Golden Flashes putting finishing touches ahead of "transformative" season
KENT, Ohio - As Kent State University flies through Spring Camp with the season on the horizon, the deeper questions approaching the 2026 season are starting to rear some answers. Some positive, some … not so much.
The insertion of new offensive coordinator Khalil Prince, replacing Clay Patterson early this year, has infused a new level of hesitant excitement on campus. His spread, quarterback-friendly offense, has pushed some of the roster players to improve as the Golden Flashes look to improve on their 5-7 record achieved last season as they look to now compete in the Mid-American Conference.
The team will only go as far as junior quarterback Dru DeShields will take them is the running analysis from pundits post-Spring camp. Not exactly the most earth-shattering diagnosis, but the quarterback fields adequate stats last season during the team’s 5-7 run under former offensive coordinator, Clay Patterson. He started in 11 games and threw for 2,030 passing yards and 18 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He added three touchdowns on the ground, but DeShields isn’t known for his legs. Though, it is worth mentioning he has been working on throwing on the run and picked up some speed through the off-season.
“Coach Prince wants me to be able to extend plays with my legs - give some of the athletes out there the opportunity to make some plays when the playcall breaks down. Being able to add that dimension to my game could be a real difference maker for us out there.” said DeShields during his post-practice press availability.
In the backfield, the team turns over a lot of their room. Out goes the likes of leading rusher Gavin Garcia (647 rushing yards, 4.4 AVG, 3 touchdowns), who opted to hop into the portal and land elsewhere while backup Jordan Nubin (253 rushing yards, 1 touchdown) disappointed after being named a Pre-season Phil Steele All-Mac Third team member and promptly returned to Minnesota via the portal as well.
Judging by the approach during spring ball, the Golden Flashes will be going with a running back committee, with former Illinois State transfer Mason King coming over for his final collegiate season. Former three-star Cincinnati commit Jakorion Caffey adds a touch of blazing speed and shiftiness to the running back room. True sophomore Desmond Baldwin and leading remaining rusher senior Donovan Delaney Jr. round out the rotation along with redshirt sophomore Ayden Harris.
The offensive weapons through the air is vast and it begins and ends with the athletic capabilities of senior Da’realyst Clark. The reigning MAC Special Teams Player of the Year is fresh off leading the nation with two kick return touchdowns. He donned the Jet Award Preseason Watch List as one of the nation’s top returners, but will need to star as a wide receiver for Kent State to compete.
“He’s walking, talking electricity and we’re going to need him to be a more well-rounded player for this offense,” said Coach Prince. “He’s up to the challenge and we’re looking forward to what he can bring to the team in this offensive scheme.”
Joining him is sophomore wide receiver Wayne Harris, the team’s returning leader in receiving yards now that Cade Wolford has transferred to Cincinnati and Da’Shawn Martin has made his way to Virginia. Ardell Banks and his 6-foot-4 frame will be instrumental in down-the-field play considering Clark (5-foot-10) and Harris (5-foot-9) aren’t the typical jump ball-winning receiver archetype. Tight end Terik Mulder returns after a decent season with 19 catches for 198 receiving yards and a score to finish out his high school career.
Sophomore tackle Tyler Meadows - a gargantuan and intimidating athlete standing at 6-foot-8, 340 pounds - is expected to anchor the Golden Flashes offensive line on the DeShields’ blind side. The team, however, is led by left guard and offensive captain Dustyn Morell. He returns for one more go-around and enters the 2026 season as a Pre-season All-MAC Second team after starting 11 games for the Golden Flashes last year. The remainder of the offensive line, namely on the right side, remains a rotating question mark of bodies looking to cement the look.
The team continues to sort out the details and figure out what their finished product will look like as Week 1 continues to roll closer and closer towards the horizon. Kent State will travel to Columbia, South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks to start their season.
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