Happy that Donovan Williams is playing now!

[J187Money]

This is pure speculation But as a side to the discussion of to burn or not to burn, the thought occurred to me that if I was DW father after watching arguably the worst offense in FBS this year and I got any inkling that my son was sitting behind BS in 2017, I would probably recommend that he finds a better program or at least go the JC route like Lagow did and who is currently the starting QB at Indiana. Forget about saving DW's Red Shirt, for all we know by naming DW the stater Diaco may have saved DW from leaving the program entirely. Again just a guess but it happened with Michael Nebrich, Richard Lagow and Kivon Taylor and if DW was not given the opportunity to star, given his talent and upside, it may have been Sayonara baby!

The New Haven Register Blogs: Ramblings from The Runway: QB Taylor leaves UConn

Soph QB Nebrich leaves UConn football team

Freshman QB Richard Lagow Leaving UConn; Heads To Oklahoma State » True Blue UConn

If this is the reason, I get it. But he might decide to leave anyway after spending 3 games playing for this coaching staff and behind this OL.

 

[bobbyinaz]

This is pure speculation But as a side to the discussion of to burn or not to burn, the thought occurred to me that if I was DW father after watching arguably the worst offense in FBS this year and I got any inkling that my son was sitting behind BS in 2017, I would probably recommend that he finds a better program or at least go the JC route like Lagow did and who is currently the starting QB at Indiana. Forget about saving DW's Red Shirt, for all we know by naming DW the stater Diaco may have saved DW from leaving the program entirely. Again just a guess but it happened with Michael Nebrich, Richard Lagow and Kivon Taylor and if DW was not given the opportunity to start, given his talent and upside, it may have been Sayonara baby!

The New Haven Register Blogs: Ramblings from The Runway: QB Taylor leaves UConn

Soph QB Nebrich leaves UConn football team

Freshman QB Richard Lagow Leaving UConn; Heads To Oklahoma State » True Blue UConn

This should be called EXTREME speculation.

Based on his offers coming out of high school there likely aren't a whole lot of other options unless the thought of playing at Fordham or Delaware is appealing to him

 

[huskymedic]

This is pure speculation But as a side to the discussion of to burn or not to burn, the thought occurred to me that if I was DW father after watching arguably the worst offense in FBS this year and I got any inkling that my son was sitting behind BS in 2017, I would probably recommend that he finds a better program or at least go the JC route like Lagow did and who is currently the starting QB at Indiana. Forget about saving DW's Red Shirt, for all we know by naming DW the stater Diaco may have saved DW from leaving the program entirely. Again just a guess but it happened with Michael Nebrich, Richard Lagow and Kivon Taylor and if DW was not given the opportunity to start, given his talent and upside, it may have been Sayonara baby!

The New Haven Register Blogs: Ramblings from The Runway: QB Taylor leaves UConn

Soph QB Nebrich leaves UConn football team

Freshman QB Richard Lagow Leaving UConn; Heads To Oklahoma State » True Blue UConn

This is a huge reach... Each situation was different. Taylor was recruited by different staff and had off field issues. Lagow was recruited by a different staff and had second thoughts to start with. Nebrich was recruited by Edsall/Moorhead and followed him based on depth chart.

 

[UConnNick]

Trying to figure out what goes on in Coach Disastro's brain is a losing proposition, just like any game he coaches.

 

[J187Money]

Trying to figure out what goes on in Coach Disastro's brain is a losing proposition, just like any game he coaches.

LMAO Disastro

 

[Confident Carl]

This is a huge reach... Each situation was different. Taylor was recruited by different staff and had off field issues. Lagow was recruited by a different staff and had second thoughts to start with. Nebrich was recruited by Edsall/Moorhead and followed him based on depth chart.

Don't think it is a HUGE reach. If I were Diaco, I would be concerned about losing him. I began by saying it was speculation but if DW is as talented as advertised, if I were his Dad, I would want the best for my son. I would definitely be shopping!

1. He is taking over an offense that is averaging a nation-low 16.5 points per game. I believe his High school coach would urge
him to get out of Dodge if he wasn't given the keys.

