Can Jake Thaw heat up the Delaware offense?

As the Delaware Blue Hens football team makes the jump from the FCS to the FBS, success will could be hard to find immediately. Talent advantages may be overstated between the two divisions. However, due to where those advantages are located (often along the trenches), it often leads to lopsided performances. That adversity forces coaches to become creative, and playmakers to step up if they want to have success. And for Delaware to succeed this season, wide receiver Jake Thaw will need to put on his best Cooper Kupp impression in Newark, Delaware.

Who is Jake Thaw?

Entering 2025, Thaw is a veteran presence entering the final year of his college football career. Yet before he joined the Blue Hens, the graduate transfer was a multipurpose star at Staples high school in Westport, Connecticut. There, he played a trio of quarterback, running back, and wide receiver on offense. Thaw also returned kicks and played throughout the defense, too.

The Connecticut prospect’s best high school season was arguably one where he didn’t play receiver at all. That occurred in his junior year, where he played primarily as a dual-threat quarterback. Thaw put together 1695 total yards (188.3 per game), before putting up 897 all-purpose yards (1424 total yards) in his senior season.

At receiver, Thaw showed great body and eye manipulation to create separation post-release. With sure hands to complement his route-running, Thaw excelled at the position. However, he also looked good under center. The Connecticut product showed elite elusiveness, and good vision. At times, it seemed like he was gliding rather than running, which is always fascinating to see at the high school level.

After high school, Thaw held multiple visits at Ivy League schools. However, he decided to walk-on to the Michigan Wolverines in 2020.

Jake also has an older brother, Ben Thaw, who was named to the 2019 D3 Football All-East Region Team.

Journey to Delaware

As a walk-on to Michigan, Thaw didn’t see any action in his first two seasons. While being sidelined as a freshman is common, it was an ACL tear that kept Thaw out of commission in his second season. However, in his final two seasons, he was a rotational punt returner for the Wolverines.

As a returner, Thaw fielded 16 punts for 111 yards (with 11 fair catches). However, his most memorable moment came during the Rose Bowl. Though he muffed the punt inside his own 10-yard line, Thaw held on to the ball as he was barreled down upon by three Alabama defenders. That second effort helped keep Michigan afloat, until they ultimately became National Champions.

Despite that, it’s a moment that still negatively plays back in Thaw’s mind.

“I don’t look at the recovery aspect of it,” Thaw said after the game. “That play’s probably gonna stick with me forever, and not in a good way. I do appreciate the people who have kind of spun it in a positive way, but I look at it all in the negative of what I should’ve done.”

Once the season ended, Thaw entered the transfer portal as a graduate. With two years of eligibility and a pursuit towards his master’s degree, Jake Thaw chose to commit to the Delaware Blue Hens.

Breakout with the Blue Hens

In his first season with Delaware, Jake Thaw instantly became a short-yardage savant for the Blue Hens. Thaw put together 336 yards on 41 catches with 55 targets while lining up in the slot 94.5 percent of the time.

His 8.2 yards per reception may not “wow” observers, but he excelled at his role within the offense. Thaw was a reliable player for the Delaware offense, as his 2.4 percent drop-rate was tied for 59th amongst 498 qualifying players.

On top of his receiving duties, Thaw was also the team’s primary punt returner. In 2024 he returned nine punts for 108 yards, with his longest return of 35 yards coming against Sacred Heart. For his efforts, Thaw was selected to the All-CAA Second Team as a returner.

Yet, as Thaw enters his final year of college football, can he be the spark the Delaware offense needs entering their first year in the FBS?

Can Jake Thaw heat up the Delaware offense?

Entering 2025, the Delaware offense is in an overhaul. Their starting quarterback retired prior to spring ball, they’ve lost multiple starters to graduation or the NFL, and face an uphill battle entering Conference USA. Returning as the school’s most productive receiver from last year, what can fans expect from Jake Thaw within the Delaware offense this season?

What the spring game showed

If the spring game was any indication of what’s to come, Jake Thaw will be featured a lot.

Jake Thaw comes into 2025 as Delaware’s most productive receiver. He’ll look to make his impact in 2025 and that starts today at the Spring Game. pic.twitter.com/KfQxoScFOu

— Thomas Christopher (@ThomasCP_NFL) April 18, 2025

The first two plays were designed for Thaw. He was open with ease both times, with one reception going for 20+ yards. When he was in the game, Thaw looked impressive as a route runner. On top of that, he easily found the soft spots in zone coverage.

The other aspect that stood out at the spring game was his hands. Compared to the other receivers, Thaw had no issue catching the ball. That sure-handedness will be vital to the team when every inch matters.

Finally, it seems like Thaw will be in line to resume his punt return duties this season. Thaw was one of two participants in a “fair catch” contest, and took multiple snaps as a returner.

What to expect in 2025

Returning as the team’s most productive receiver and upperclassman, there’s no question that Thaw was going to be a major participant within the Delaware offense. Based on last year, it’s safe to assume that Thaw will be heavily utilized in the slot. However, it seems like Delaware is also interested in moving him throughout the offense and in motion in the same ways that the Los Angeles Rams utilized Cooper Kupp in years past. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Thaw get snaps in the backfield, and as a potential wildcat quarterback, too.

In essence, Thaw will be a versatile tool for the Delaware offense. Fans should expect him to eat up the intermediate areas of the field. As a primary target in the offense, Thaw’s depth of target should assuredly increase. And, there’s a good chance fans see his yards after the catch increase, too.

Whether or not Thaw can produce in the same fashion Phil Lutz did remains to be seen. However, it’s clear Delaware will depend on him in the same fashion. And if the Blue Hens wish to have success in their first year in the FBS, Jake Thaw will have to play at a high level.

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