DeSean Jackson is making large strikes at Delaware State College—and this newest pickup may be his largest but.
Simply weeks into his first season as head coach, Jackson has landed former Sacramento State standout Kaiden Bennett, an All-America quarterback, out of the switch portal. The transfer alerts that Jackson isn’t simply right here to shake arms—he’s right here to shake up the MEAC.
Bennett, a dynamic dual-threat athlete, brings big-game expertise, critical stats, and a chip on his shoulder to Dover. His switch might be a game-changer for a program seeking to climb out of the shadows and into the nationwide dialog.
A Confirmed Playmaker
Bennett’s soccer résumé speaks for itself. He began his faculty journey at Boise State earlier than transferring to Nevada, ultimately discovering his groove at Sacramento State. In 2023, he lit up the sphere:
2,192 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, finishing over 64% of his throws.
577 speeding yards and 6 TDs on the bottom.
A complete of two,767 yards of offense, making it among the finest particular person seasons in Sacramento State historical past.
He didn’t simply fill the stat sheet—he delivered signature moments. In a high-stakes FCS playoff sport, Bennett dominated North Dakota with almost 400 complete yards and 4 touchdowns. Just a few weeks earlier, he led the Hornets to a shocking upset over Stanford, incomes Massive Sky Offensive Participant of the Week honors.
Even with accidents slowing him down in 2024, Bennett nonetheless completed ranked high 20 at school historical past for passing yards and high 3 in completion proportion. Now, he’s suiting up in Hornet gear—however this time it’s Delaware State Hornets.
A New Imaginative and prescient in Dover
DeSean Jackson, one of many NFL’s most electrifying wideouts turned HBCU head coach, has been vocal about reworking Delaware State soccer. With former beginning QB Marqui Adams getting into the portal in late July, Jackson wanted a brand new chief underneath heart—and Bennett suits the invoice.
This isn’t only a expertise improve. It’s a tone-setter. Jackson is constructing a program that refuses to play small.
Bennett provides Delaware State a quarterback who can lengthen performs, stretch defenses, and lead a quick, pro-style offense that Jackson has promised will hold followers on the sting of their seats.
And this isn’t the one portal splash. Jackson has been stacking expertise by transfers and aggressive recruiting, together with holding a mega camp that introduced over 400 prospects to campus. The message is obvious: DSU is open for enterprise.
Why It Issues
In a school soccer world the place top-tier transfers hardly ever look towards HBCUs, this signing is a cultural second. Bennett selecting an HBCU—particularly one nonetheless rebuilding—sends a sign. Jackson is leveraging his NFL credibility and star energy to raise not simply Delaware State, however the profile of HBCU athletics as a complete. And it’s working. Bennett brings management, expertise, and a starvation to show he nonetheless has extra to offer. Beneath the steerage of Jackson, his remaining collegiate chapter might be his most impactful one but.
