Heading into 2025, Delaware Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Rocco DiMeco is looking for a clean system from the special teams room. “With any specialist unit, the biggest thing is consistency. I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but consistency and operation in that specialist room is the most important factor.”
Nate Reed, after earning 2024 All-CAA Honorable Mention at kicker, sets strong goals for 2025. “Hitting everything inside 40 is obviously a goal for many people. Just being clean, hitting every ball the same, not overthinking anything. Just going out and doing my job would be ideal,” explained Reed. While focusing on cleaning up everything in the short and intermediate ranges, Nate has also looked to extend his distance from his career-long 41 yards last season, stating that he hit from 55 yards in a practice scenario this camp. “We haven’t gone farther back, but there was more room on the 55-yarder, so I think we have a pretty good shot if we need it at the end of the game.”
Named to the 2025 Conference USA Preseason Watch List, Reed also broke the school’s single-season touchback record last year, putting the ball through the back of the end zone on 47 of his 71 attempts (66%). “I take huge pride in kickoff. It’s my favorite thing to hit the ball out of the end zone, hear the whistle blow, and run off the field with no return.” Also competing with Reed is sophomore Skyler Sholder, who saw action in two games in his first collegiate season.
With Delaware punter Josh Cupitt likely out for the season with a knee injury, the program announced the signing of Division II All-American transfer Brenden Lach. “We evaluated a ton of punters, and he was a kid who has a ton of leg potential,” stated DiMeco. Lach, who started his career at Michigan Tech as a wide receiver, used YouTube and his soccer history to self-teach himself how to punt, looking for a new avenue to make the travel roster. “I think my strength is my athletic ability. I can run on the punt, I can hit the ball in the pocket, I can turn the ball over. I think I got a lot of clubs in the bag.”
Lach, whose locker is right next to Cupitt’s, has appreciated his advice in preseason camp. “If I don’t hit the best ball, he’s like, ‘Hey, next one.’ So he’s been a great help, and I’m happy to have him around,” he described. Coming from a full rugby scheme at Michigan Tech, Brenden has been practicing all techniques in camp on how to get the ball out best, stating “the more clubs in the bag, the better.” Continuing to reference punting with golf terms, Lach claimed, “And I know that we will see the golf shot come out a couple times this season.”
Unsurprisingly, when both Reed and Lach were asked which road game they are most looking forward to kicking in, both responded with Colorado. “Higher altitude, let’s see that ball fly,” hummed Lach immediately. Reed, also noting Wake Forest, said he is eyeing kickoffs in Boulder. “I wanna see the ball off the tee in Colorado’s altitude, that’s for sure.”
Junior Noah Vitko will serve as the team’s long snapper for a third straight season, while incoming freshman Bodie Frederick will add competition.
DiMeco, continuing to preach consistency, concluded with, “They’re out there for one play, and it has to be perfect. Snap-to-hold, snap-to-catch, snap-to-kick, it’s got to be on the money.”
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