For BB only fans...

[sdhusky]

time to get on the FB bandwagon.

Just sayin'...

 

[BUConn10]

explain

 

[intlzncster]

time to get on the FB bandwagon.

Just sayin'...

What'd we sign the next Johnny Football or something?

 

[Stainmaster]

explain

National Signing Day was yesterday. Excitement is running wild throughout the football fanbase.

 

[BUConn10]

National Signing Day was yesterday. Excitement is running wild throughout the football fanbase.

That's what I assumed, are the recruits we signed above our usual level of talent?

 

[intlzncster]

National Signing Day was yesterday. Excitement is running wild throughout the football fanbase.

So did we get Johnny Football 2.0 or not?

 

[Stainmaster]

That's what I assumed, are the recruits we signed above our usual level of talent?

Depends on the metrics. The recruiting websites are incredibly bearish and don't have our class rated highly at all. However, the more savvy observer who sees through those politics has reason to be excited. Out of the 14 non-special teams players in the class, 11 were offered by at least one P5 school, with many of those receiving much more. We had kids who were getting calls from LSU, Nebraska, and other programs of a similar nature, yet they chose to stay on board with us. It's also Diaco's strongest effort with in-state kids thus far -- it isn't often that we see CT football recruits turn down schools like WVU, UVA, or Wisconsin and come here instead.

 

[Stainmaster]

So did we get Johnny Football 2.0 or not?

No. But the guy we got will be special by the time he graduates. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2727197/donovan-williams

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I understand if you're not a football fan but we need to support the football program as much as possible. The one thing we can all agree on is that the AAC sucks and the most direct path out of this conference is with a good football team. So go to a game or two in the fall. Everyone likes tailgating, drinking and grilling. And who knows, if we put together a nice football season this year the Big 12 may come a'knocking.

 

[upstater]

I understand if you're not a football fan but we need to support the football program as much as possible. The one thing we can all agree on is that the AAC sucks and the most direct path out of this conference is with a good football team. So go to a game or two in the fall. Everyone likes tailgating, drinking and grilling. And who knows, if we put together a nice football season this year the Big 12 may come a'knocking.

AAC sucks for bball. For football, it's actually OK.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

AAC sucks for bball. For football, it's actually OK.

True, but despite the quality it still "sucks" to be in this conference. I think we can all agree on that.

 

[Huskyforlife]

AAC sucks for bball. For football, it's actually OK.

Until Navy and Memphis come back down to earth.

That being said, the OP is right. Support the team, Diaco turned a pile of nothing last year into 7 wins. There's hope.

 

[sdhusky]

No. But the guy we got will be special by the time he graduates. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2727197/donovan-williams

He looks incredible on his highlights. Tall, fast, accurate, has touch and a strong arm. He is on a national list of the biggest steals on signing day.

I also think Rose will be a beast of a target for him. Very excited about him too.

Also very excited about Skanes as well. All 3 of these offensive players had multiple offers not just from P5 schools but high level P5 schools.

Skanes will play WR at UConn. Because of injuries he had to play QB last year and only led his team to an Il State title.

Quayvon Skanes, 5-10, 175, WR, Chicago, Ill./Wendall Phillips Academy

Named to the 2015 Chicago Tribune All-State team...team won Illinois Class 4A championship as a senior becoming the first Public League team to win a state championship...was named the Chicago Tribune/WGN Athlete of the Month for November 2015...played quarterbacks his senior year...rushed for 141 yards in state title game with four touchdowns...also passed for 44 yards and a TD..rushed for 1,458 yards in senior years with 36 touchdowns...also had 504 passing yards for 13 TDs...caught 41 passes as a junior for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns...team was 12-2 in junior year and advanced to 4A title game...also on track and field team.

 

[FartMan69]

Until Navy and Memphis come back down to earth.

That being said, the OP is right. Support the team, Diaco turned a pile of nothing last year into 7 wins. There's hope.

Eh Navy's been pretty good for like 100 years or whatever they'll always be a top team in the conference. Memphis will go down hill eventually but I'm sure another program will step up. Hopefully we'll be out of this heap before we find out who that will be.

 

[Gringo]

I like seeing the football updates here. I don't get over to the football board much during the offseason. Nice to hear we had a good recruiting class.

 

[Walker11]

This seems like a great time to hop on the wagon. How many returning starters do we have?

 

[Husky25]

This seems like a great time to hop on the wagon. How many returning starters do we have?

UConn loses only 7 seniors (1 offense/6 defense) off the 2-deep roster from the bowl game.

For those who don't know, the two deep theoretically illustrates the 44 players (not counting punt/kick/return personnel) who should have a significant on-field contributions. I say theoretically because the two deep illustrates a starter and a distinct backup at each position. In reality, one player can backup multiple positions and just because a player is not on the 2 deep doesn't mean he won't play.

That said, a significant number of contributors were sophomores.

 

[gtcam]

That's what I assumed, are the recruits we signed above our usual level of talent?

I think what is important is that they have begun to recruit players in specialty areas that they either lacked proficiency or a back-up. Positions like long snapper, punter, Kickoff/punt return specialists, etc...
The kid from Chicago scored 49 TDs last season - I dont care who you are playing thats knowing how to cross the line - he will be a return specialist also and was recruited by the Big 10 schools
As usual UConn got a good amount of 3 start and 2 star players but this program needs to develop what they get rather than plug in instant talent - those guys aren't coming to UConn presently

 

[nomar]

Sorry for the dumb question, but is UConn ever going to have a decent QB? Is this Williams kid going to play QB?

 

[intlzncster]

Eh Navy's been pretty good for like 100 years or whatever they'll always be a top team in the conference. Memphis will go down hill eventually but I'm sure another program will step up. Hopefully we'll be out of this heap before we find out who that will be.

Why will Memphis go down hill? They can be decent in any given year, no?

 

[intlzncster]

No. But the guy we got will be special by the time he graduates. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2727197/donovan-williams

Cheers for the answer. Obviously, I was only kidding, but I do think UCONN could really use that kind of dynamic play maker who gets the fans on their feet on the regular. THAT would draw fans more than anything. To put it bluntly, from a casual observer's perspective, the style of football UCONN has always seemed to play is pretty damn boring to watch.

 

[Husky25]

Sorry for the dumb question, but is UConn ever going to have a decent QB? Is this Williams kid going to play QB?

UConn has about 5 players in this class who played QB in high school, but Williams was recruited to play QB at UConn. The others were recruited to play receiver, tight end, cornerback (defense) safety (defense), etc.

That said Williams is not on campus yet. As we speak he is 4th on the depth chart, at best and will probably Redshirt in 2016, which is not a bad thing.

 

[Husky25]

Why will Memphis go down hill? They can be decent in any given year, no?

They lost their coach, who went to Virginia Tech, and their quarterback who entered the NFL draft as a Redshirt Junior.

 

[Deadrody]

As usual UConn got a good amount of 3 start and 2 star players but this program needs to develop what they get rather than plug in instant talent - those guys aren't coming to UConn presently

There's actually nothing wrong with that. A sizable number of players on NFL rosters were 2 and 3 star recruits out of high school. What matters is identifying which of those 2 and 3 star recruits are under-valued and have higher potential.

 

[nomar]

UConn has about 5 players in this class who played QB in high school, but Williams was recruited to play QB at UConn. The others were recruited to play receiver, tight end, cornerback (defense) safety (defense), etc.

That said Williams is not on campus yet. As we speak he is 4th on the depth chart, at best and will probably Redshirt in 2016, which is not a bad thing.

Thanks. Good to know.

I have to say I'm curious why you wrote "(defense)" after cornerback and safety...