DL Jelani Stafford - UConn’s Triple Threat

[storrsroars]

Jelani (well, the concept of Jelani) just got a mention on the most popular sports talk show in Pgh. In discussing various teams' inability to punch the ball in, co-host Chris Mueller noted: "UConn's got a guy, a huge defensive end, who comes in on offense at the one-yard line and bangs it in. He's automatic. I don't remember his name, but he's even a WPIAL guy (our version of the FCIAC). Why doesn't every team do that?"

 

[ZooCougar]

Jelani (well, the concept of Jelani) just got a mention on the most popular sports talk show in Pgh. In discussing various teams' inability to punch the ball in, co-host Chris Mueller noted: "UConn's got a guy, a huge defensive end, who comes in on offense at the one-yard line and bangs it in. He's automatic. I don't remember his name, but he's even a WPIAL guy (our version of the FCIAC). Why doesn't every team do that?"

I’m not sure every team has an athlete like him. He’s a freaky mix of skill sets.

 

[uconnfan68]

I’m not sure every team has an athlete like him. He’s a freaky mix of skill sets.

They’re going to be ready for him up the middle. Send him in motion and toss a flare pass to him.

 

[huskymedic]

They’re going to be ready for him up the middle. Send him in motion and toss a flare pass to him.

 

[Hamms30]

Ross Tucker was beside himself all game over Stafford May be his favorite college player because of that game.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

 

[RioDog]

One of the things I love about American Football is that it has a place for athletes like JS. What other team sport, or any entertaining sport for that matter, has a role for someone 6' 300 lbs? I'm sure Jalani could throw a shotput (or a caber!) a mile- but in all honesty that's not nearly as fun as watching him play football.

 

[Sole]

I wonder how fast he is…Mora says he’s athletic…I wonder why other teams don’t use a guy that big to run for short yardage…I wouldn’t want to try to tackle some that big

 

[Woof 101]

He is in there to score. But the possibility of injury makes me shudder. What happens to the D if he goes down?

In football they call it next man up.

 

[KryHavok]

In the plays I've seen him run with the ball, he reminds me a bit of Jerome Bettis, big, mobile-ish, and lights up the team.

 

[RSTuthill]

In football they call it next man up.

Yeeeaaah ... and what do they call it when a team doesn't have much depth at that position? Have you figured that one out yet?

 

[storrsroars]

In the plays I've seen him run with the ball, he reminds me a bit of Jerome Bettis, big, mobile-ish, and lights up the team.

But Jerome fumbled in a key moment in a huge game... one of the NFL's greatest plays when Roethisberger tackled the guy who picked up the fumble and whom by all rights should've been in the end zone unimpeded and won the game for the Colts. I couldn't stand Ben, but I'll grant him that this was probably the best single play of his career.

So no, I don't want Jelani to be like Bettis ;-)

 

[KryHavok]

So no, I don't want Jelani to be like Bettis ;-)

Heh, Bettis was just "the bus", but Stafford can be "the bulldozer". He'll move anything on offense or defense. At least that's how he was was described in a 2017 article.
Junior back Jelani Stafford clearing a path for California's success

"Stafford is a bulldozer of a runner. Would-be tacklers often bounce off him"

 

[huskymedic]

 

[pick6s]

Is Jelani Stafford an NFL prospect? I feel like he has actually played much better on the defensive side of the ball since he started getting carries.

 

[Woof 101]

How do we keep this guy for next season?

As JM continually preaches.... NIL money. It's as simple as it gets.

Y'know, that's crap we never used to worry about. My way of dealing with it is "Que sera, sera".

No attack but "Que sera, sera" will have the demise of UConn football sooner than you may think. What crap fans never had to worry about is something now to be concerned with. Having said that if you enjoy sitting in an empty stadium game after game taking another beating then I agree. Que sera,sera, but you will be singing it at home watching other teams rather than UConn.

win enough games so uconn goes to bowl game

The post you replied to concerns players that may leave after this season. Love loyal fans but do understand we are not going to a bowl game this year.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Sole]

Glad he’s back!!!

 

[DW1361]

Some bubble wrap aught to help him….. Let him have some fun and help the team as well. They should try having him be a decoy or block like a fullback. How about an end sweep and let him mow down a db or LB. Or perhaps we should not blitz or be aggressive at all. Oh man, someone might get hurt!

 

[Coach J]

Some bubble wrap aught to help him….. Let him have some fun and help the team as well. They should try having him be a decoy or block like a fullback. How about an end sweep and let him mow down a db or LB. Or perhaps we should not blitz or be aggressive at all. Oh man, someone might get hurt!

Put him in on 3rd and short fake a handoff and run a naked boot - and you got yourself a game winner.

 

[DW1361]

Put him in on 3rd and short fake a handoff and run a naked boot - and you got yourself a game winner.

How about put him in as the wildcat and have him pass for the game winner? No one would see that coming

 

[huskymedic]

 

[J187Money]

My son works at Youngstown State (trainer for XC/TF) - was there to visit him and was in the diner next to his apartment in UCONN gear - one of the waitresses (think was a GF/former GF) saw my gear and we talked about him. They love their FB in OH.