Dover, Del. (Aug. 24, 2018) --- Delaware State's 2018 offensive line is likely the most scrutinized unit on the team. DSU first-year head coach Rod Milstead was an All-America offensive lineman for the Hornets before an eight-year National Football League career. Last spring, Milstead hired Anthony Vitale to serve as his offensive line coach this season. In addition, Hornets' tight ends coach /run game coordinator Jeff Braxton has years of experience coaching offensive lineman.
“It's a great situation for me as a young coach to benefit from the experience of guys like Rod and Jeff as we develop the offensive line,” said Vitale, most recently an assistant at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. “The goal is to give our players the best coaching to help them learn and grow, individually and as a unit.”
Lacking a senior, the 2018 Delaware State offensive line is laden with young players who will be tested by major opponents early in the season.
“The line has made significant progress since the spring, but there's a lot to work to done,” Vitale said. “We have a number of young guys who we're asking to learn and grow quickly. We have some good-attitude guys and I'm excited about the potential for our line.”
Despite missing the last seven games of the 2017 season due to an injury, junior center Cade Pedro is the most experienced member of the Hornets' offensive line. A 2017 preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection, Pedro started his first 14 games at DSU before going down in week four last season. Pedro sat out this year's spring camp, but is working his way back into the rotation this summer.
Right tackle Kaiden Crawford (r-so.) has also battled injuries as a Hornet, but appears ready to come into his own.
“Kaiden has worked really hard to become a solid contributor on the line,” said Vitale. “I'm real pleased with the progress he continues to make this summer.”
Left guard Matthew Derks (so.) has also been cited for his improvement since seeing limited action as a true freshman in 2017. “Matt has made significant progress as a lineman by dedicating himself to conditioning and improving his skill level,” Vitale said.
Returning linemen Liki Seu (so.), Savion Hopes (so.) and Dillon Marshall, along with newcomer R.J. Moli, a junior college transfer (DeAnza College), are also expected to be major contributors this season.
Former Delaware high school all-star (Newark HS) Tyreek Booker, a converted tight end, is starting his first full season as a lineman. First-year Hornets Dwight Chavis (jr.), Noah Nnabuo (fr.) and Michael Wood (jr.) bring additional depth to the line.
