Spring Practice: Hear from some of the newest Huskies
UConn completed its second spring practice in front a large crowd of recruits inside the Shenkman Training Center. Below is what some of the newcomers had to say about their time in Storrs so far.
Joseph Fagnano, QB (Maine)
On his choosing UConn as a transfer destination:
“I was with Coach Charlton in Maine, we have a good relationship. He has an underdog mentality that you wanna have yourself, and makes you wanna be better. Once I met the guys I knew I made the right decision. These guys are the best group of guys I’ve been around.”
On playing other transfers Noah Plack and Ray Eldridge
“0-2 against Noah, he brought that up. Really good player, he’s actually my roommate now, I remember scouting him and thinking I need to keep an eye on him. Ray is always smiling, brings energy to practice, big guy. Always had to keep an eye on those guys.”
On leaving a starting spot at Maine to compete at UConn
“I decided to take a chance on myself. Thought I could go to the FBS, and thought UConn would be a good fit. Some nerves, but the players made the transition easier.”
Teddy Williams, WR (Salisbury/Cromwell-Portland)
On the first practices:
“Feels great to be up here before all the other 2023s, makes me feel like they really wanted me to come. Otherwise they wouldn’t have had me come up early.”
On playing with CT HS players:
“Awesome seeing guys from CT. Guys like Vic (Rosa), Cam (Edwards), Jackson (Mitchell) and all them from CT. Feels really good that we can get homegrown kids in the program.”
On playing for his home state:
“Means everything. Been dreaming about it for a while now. Got the chance to come and couldn’t pass it up.”
Eriq Gilyard, LB (UCF/Kansas)
On the difference from UConn in 2018-19 while he was at UCF, and now
“Not too many guys on that team then here, but talking with those who were, the mindset is different. Believing in themselves, and taking that out and competing with anyone on the field.”
Comparison between UConn and UCF/Kansas
“Facilities-wise, this is the best facilities I’ve ever had the chance to be at. Lots of resources, so many resources in this building. Not just machines, but coaches.”
On choosing UConn:
“Coach Mora is a great coach, and Coach Diabate (LB coach). Building that connection was big for me. I got to meet them and spend time with them, and I knew then.”
Jalen Mitchell, RB (Louisville)
On choosing UConn:
“Talking to Coach Charlton and Coach Mora. They liked the way I run outside zone, but also picked apart the film and let me what I could do to advance my level of play. I felt like them taking the time to analyze my running style really drove me to the university.“
On the backfield:
“Very exciting. It’ll give me a chance to level up my performance. We all have a different running style, gives me an opportunity to pick apart different things from them.”
How UConn compares to Louisville:
“If I give my honest opinion, everything is better. UConn probably has better facilities, not to knock Louisville because their’s is amazing as well, but in terms of things that are necessary in football, strength and conditioning, training table, they have the necessities here. Whereas Louisville had an abundance of things, but not necessarily the necessities you need to perform better.”
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