Delaware Football 2025 Positional Preview: Running Backs

While losing Marcus Yarns, the Delaware running back room has several candidates ready to earn larger workloads in 2025.

(Mia Lenkiewicz)

The final 2025 Delaware positional preview belongs to the running backs, who will be in line for a new leader this fall. A quick apology as this group will not have quotes from any players/staff, as I missed the running back interviews due to traveling back from attending the last practice of fall camp with media availability.

The leadership of the room went through an offseason shift as Running Backs Coach Andrew Pierce accepted a position under KC Keeler’s new staff at Temple. In February, the program hired Xavier Dye to take over the position. Dye, who spent the last two seasons at Coastal Carolina in the same role, played wide receiver at Clemson from 2007-2010.

Marcus Yarns, who was critical to the offense’s success throughout his four-year Blue Hen career, finished with 2,344 rushing yards, 812 receiving yards, and 34 total scores. Yarns went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft process, but is now competing for a role on the New Orleans Saints’ preseason roster. For Delaware, Yarns’ departure opens up an opportunity for a new lead back to emerge this upcoming fall.

First up to bat will be senior Jo Silver, who received the bulk of the carries when Yarns missed some time early last season. In 2024, Silver averaged 6.6 yards per carry, outputting 462 total rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. As a receiver, he recorded 12 catches for 118 yards and a score. Featured on Delaware’s Conference USA Preseason Watch List, many expect a breakout season ahead for Silver.

(Mia Lenkiewicz)

Junior Saeed St. Fleur has appeared in all 23 career games as a Blue Hen, rushing for 278 yards and 3 scores on 57 carries. The Bergen Catholic alum also has 24 receiving yards from 7 catches. A lot of touches will be available in Delaware’s offense in 2025, with St. Fleur expected to see his largest collegiate workload yet.

Not new to the program, sophomore Greg Spiller is projected to be implemented in the offense this fall. After a redshirt season, Spiller will now have the opportunity to showcase his ability to step out as a receiver, setting school records at John Champe High School in Northern Virginia for receptions and receiving touchdowns in a singular game and across a full season. Also returning are Daniel McConomy and Oliver Redd, a pair of walk-on sophomores that did not receive game action in 2024. McConomy, a Middletown, Delaware native, was a two-time All-State selectee at Appoquinimink High School.

The program announced signings to the group via both the transfer portal and high school. Viron Ellison Jr. appeared in all 11 games for Tulsa as a true freshman, accumulating 443 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024. Freshman Jared Porter, a Central Dauphin East alum from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, averaged 9.1 yards per carry in his all-state junior season. Both Ellison Jr. and Porter add new elements to the offense.

The division of carries and snaps across the running back room will be one of the most intriguing things to watch in early fall. I expect Silver to receive the highest percentage of opportunities, but more of a committee-approach may be in store for the Delaware offense in 2025.

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