Middletown's O'Neal has taken on a bigger role with the Blue Hens

NEWARK – Anwar O'Neal knew he would be relatively underweight last fall.

The former Middletown High standout stands 6-foot-5, but weighed only 250 pounds when he began training with Delaware's other offensive linemen.

“When I saw these guys and saw how big and physical they were, I knew I had to gain weight to really compete,” O'Neal said.

But a year and over 30 pounds later, O'Neal weighs in at around 292 pounds and believes he is now in a position to get some playing time.

It won't be easy to get on the field this fall as the Blue Hens return a number of veterans on the offensive line, but UD offensive line coach Chris Rogers said he will use anyone who has proven they are ready to contribute.

Rogers said he likes the bigger, stronger O'Neal right now. He knows it hasn't always been easy for O'Neal to gain a healthy weight.

“Now that he has that mass, you can see a difference on the field,” Rogers said. “Anwar is going to be a star for us.”

Delaware, which opens the season against Bryant on Aug. 29, has 16 offensive players on its roster, including veterans such as Bradly Anyanwu (Dover), Brock Gingrich, Patrick Shupp, Fintan Brose, Blaise Sparks and Thomas Chernasky.

O'Neal, who played in two games last fall, will see if there's room for him on the field. He was named to the All-Class 3A second team as a junior at Middletown.

Because of his greater physical presence, he almost feels like a different player at the start of this season.

“I definitely notice a difference,” O'Neal said. “I can block those attacks – any attack they throw at me.

“When I was lighter, I was faster. But I wasn't as strong. So I could sit down on those moves, but I still got pushed back. But now I can sit down on those moves and I'm not going anywhere.”

The fact that O'Neal now works constantly with the Hens' regular offensive players also makes a difference, he said.

“It's a complete turnaround for me,” O'Neal said. “Last year was a little rough. I learned a lot, but not that much.”

“But now I feel like I can really go out there and do what I need to do and dominate. I know it. I'm perfect at it. I can do what I need to do.”

Since this is only his second year in college, O'Neal said he doesn't know how much bigger he can get.

He said UD's coaches are “playing by eye,” and so far they haven't seen him lose any agility or speed because of the extra weight.

“My goal is to just keep climbing and see what happens,” he said.
With most of Delaware's veteran linemen in their final year of eligibility, the Hens will likely have to rely on today's young players next fall.

This also happens to be the Hems' first season in Division I FBS and Conference USA.

O'Neal will likely become one of those leaders. But he said he's just trying to live in the here and now for now.

But O'Neal is also obviously aware that he is now better physically prepared to compete against the FBS linemen.

“I feel really great about it,” he said. “Pulling on the weight really gave me confidence. I was already confident in my ability to stop people.

“But now, with the weight, I am even more confident because I know what I can do.”

Hens rely on Dover graduates

Among the experienced offensive linemen, Dover High graduate Bradly Anyanwu is one of the Hens' leaders this fall.

The 1.90 m tall and 150 kg player is in his sixth season and has played 40 games, 20 of them as a starter.

A year ago, Anyanwu started all 11 games for Delaware at right guard.

“Bradly brings a lot of life to the locker room and the meeting room,” said Blaise Sparks, another senior lineman. “Obviously, he's a great player, too. All of us in this room love him, for sure.”

“We love Bradly,” Rogers agreed. “He's clearly a star for us. Nobody knows how to run with their feet like Bradly.”

“He's physical, he's mean, he's tough. He's everything you want in an offensive lineman. It's just about making sure he understands where he stands and getting the younger players ready and being a good leader for them.”