UConn Football is full swing and there's no shortage of coverage as Graham Chamberlain addresses all your questions about the Huskies football program via Twitter.
The QB battle is still ongoing and won’t be determined this spring. All five QBs are receiving reps, but the competition is expected to consist of Zion Turner, Ta’Quan Roberson, and Joe Fagnano. Roberson is still recovering from last year’s ACL tear and only participating in 7v7 drills but should be ready to go for summer ball. Fagnano is a bigger QB, but hasn’t exhibited the mobility that Turner has. Coach Charlton said after practice the QBs are “equal.”
RBs are rotating between Rosa, Brewton, Houston, and Mitchell. Rosa left today’s practice with an ankle sprain, but is expected to be okay. Similar to the QBs, each of them are getting a relatively equal amount of reps. That of course will change as September gets closer.
WRs are healthy for now, and expecting Nigel Fitzgerald to rejoin the team in the summer after recovering from an ACL tear. Charlton also alluded to a mystery player who will be joining the team in May. But for now, the WR is healthy, but crowded. Last year’s leader in receptions and yards, Aaron Turner, will be getting looks on the outside, Charlton said, a big change after being in the slot the past couple years.
The tight end position was and still is in need of upgrading according to Charlton. Hansen is a bigger TE than anyone on the roster now, at 6-3 252. He’s been getting reps at fullback too in goal line situations. He’s expected to be more off the line, and will be a big blocker on the outside for guys like Turner. Justin Joly of course is more a receiving type of TE, and that won’t change. Both, however, are strong in the passing game, so expect more TE action this season.
The sense I get regarding DC is this situation where Mora is HC and DC will continue until it’s either unsustainable, unsuccessful, or both. The savings on salary have increased the support staff, specifically in the recruiting area, so I don’t see a change coming any time soon.
Charlton mentioned that last year was tough, obviously, with injuries, but he’s been working on acclimating to the players that they have. That will continue this year, but he’s hoping to acclimate to having more players available, rather than fewer.
Spring practice of course ends next Saturday April 22nd. The guys will stay on campus through the summer taking courses before summer ball starts. Usually the first week of August or last week of July is when summer ball starts.
As for the roster it’s never exactly “set.” Last year QB Brayden Zermeno joined the team prior to week 3. Players could still commit coming out of the portal, especially if anyone catches the staff’s eye in this current open period. Speaking of which, the portal is open until April 30th, meaning players can enter the portal, but anyone already in the portal can commit anytime.
According to Charlton, Chris Fortin, Yakiri Walker, and Christian Haynes are all taking snaps at center. He wants to have as many as guys as possible that could snap. With that said, I feel it comes down to Fortin and Walker at center.
Shor has been rotating in like everyone else since it’s spring. Hard to say at this time if he will be in the mix after spring.
McFadden is back and competing with Ruelas for starting kicker. He was taking some punts earlier in camp, but has since just been kicking.
So last year I said the breakout player would be Nigel Fitzgerald, then he got hurt. So I’m hopeful that was a coincidence and I’m not a jinx. I like Jalen Mitchell, the RB transfer from Louisville to have a big year. He’s stout, but also speed. He’ll be tough to bring down, especially if he can build up speed in the open field.
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