Homegrown recruits from Middletown, Dover among Delaware State football signees

Two Delaware high school football standouts have opted to stay close to home to launch their college careers.

Dover running back Jakwon Kilby and Middletown defensive back A'kendre Matthews each signed a Letter of Intent accepting a scholarship to Delaware State University on Wednesday and join the Hornets' quest for a football revival. A state champion triple jumper, Kilby will also compete for the school's track and field team.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Matthews had two interceptions, six pass breakups, 45 tackles and three tackles for lost yardage last fall in his first year at Middletown after transferring from Seaford. His seven interceptions for Seaford in 2022 led the state.

Matthews' father, Andre, starred in basketball at DSU from 1999-2003 after graduating from Seaford. Fellow Middletown senior and brother Aviyon, a wide receiver who is 13 months older, also signed with an FCS program – Stonehill of the Northeast Conference.

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Those family connections and the chance to make an impact early led Matthews to choose DSU, where he'll likely be a safety.

"I'm just trying to carry on the legacy," Matthews said. "I also like the coaching staff there. I feel like they can develop me, get me ready for the next level."

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Kilby was one of the state's best running backs over the past three seasons, accumulating more than 3,500 rushing yards. A knee injury a month into the season cut his final year short. As he blocked for a teammate, another player's leg swung around and hit his left knee. The result was a partial PCL tear, a hairline fracture in his tibia and a meniscus tear.

"At first, I thought all of my opportunities were out of the window," said Kilby, who ran for 570 yards and 11 touchdowns in four games before the injury. "But I held it up, faced adversity and found a home."

Kilby returned for the final game of Dover's season, but he's still working toward rehabilitating his leg to full strength. In just his second competition of the indoor track season Saturday, which came days after he had his knee drained, Kilby won the triple jump state championship (46-2) and placed fourth in the long jump (21-9).

The opportunity to compete in both sports drew Kilby to Delaware State — many coaches asked him to focus on one. Kilby also considered Liberty and the University of Delaware, which does not have a track and field program.

Delaware State's proximity to home provided another point of interest and his family has ties to the school. His grandmother Florence, a Hornet alum, nudged him in Delaware State's direction.

The Hornets went 1-10 overall and 0-5 in the MEAC last fall in its first season under coach Lee Hull.

Of DSU's 13 signees Wednesday, Kilby and Matthews were among six incoming freshmen. The Hornets tapped into the transfer market, including adding former Delaware defensive back Shane Thrift.

Delaware State Feb. 7 signees

Brian Bates Jr., 6-1, 220, LB, Centreville, Va./DeMatha Catholic/Charlotte

Mikal Davis, Jr., 6-0, 200, QB, Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Institute

Demar Jackson, 6-3, 220, TE, Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro

Jordan Jakes, 6-6, 215, WR, Stockbridge, Ga./St. Frances/Indiana/UNLV

Jestus Johnson, 6-3, 315, OL, Laurel, Md./Gonzaga College HS/Virginia

Mario Keanon, 6-2, 295, DL, Elk Grove, Calif./Monterey Trail/Sacramento CC/Tarleton State

Jakwon Kilby, 6-0, 185, RB, Dover, Del./Dover

A'kendre Matthews, 6-3, 185, DB, Seaford, Del./Middletown

Erik Sanchez, 5-11, 185, RB, Philadelphia, Pa,./Saint Joseph's Prep

Shane Thrift, 6-0, 175, DB, Monroeville, Pa./Gateway/Delaware

Antonio Williams, 6-4, 305, OL, Newark, N.J./Shabazz/Wagner

Elijah Williams, 5-9, 175, RB, Richmond, Va./Springs

Aaron Willis, 6-0, 215, LB, Richmond, Va./St. Frances/Tennessee/Houston

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on X and Instagram @holveck_brandon. Follow him on TikTok @bholveck.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Akendre Matthews, Jakwon Kilby sign with Delaware State football