2017 Initial Depth Chart

[ktuck911]

It looks like many players lost weight. This could be to improve speed and quickness or some fudging of the numbers both last year and this year. I think it is to improve speed and quickness.

Here are the numbers:

OL
Peart 304 lbs to 300 lbs (-4)
Vechery 309 to 310 (-1)
Rutherford 311 to 312 (+1)
Leone 337 to 316 (-21)
Crozier 300 to 290 (-10)
Oak 295 to 285 (-10)
DeGeorge 283 to 286 (+3)
Hashemi 289 to 293 (+4)
Hopkins 311 to 300 (-11)
TE
Bloom 261 to 253 (-8)
Myers 250 to 245 (-5)
RB
Newsome 180 to 180 (0)
N Hopkins 218 to 212 (-6)
Thompson 185 to 182 (-3)
WR
Skanes 171 to 175 (+4)
Davis 235 to 235 (0)
McLean 220 to 210 (-10)
Williams 215 to 212 (-3)
Mayala 200 to 203 (+3)
Donaldson 205 to 205 (0)
QB
Shirreffs 226 to 210 (-16)
DL
Ormsby 256 to 264 (+8)
Atkins 283 to 266 (-17)
Fatukasi 310 to 303 (-7)
Murphy 289 to 280 (-9)
Carrezola 255 to 260 (+5)
Lawley 275 to 275 (0)
LB
Joseph 242 to 232 (-10)
Britton 228 to 225 (-3)
Stapleton 252 to 230 (-22)
Hahn 202 to 205 (+3)
DB
Watkins 200 to 197 (-3)
Summers 185 to 190 (+5)
Herring-Wilson 191 to 190 (-1)
Coyle 205 to 202 (-3)
McAllister 197 to 189 (-8)
Terry 206 to 212 (+6)
Bell 180 to 175 (-5)

Looks like there's a couple more weight updates that you're missing...

Newsome is up to 190lbs
Lawley is up to 290lbs

I know these kids show an increase in weight but I think that helps Newsome as our starting RB a bunch, especially with Edsall saying "he's a different person" now. I take that as a positive. As in, we could potentially see some of that type of production he put up in HS...

As for Lawley, we'll need that 290lbs in the rotation up front on D.. Hopefully his game has gone to the next level as well.

 

[UConnJim]

The youth is worrisome, but may the best kids play. It'll pay dividends down the road but is concerning for this year.

Actually, the team appears pretty experienced, especially the starters.

Offensive starters:

RSr or Sr: 4
RJr or Jr: 4
RSo: 1
RFr: 2

Defensive starters:

RSr or Sr: 8
RJr or Jr: 2
RFr: 1

I'm more concerned that although the starters are experienced, they are inexperienced and may not fit the new offensive and defensive schemes.

When I look at the 2 deep, I see a lack of RSo. Why? Diaco played a some of the 2015 class as true freshmen and the 2015 recruiting class, Diaco's first full recruiting class, has problems.

2015 Recruiting Class:

Total recruits: 23
Not at UConn: 7 (including 4 out of top 9 recruits)
Starters: 4
2 Deep: 4
Not in 2 Deep: 6
Injured: 1
Graduated: 1

The 2014 and 2016 recruiting classes seem to be better, although PP's recruits in 2014 are doing better:

2014 Recruiting Class:

Total recruits: 15 (8 Diaco, 7 PP)
Not at UConn: 2 (1 Diaco, 1 PP)
Starters: 8 (2 Diaco, 6 PP)
2 Deep: 4 (4 Diaco)
Not in 2 Deep: 0
Injured: 1 (1 Diaco)

2016 Recruiting Class:

Total recruits: 16
Not at UConn: 0
Starters: 4
2 Deep: 7
Not in 2 Deep: 5
Injured: 0

 

[UConnJim]

Looks like there's a couple more weight updates that you're missing...

Newsome is up to 190lbs
Lawley is up to 290lbs

I know these kids show an increase in weight but I think that helps Newsome as our starting RB a bunch, especially with Edsall saying "he's a different person" now. I take that as a positive. As in, we could potentially see some of that type of production he put up in HS...

As for Lawley, we'll need that 290lbs in the rotation up front on D.. Hopefully his game has gone to the next level as well.

On the weights, I went with the 2 deep listed weights vs the roster listed weights.. The 2 deep that UConn put out says Newsome is at 180 lbs, but the roster says he is 190 lbs. Same with Lawley as he is listed at 275 lbs on the 2 deep and 290 lbs on the roster. Crozier and Carrezola also have different listed weights. Crozier lis listed at 290 lbs on the 2 deep and 300 lbs on the roster. Carrezola is listed at 260 lbs on the 2 deep and 255 lbs on roster.

I think the point on weights is that it seems that players have lost weight to improve speed and quickness, but we will see when the games start!

 

[FDNY99]

Hahn at LB. Probably moved to add back the speed we lost at LB with Diggs on the sideline.

I heard through a friend that lives near Hahn and knows the family that he was moved to LB the week before the open practice. @businesslawyer told you he was moved.

 

[businesslawyer]

Give me speed versus size 6 times a week and twice on Saturday.

Looking at the depth chart for next year: man we better hope a lot of the young kids can play on the defensive side of the ball.

This is what I have been saying since HCRE's second hire. There can't be any "one year for everyone to learn the system" year, because if Diggs takes Britton's place when he returns, we have 9 senior starters on defense. The goal absolutely positively has to be to at least get back to .500 and a minor bowl this year, because there will be a step backwards in 2018 and probably 2019 as the prior staff's failure to recruit flows through the system.

 

[businesslawyer]

I heard through a friend that lives near Hahn and knows the family that he was moved to LB the week before the open practice. @businesslawyer told you he was moved.

