It is very difficult to know how good these kids are because the coaches care very little about teaching them the details that make all the difference. For instance, Pruitt has great size for a DE, and in fact his size may be a reason why he doesn't have the quickness to rush the passer from the edge. But what is glaring about his play was a complete inability to set the edge on outside runs. It is galling to see a player with his size (much bigger than your prototypical college DE) unable to set the edge. This is not a talent problem. It's a coaching problem. much smaller and weaker players do it.
Unless Uconn was deathly afraid of funneling runners up the middle toward linebackers like Smallwood, I see absolutely no reason why they would take an advantage (big DTs and DEs who may be slow, but they have bulk) and create a disadvantage. Maryland was running free on the edges all day long for huge gains.
..........and I really only care about the basketball results this weekend!