I would be asking Diaco and staff some serious questions about plans. Especially after his High school coach Tony Lilly
had this to say:

"He [Williams] was the biggest miss in the state of Virginia," Lilly went on to say about schools like Virginia and Penn State who passed on the 6'4" 215-lb true freshman. And Lilly should know. Following a stellar high school career in Virginia, he went on to star in college with the Florida Gators before the Denver Broncos selected him in the 3rd round of the 1984 NFL Draft. Lilly's final game came in Super Bowl XXII.

William's predecessor at C.D. Hylton, QB Travon McMillan ended up at Virginia Tech. During the recruiting process, Lilly called Williams an even bigger prospect. So it's no reason the Huskies coaching staff was exuberant when he committed in June of 2015. And they made sure to stay in touch with Williams until signing day, including visiting on multiple occasions.

FYI these are Travon McMillan's stats the past two years at VA Tech. He is a 1,000+ yd running back

CAREER STATS RUSHING RECEIVING
SEASON ATT YDS AVG LNG TD REC YDS AVG LNG TD
2016........ 123.. 566.. 4.6... 69..... 4... 9.... 87... 9.7.... 22... 2
2015........ 200. 1042. 5.2... 63..... 7..... 12 64... 5.3.... 19... 1

 

[huskymedic]

Don't think it is a HUGE reach. If I were Diaco, I would be concerned about losing him. I began by saying it was speculation but if DW is as talented as advertised, if I were his Dad, I would want the best for my son. I would definitely be shopping!

1. He is taking over an offense that is averaging a nation-low 16.5 points per game. I believe his High school coach would urge
him to get out of Dodge if he wasn't given the keys.

I would be asking Diaco and staff some serious questions about plans. Especially after his High school coach Tony Lilly
had this to say:

"He [Williams] was the biggest miss in the state of Virginia," Lilly went on to say about schools like Virginia and Penn State who passed on the 6'4" 215-lb true freshman. And Lilly should know. Following a stellar high school career in Virginia, he went on to star in college with the Florida Gators before the Denver Broncos selected him in the 3rd round of the 1984 NFL Draft. Lilly's final game came in Super Bowl XXII.

William's predecessor at C.D. Hylton, QB Travon McMillan ended up at Virginia Tech. During the recruiting process, Lilly called Williams an even bigger prospect. So it's no reason the Huskies coaching staff was exuberant when he committed in June of 2015. And they made sure to stay in touch with Williams until signing day, including visiting on multiple occasions.

FYI these are Travon McMillan's stats the past two years at VA Tech. He is a 1,000+ yd running back

CAREER STATS RUSHING RECEIVING
SEASON ATT YDS AVG LNG TD REC YDS AVG LNG TD
2016... 123.. 566.. 4.6... 69..... 4... 9.... 87... 9.7.... 22... 2
2015... 200. 1042. 5.2... 63..... 7..... 12 64... 5.3.... 19... 1

I'm well versed on DW. You left out the parts about him being tutored by Marvin Graves back when he was @ Archbishop Carroll. Of course his head coach is going to rave about him. He's by all reports a quality person.

I'm not saying he doesn't have the potential to be good - I'm saying that the contrived ultimatum conspiracy stuff is a reach.

 

[Confident Carl]

I'm well versed on DW. You left out the parts about him being tutored by Marvin Graves back when he was @ Archbishop Carroll. Of course his head coach is going to rave about him. He's by all reports a quality person.

I'm not saying he doesn't have the potential to be good - I'm saying that the contrived ultimatum conspiracy stuff is a reach.

You call it a reach, I am calling it risk management. I didn't call it a conspiracy, you did. I was careful to call it speculation, or something to ponder, let's not get carried away. So are you saying having lost three quality (2 anyway) QB's for lack of playing time, we shouldn't be reminded of that. Never could happen again???

 

[Ready4action]

Wow some heavy stuff here quite a bit to process. Who knows how this journey ends for DW and the team as a whole. DW will be successful if the coaching staff smartens up and teach a road house style of football we need these kids to play angry and with wreckless abandonment!

 

[huskymedic]

So are you saying having lost three quality (2 anyway) QB's for lack of playing time, we shouldn't be reminded of that. Never could happen again???