Did I doubt you? Would I doubt you?

 

[FDNY99]

Did I doubt you? Would I doubt you?

LOL..yes...and yes...which is ok! He will end up getting into 235-245 lb range and stay at LB

 

[kris1]

While I think most of you are right about the coaching staff wanting guys to be faster, quicker, more agile. It has less to do with actually trying to lose weight and more to do with gaining lean muscle mass. A muscular 220lbs looks much different then a dumpy 220lbs. Lean muscle mass is going to burn more fat. So you can be bigger and stronger but actually weigh less, because of a decrease in overall body fat. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the training regimen under HCRE has been vastly different then that of the last regime. More specifically, it's geared toward an increase in muscular strength and endurance. I'd be more interested in seeing each players change in body fat %.

 

[SubbaBub]

It's both. Crozier and Hopkins both lost about 12 pounds each from last season. Peart is down a few as well. Dan Oak is down 10 pounds.

I like to see the OL with the possible exception of the C to be 3 bills plus. The guards should be 315 plus. The FR at guard is listed at what 285? You can block guys if you have good technique but it is hard to move people unless you are freakishly strong. Thinking about short yardage. Is this another year that we can't get one yard if we need it?

 

[Jimdish255]

I like to see the OL with the possible exception of the C to be 3 bills plus. The guards should be 315 plus. The FR at guard is listed at what 285? You can block guys if you have good technique but it is hard to move people unless you are freakishly strong. Thinking about short yardage. Is this another year that we can't get one yard if we need it?

My only weight concern is Cam getting driven back to the QB in passing situations or against a road grading run stopper in the middle. If it doesn't work out you might see Leone, who's dropped some weight but still has the bulk to create a standoff against most guys. Otherwise give me the speed and lean muscle to get to the 2nd level guys and hold blocks on the move. Tempo will start to wear down the big fellas if we can string a few first downs together.

I'm also interested to see the rotation on our interior D line and how many snaps a guy like Murphy gets. I like keeping those guys fresh.

 

[huskysupporter]

I like to see the OL with the possible exception of the C to be 3 bills plus. The guards should be 315 plus. The FR at guard is listed at what 285? You can block guys if you have good technique but it is hard to move people unless you are freakishly strong. Thinking about short yardage. Is this another year that we can't get one yard if we need it?

You don't need to move people backwards. Just have to use good technique to open creases. O Line is a game of angles.

 

[kris1]

My only weight concern is Cam getting driven back to the QB in passing situations or against a road grading run stopper in the middle. If it doesn't work out you might see Leone, who's dropped some weight but still has the bulk to create a standoff against most guys. Otherwise give me the speed and lean muscle to get to the 2nd level guys and hold blocks on the move. Tempo will start to wear down the big fellas if we can string a few first downs together.

I'm also interested to see the rotation on our interior D line and how many snaps a guy like Murphy gets. I like keeping those guys fresh.

I wouldn't be too concerned about it. We play 10 teams that run a base 4-3 front and two play a 3-3-5. In a 4-3 Over front the DT will line up in a 3-technique on the outside shoulder of the RG with B-gap responsibility. So, Cam would have help from the RT. In a 4-3 Under front the NT will shade the center with A-gap responsibility. So, Cam would help the center. Lineman always have inside gap responsibilities first on pass pro then work to their next threat.

Basically, Cam will rarely have a defender head up on him.

 

[Chin Diesel]

You don't need to move people backwards. Just have to use good technique to open creases. O Line is a game of angles.

All about angles, misdirection and abating momentum of defender.

Up to the 2 yard line or 4th and 1 with 2 min to go.

Then you need to go hat on hat and drive 'em back.

 

[UConnJim]

All about angles, misdirection and abating momentum of defender.

Up to the 2 yard line or 4th and 1 with 2 min to go.

Then you need to go hat on hat and drive 'em back.

Low man wins.

 

[hardcorehusky]

The weight drops are y design. The previous staff overemphasized the weight room warrior and we were the slowest team on the field. By a lot.

RE and the new training program emphasizes speed. Have to drop weight to become faster and do different exercises to become more flexible.

I do not worry about the line because the plays will come out so quickly, the D won't be set. The previous regimes liked to let the D get set so they could recognize the play and then blow past our line. We are thin at LB and will be young- but we will be faster and will be coached by real coaches. It will be a bowl year!!

 

[huskymedic]

 

[B1GEast]

I have purposely refrained from reading any blog posts or following the off season much, I just want the season to unfold and hope that the team plays hard, has fun and achieves their goals. Cautiously optimistic

 

[Chief00]

You don't need to move people backwards. Just have to use good technique to open creases. O Line is a game of angles.

When one listens to Randy the word he keeps using is physicality

 

[Chief00]

I like not using Newsome on returns. Keeps him away from some high speed collisions and allows him some more time to rest for offense.

 

[SubbaBub]

When one listens to Randy the word he keeps using is physicality

On this, Randy hasn't changed one but. He wants to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. To me, that means big, physical, tough dudes.

 

[Nostical]

I like not using Newsome on returns.

So do I. This was one of the dumbest moves by Diaco. We were thin at RB and didn't have the luxury of a Dixon to complement a Todman. To risk our #1RB returning kickoffs on a team that was ill prepared (and uncommitted) to returning them was almost as insane as never returning a punt.

 

[Excalibur]

So do I. This was one of the dumbest moves by Diaco. We were thin at RB and didn't have the luxury of a Dixon to complement a Todman. To risk our #1RB returning kickoffs on a team that was ill prepared (and uncommitted) to returning them was almost as insane as never returning a punt.

Plus, he wasn't very good at it. You could defend the move if he was an all-world kick returner but he wasn't.

 

[huskymedic]