—Kel McKnight, B1Daily

When DeSean Jackson accepted the challenge of rebuilding Delaware State football, many observers saw the hire as a publicity move. One season later, the conversation has changed entirely.

Year two has not begun without turbulence. The offseason brought roster turnover, heightened expectations, and the pressure that naturally follows a breakthrough campaign. Yet Jackson remains confident that the Hornets are positioned for an even bigger season in 2026. And when you look at what Delaware State accomplished in his first year, there is a strong argument that the Hornets should be considered the favorite to win the MEAC title this fall.

Jackson inherited a program that had become accustomed to losing. Delaware State had not posted a winning season in over a decade and was picked near the bottom of the conference entering 2025. Instead of a slow rebuild, the Hornets shocked the MEAC by finishing 8-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play while remaining in the championship race deep into November.

That kind of turnaround does not happen by accident.

The biggest reason Delaware State should win the MEAC this season is culture. Jackson arrived with NFL credibility, but more importantly he brought belief. Players who had endured years of losing suddenly bought into a new standard. The Hornets went from a team expecting things to go wrong to a team expecting to compete every Saturday. That mentality shift was one of the defining stories of the 2025 HBCU football season.

Another reason is continuity. Unlike many successful FCS programs that lose momentum after a breakthrough season, Delaware State enters year two with a coaching staff and foundation already in place. The players know the system. The coaches understand the roster. The program no longer has to spend months learning how to win because it already proved it can.

The Hornets also have momentum on the recruiting trail. Jackson’s NFL reputation has given Delaware State visibility that few MEAC programs can match. Prospects who may not have considered the school before are now willing to take calls and make visits. In the transfer portal era, that visibility matters more than ever.

Perhaps the strongest argument for Delaware State is simple: they came within striking distance of a championship in Jackson’s first season. Teams that make that type of leap often take their biggest step forward in year two. The roster now understands what it takes to compete for a title and what details separate contenders from champions.

The MEAC remains competitive, and powers such as South Carolina State Bulldogs football will not surrender the conference crown easily. But Delaware State no longer enters the season as a hopeful underdog. The Hornets have become a legitimate threat.

Jackson’s first season proved he could change the trajectory of a program. His second season is about proving the turnaround was not a one-year story.

If Delaware State improves even modestly from last year’s 8-win campaign, the Hornets should find themselves in the middle of the MEAC championship race once again. Given the culture, momentum, recruiting profile, and confidence Jackson has injected into the program, there is a compelling case that they should be the team holding the trophy when the season ends.

—Kel McKnight, B1Daily