C'mon, lack of playing time? - Lagow never even made it out of his first summer camp.

 

[Confident Carl]

C'mon, lack of playing time? - Lagow never even made it out of his first summer camp.

So let me make sure I have this right, Lagow left because he saw himself getting lots of opportunities? We lost good quarterbacks who were never gonna get a chance or who never got a chance. THATS the point.

 

[huskymedic]

So let me make sure I have this right, Lagow left because he saw himself getting lots of opportunities? We lost good quarterbacks who were never gonna get a chance or who never got a chance. THATS the point.

He was a true freshman, recruited by the previous coach and transfers before the season starts to be closer to home (or didn't want to compete depending on narrative) - so Diaco plays DW w/ 3 games left to avoid that happening again? Yeah, that's a similar situation.

Hey, the WBB team only won by 2 points tonight so in today's world - anything is possible I guess.

 

[JMick]

He was a true freshman, recruited by the previous coach and transfers before the season starts to be closer to home (or didn't want to compete depending on narrative) - so Diaco plays DW w/ 3 games left to avoid that happening again? Yeah, that's a similar situation.

Hey, the WBB team only won by 2 points tonight so in today's world - anything is possible I guess.

And the men might go 0-2 for the first time in 50 years. Bad time to be a UConn sports fan

 

[Confident Carl]

He was a true freshman, recruited by the previous coach and transfers before the season starts to be closer to home (or didn't want to compete depending on narrative) - so Diaco plays DW w/ 3 games left to avoid that happening again? Yeah, that's a similar situation.

Hey, the WBB team only won by 2 points tonight so in today's world - anything is possible I guess.

I don't care why the left, they left and don't want to see the same thing
happen to Donovan Williams.

"UCONN is at least grabbing 3-star QBs more regularly since Edsall left, signing five among the classes of 2011, 2012 and 2013. But it’s also telling that of those five, the two most successful careers belong to the two quarterbacks who transferred elsewhere (Michael Nebrich, an FCS star at Fordham, and Richard Lagow, last seen beating Michigan State as Indiana’s starter)" - Michael Meacham quoted in a dime back

 

[Jimdish255]

Can we have some happy talk please!?! Just got back from the Hoops Board and I'm feeling kinda low.

 

[Ldandy]

This is pure speculation But as a side to the discussion of to burn or not to burn, the thought occurred to me that if I was DW father after watching arguably the worst offense in FBS this year and I got any inkling that my son was sitting behind BS in 2017, I would probably recommend that he finds a better program or at least go the JC route like Lagow did and who is currently the starting QB at Indiana. Forget about saving DW's Red Shirt, for all we know by naming DW the stater Diaco may have saved DW from leaving the program entirely. Again just a guess but it happened with Michael Nebrich, Richard Lagow and Kivon Taylor and if DW was not given the opportunity to start, given his talent and upside, it may have been Sayonara baby!

The New Haven Register Blogs: Ramblings from The Runway: QB Taylor leaves UConn

Soph QB Nebrich leaves UConn football team

Freshman QB Richard Lagow Leaving UConn; Heads To Oklahoma State » True Blue UConn

A couple things.

If Diaco actually allowed a freshman and his father to dictate personnel decisions with veiled threats of transfer then he is a complete eunuch. What kind of precedent would that set with your team? If Williams is terrible next season will that year's freshman class QB demand to start or he'll transfer as well? What about the kids that aren't playing for next year? Shouldn't the coach give them the best opportunity to win? Is that playing a completely green Williams right now?

More to the point, what leverage would Williams actually have in threatening a transfer? If Diaco wanted to be a d*** he could block his transfer requests to certain schools. Besides the fact where could he actually go? He only had a handful of small program scholarship offers out of HS, and based on his body of work to date, who is actually going to recruit him? He'd likely end up at an FCS Program or Juco.

Is ending up at a JC with the potential to transfer to a program like ISU, KU or Indiana really an improvement over staying at Uconn? The overwhelming majority of these kids have no future in football after college. If he was actually entertaining these thoughts he better start using his head for something other than holding up his helmet. JMO but Williams is not starting because he gives the team the best chance to win. He's not starting because he walked into the coach's office and said "I'm ready." From the outside it looks like the act of a coach out of answers and desperate to create some buzz around the program. Maybe a few thousand more fans come to the next game to see the young kid, maybe the AD lets me keep my job.

