Dover, Del. (Aug. 15, 2022) --- Charles Peeler's college football journey began at a Power 5 school before detouring to a junior college, and eventually to Delaware State. Now in his senior year, the Washington, D.C., native is one of the top dual-threat players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
A Preseason All-MEAC Second Team selection at defensive back, Peeler is also the league's reigning punt return leader entering the 2022 season.
After a stellar career as a wide receiver and defensive back at Woodson High School in the Nation's Capital, Peeler joined his brother D'Andre at Iowa State of the FBS Big 12 Conference. As things turned out, he never played a game for Iowa State and left after a year.
Peeler transferred to Fort Scott Junior College in Kansas, where he earned an associate's degree while reviving his football career.
Delaware State recruiting coordinator Jeff Braxton and head coach Rod Milstead got word that Peeler was back on the east coast after finishing at Fort Scott, beginning his connection with the Hornets.
It didn't take long for him to prove his big-time talent and versatility.
He originally joined the Hornets as a wide receiver, but was moved to defensive back in the third game of the 2019 season. After his second interception of the season and 42-yard return helped key  Delaware State to a 16-13 victory over Bethune-Cookman that year, he established himself as one of the top corner backs in the league.
During the abbreviated 2020 season, played in the spring of 2021, Peeler also became the Hornets' top punt returner, averaging a team-high 8.8 yards per return.
In the fall of 2021, he was an All-MEAC Second defensive back and led the league with an 11.0 punt return average, highlighted by a 55-yarder for the Hornet's lone touchdown in a 16-13 loss to eventual MEAC and HBCU champion South Carolina State.
Peeler is a key member of what many observers believe is the Hornets' best secondary in some time. The unit includes 2022 Preseason All-MEAC First Team and 2021 FCS Freshman All-America Esaias Guthrie (so.) and All-MEAC honoree Jawain Granger (sr.), along with Romell Harris-Freeman, a 2021 All-MEAC Third Team selection.
"I'm grateful to Delaware State for the opportunity to play and continue my education," said Peeler.  "This is a perfect fit for me, and I'm looking forward to a special season for myself and the team this season."
Delaware State kicks off the 2022 season at home against Lincoln (Pa.) University on Sep. 3. Game time is 2:00 p.m. The Hornets have seven home games at Alumni Stadium this season, including the homecoming contest against North Carolina Central on Oct. 29.     
 
Hornets' 2022 Football Schedule link:
https://dsuhornets.com/sports/football/schedule
Delaware State ticket office link:
https://dsuhornets.universitytickets.com/