Delaware guy, there was definitely a chip on my shoulder,” said Sessoms. “I definitely had something to prove. I was able to prove a little bit (last year).

“But this upcoming year I’m ready to prove a whole lot more and show that I’m versatile — and I’m able to build upon what I, and we, did last year.”

Still Senators

Sessoms isn’t the only former Dover High standout playing a key role for Delaware this season, of course.

Offensive lineman Bradly Anyanwu is back for his sixth season with the Hens. The two players are good friends.

“That’s been my guy since day one — even before I got here,” said Sessoms. “He has definitely helped me going from high school to college. That’s my ‘ride or die.’”

Asked if he and Anyanwu take pride in being from Dover, Sessoms answered, “Most definitely.”