 

[Confident Carl]

A couple things.

If Diaco actually allowed a freshman and his father to dictate personnel decisions with veiled threats of transfer then he is a complete eunuch. What kind of precedent would that set with your team? If Williams is terrible next season will that year's freshman class QB demand to start or he'll transfer as well? What about the kids that aren't playing for next year? Shouldn't the coach give them the best opportunity to win? Is that playing a completely green Williams right now?

More to the point, what leverage would Williams actually have in threatening a transfer? If Diaco wanted to be a d*** he could block his transfer requests to certain schools. Besides the fact where could he actually go? He only had a handful of small program scholarship offers out of HS, and based on his body of work to date, who is actually going to recruit him? He'd likely end up at an FCS Program or Juco.

Is ending up at a JC with the potential to transfer to a program like ISU, KU or Indiana really an improvement over staying at Uconn? The overwhelming majority of these kids have no future in football after college. If he was actually entertaining these thoughts he better start using his head for something other than holding up his helmet. JMO but Williams is not starting because he gives the team the best chance to win. He's not starting because he walked into the coach's office and said "I'm ready." From the outside it looks like the act of a coach out of answers and desperate to create some buzz around the program. Maybe a few thousand more fans come to the next game to see the young kid, maybe the AD lets me keep my job.

Look, I made a point about keeping DW in Storrs and referenced past history of QB's opting out to frame my concerns which I myself termed speculation. Chandler Whitmer ended up at UCONN because he didn't see a future at Illinois. He ended up going the JC route at Butler. Not saying anyone is dictating to Diaco or anyone is making threats. Subtle hints based on expectations maybe but with playing time, I agree with you there are never guarantees. For sure coaches shouldn't play kids due to politics. If you have ever coached youth sports (and I have plenty) you know how involved parents can be.

Intelligent big, fast dual threat QB's may have a bit more leverage. There is a higher demand here. BS's lackluster performance coupled with DW's resume and development are reasons for my concerns. If not given the right opportunity I could see him transferring next year. Some posters like you think it's a HUGE stretch but I don't.

Your claim of desperation on Diaco's part to create some "buzz" to me may be a bit of a stretch, although I do understand your reasoning. Truth is , we are talking about Diaco's decision to burn the red shirt. I am more motivated to travel to Boston because of it, yet I don't believe BD is starting DW for that reason. It's all about turning UCONN into a winning program.

Not saying DW's dad is like this but remember Alex Oriakhis' Dad and his transfer to Missouri. Different situation but when it came to his kids future he was very much involved. Parents and prior coaches should and do influence their children. Having said that, AO's Dad was over the top in this case.

Alex Oriakhi's father calls for Jim Calhoun to be fired

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

@temery this board can really use a nonsense filter.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Look, I made a point about keeping DW in Storrs and referenced past history of QB's opting out to frame my concerns which I myself termed speculation. Chandler Whitmer ended up at UCONN because he didn't see a future at Illinois. He ended up going the JC route at Butler. Not saying anyone is dictating to Diaco or anyone is making threats. Subtle hints based on expectations maybe but with playing time, I agree with you there are never guarantees. For sure coaches shouldn't play kids due to politics. If you have ever coached youth sports (and I have plenty) you know how involved parents can be.

Intelligent big, fast dual threat QB's may have a bit more leverage. There is a higher demand here. BS's lackluster performance coupled with DW's resume and development are reasons for my concerns. If not given the right opportunity I could see him transferring next year. Some posters like you think it's a HUGE stretch but I don't.

Your claim of desperation on Diaco's part to create some "buzz" to me may be a bit of a stretch, although I do understand your reasoning. Truth is , we are talking about Diaco's decision to burn the red shirt. I am more motivated to travel to Boston because of it, yet I don't believe BD is starting DW for that reason. It's all about turning UCONN into a winning program.

