The proximity was perfect and paved Dorian Rutledge’s path to a Delaware football scholarship.

The Middletown High cornerback was the lone First State product among the Blue Hens’ 19 high school Class of 2026 scholarship recipients on Dec. 3.

Rutledge verbally committed to Delaware in May and stuck and signed with the Blue Hens despite having a slew of high-level offers, including from Duke, Boston College, Maryland, Pitt and West Virginia.

Because he was nearby, being able to develop a personal relationship with Delaware coaches and players during frequent visits quickly gave Rutledge comfort.

“I just started going up there, taking trips, for meetings with the players, coaches,” he said. “I was able to build a strong connection, and it’s been there since.” Need a news break? Check

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