2026 Delaware Football Positional Preview: Running Backs

Our last offensive positional preview focuses on the running backs, who returns everyone that made an impact last season. This preseason’s framework will cover the four who’s: 1) who is back 2) who is new 3) who said what during the local media availability and 4) who (or what) caught my attention. Let us know if this is a format that you appreciate or if you would like us to try something new.

*Note: All snap counts, PFF grades, and recognition are from the 2025 season

Who is Back?

#27 Jo Silver (518 offensive snaps, 1 special teams snap. 73.0 PFF Grade)
- 119 attempts, 652 yards, 5.5 yards/carry, 5 TD
- (Receiving) 29 receptions, 222 yards, 1 TD
#21 Viron Ellison Jr. (395 offensive snaps, 2 special teams snaps. 70.0 PFF Grade)
- 118 attempts, 460 yards, 3.9 yards/carry, 4 TD
- (Receiving) 21 receptions, 191 yards, 2 TD
#26 Greg Spiller (56 offensive snaps, 89 special teams snaps. 60.9 PFF Grade)
- 22 attempts, 110 yards, 5.0 yards/carry, 1 TD
#25 Jared Porter (23 offensive snaps. 68.1 PFF Grade)
- 7 attempts, 25 yards
- (Receiving) 2 receptions, 15 yards

Who is New?

#3 Kaderris Roberts (Bowling Green Transfer): 150 offensive snaps, 25 special teams snaps. 62.8 PFF Grade
- 48 attempts, 215 yards, 4.5 yards/carry
- (Receiving) 22 receptions, 141 yards, 1 TD
- (Special Teams) 9 kick returns, 251 yards, 27.9 yards/return
#28 NaKeem Powell (High School)
#30 Reginald Lea II (High School, Walk-On)
#34 Naseem Tention (High School, Walk-On)

Who Said What?

Delaware Head Coach Ryan Carty
- (On the addition of Kaderris Roberts and how he has settled into the offense): “I think Kaderris has shown some signs in spring of being somebody that could be a little different with the ball in his hands than maybe some of the others guys that we have on the team. I think that’s the cool part about our running back room is that there’s 5 to 6 players in there that can all play at this level right now… they all add something different in their skill set which I think is pretty cool as a play caller.”
Delaware Recruiting Coordinator, Running Backs Coach Xavier Dye
- (On how he would like to see the running back room progress from 2025 to 2026): “Just being better as runners to be honest. I think the main thing we’ve really focused on is being able to make guys miss on the second level so we can make more explosive runs when we do get our opportunities. We just want to be really good at that as the season goes.”
- (On what motivates Jo Silver): “I think the biggest thing is I still coach him like I would the younger guys. Not that I need to do it a lot, but he still gets hard coaching as well. He knows he still has to improve his game if he wants to play at the next level, but he’s been great. He trains like a pro all the time, taking care of his body and being the first one in the meeting. He’s done a great job of preparing better, getting his body right, and really leading the group, so I’ve been very pleased with him.”
- (On Jared Porter’s development): “He’s one of our most physical guys of his stature. He’s done a great job and he’s really good in pass protection, which is nice especially with the type of guys you’re going against every day at this level. We’ve been very pleased with him.”
Delaware Running Back Jo Silver
- (On the running game’s importance in this offense): “Especially with us, everyone knows we’re a high-passing offense. But to be able to bring explosive plays from the running back position is very important to our offense, because sometimes it feels like we just go pass, pass, pass, pass and allow the defense to sleep a little bit. Then boom… explosive run out through the middle. So it’s really great to provide that to our team.”
- (On how Kaderris Roberts complements himself and Viron Ellison Jr.): ” I don’t really understand how defenses are going to game plan for all three of us. I’d like to see them try, because I give such a balanced look to the running back room, and Viron does as well. And then for Kaderris to even add more explosiveness to our running back room… I really see it’s going to be a big challenge for defenses to stop us.”
Delaware Running Back Viron Ellison Jr.
- (On last season’s usage in short yardage scenarios and how he would like to expand his role this fall): “I enjoyed that role. I am a physical running back, and this year I tried to change that narrative of me being a power back and expand my open field agility and things like that. I’m trying to change that name and become more of a balanced back.”
- (On if this year’s group has the potential to be one of the best in Conference USA): “I definitely think we have all the pieces this year, but it starts with Monday and all the way preparing until game week. If we keep stacking good days on good days when prepping for the first game of the season in Merrimack, we’re going to be dangerous. I could tell you that I think we’re going to be the best offense in the conference and country.”
Delaware Running Back Kaderris Roberts
- (On why Delaware to finish his collegiate career): “Coming out the portal, I had a couple options like bigger FBS schools, but I really connected with Coach Dye on my visit. I was just in talks with the other schools, and I felt like Delaware was the first to pull the trigger and showed me that they wanted me. I feel like it was a good spot to end up for this last year of ball.”
- (On how he’s connected with Nick Minicucci): “Man, he throws a pretty ball… I’ve been at other places where there’s more of like groups or cliques, or maybe the starting quarterback isn’t going to gel with everybody because he has a lot on his plate, but Nick connects with everybody. He makes sure everybody’s good no matter if you’re a starter or not. He’s a team player.”

Who (or What) Caught my Attention?

Jo Silver, one of my favorite interviews in our show’s existence, really took it upon himself to become the best leader possible within the locker room. “One thing I noticed is that we have such a diverse group of guys that it was really important for me to find the correct words to reach every person on the team,” Silver responded when asked how he believes he’s accomplished connecting with his teammates. “So I would spend time the night before writing out what I wanted to say, or just think about how I can reach every single person differently.” This week, Silver was named as a team captain alongside quarterback Nick Minicucci, center Steven Demboski, defensive tackle Dominick Brogna, and linebacker Gavin Moul. You can tell how serious he takes this honor, and the Blue Hens are in good hands having him as a team leader.
Speaking of favorites, one of my favorite quotes from the slate of preseason pressers was Kaderris Roberts stating, “I feel like I could be that lightning back to Jo’s and Viron’s thunder.” The 5’8″ back adds something to this room that was missing last season, having the ability to act as a receiver both from the backfield and in the slot. His speed jumps off the screen from his Bowling Green tape and his play in fall camp. I am excited to see how he is utilized in the offense, as well as making an immediate impact on special teams.
Silver, Ellison Jr., and Roberts, the “three-headed monster” as Ellison Jr. referred to them as, look to be the combination out of the backfield this fall. The Blue Hens also have young returning pieces in Greg Spiller and Jared Porter who both caught my attention when given snaps last season. Spiller, who scored a 55-yard rushing touchdown in last year’s regular season finale against UTEP, was highlighted by Delaware Recruiting Coordinator and Running Backs Coach Xavier Dye for his growth this offseason. “Hopefully we can find a way to get him in there and make some plays because he’s a very talented player,” Dye expressed. “You only have one football, so that’s the hard part about that.” Let’s hope this room stays healthy, because having too many options on gameday is a nice problem to have.