Not saying DW's dad is like this but remember Alex Oriakhis' Dad and his transfer to Missouri. Different situation but when it came to his kids future he was very much involved. Parents and prior coaches should and do influence their children. Having said that, AO's Dad was over the top in this case.

Alex Oriakhi's father calls for Jim Calhoun to be fired

Carl you seem like a good enough guy but your positions on this topic are complete nonsense.

 

[Confident Carl]

Carl you seem like a good enough guy but your positions on this topic are complete nonsense.

What is nonsense and quite frankly, really funny to me are the characters on the Boneyard who get their rocks off throwing insults like this because someone is willing to share a position that doesn't line up with theirs.

Don't get me wrong, I think there are some really intelligent, well informed posters. It's these kind of flippant reactions that puzzle me.
Really intelligent people don't normally respond in this fashion. It's sarcastic responses like this that lead to losing in life. I also get that
the wise cracks kind of jack you up a little #internet bullying.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

What is nonsense and quite frankly, really funny to me are the characters on the Boneyard who get their rocks off throwing insults like this because someone is willing to share a position that doesn't line up with theirs.

Don't get me wrong, I think there are some really intelligent, well informed posters. It's these kind of flippant reactions that puzzle me.
Really intelligent people don't normally respond in this fashion. It's sarcastic responses like this that lead to losing in life. I also get that
the wise cracks kind of jack you up a little #internet bullying.

If saying that you're a nice guy but your opinion is based on nonsense constitutes internet bullying, perhaps a message board isn't quite for you?

 

[freescooter]

Disclaimer we all here things and report it as solid information.

Well, not all. Some of us hear things.

 

[Ready4action]

I think it was a stretch to speculate about the kids father pushing buttons to get his son playing time it don't quite work that way Carl. Multi million dollar program getting bullied by a parent not likely. I simply believe that BS created a huge opening to lose the spot. A baby on the way getting engaged class work where does football fit in. The same goes of Anderson he is married with a child as well. God bless them but all that is a bit too much!

 

[Confident Carl]

If saying that you're a nice guy but your opinion is based on nonsense constitutes internet bullying, perhaps a message board isn't quite for you?

I think it was a stretch to speculate about the kids father pushing buttons to get his son playing time it don't quite work that way Carl. Multi million dollar program getting bullied by a parent not likely. I simply believe that BS created a huge opening to lose the spot. A baby on the way getting engaged class work where does football fit in. The same goes of Anderson he is married with a child as well. God bless them but all that is a bit too much!

This should be an idea board. Sometimes ideas and suggestions are taken as facts. This thread started with my
agreement in playing DW now, knowing full well the repercussions from certain characters on the BY. You see on this board Commandment #1 is Thou shalt not burn a Freshman QB's Red Shirt. In so doing do one must face the BY college of Cardinals!LOL!

I also suggested that not playing DW could result in him leaving the program and went on to say the if I were his father and didn't see a clear path to him playing soon, that I might advise him to pack his bags. I backed my thoughts by three major programs that successfully started true freshmen QB's in 2016 . I also highlighted 3 QB's who have left our program in recent years. I never once said the DW father pushed any buttons nor was he bullying the Multi million dollar program. I merely suggested it is something that I might do. Professional players have agents, student athletes have parents.

The reference to bullying has to do with a style of sarcasm that has existed on this board for a long time. I'm used to it
but every once in a while you have to call the culprits out. The reactions are always very predictable.

Let's see how Donovan handles himself against BC. As one poster stated the decision has been made.

 

[J187Money]

I am more motivated to travel to Boston because of it

I'm probably not going to go to Boston now. Given what our offense looked like v. Temple, I saw nothing to indicate that it will be any better against BC. Given the data we have, believing anything else is just faith (granted, it is a sample of one).

I'm not suggesting that DW might not be great, and ultimately these 3 games might be huge with regards to his development, but that doesn't mean that this game will be watchable. And yes, the decision has been made. I'm not asking to play BS this weekend.

I will be at the Tulane game, because it is a home game, and I'm not traveling, so I will go because that's what I do. But I don't think I can drive to Boston to watch what I believe could be YET ANOTHER game where we don't score an offensive touchdown.