@desmondconner: UConn Has Options To Fill TB Void Left By McCombs' Exit http://post original url/Vwan4gBOvB
Synopsis:
>>No matter who plays, Diaco wants to see a few things.
"To me it's three things: no negative plays, taking care of the football, and then the yards after contact," Diaco said.
A closer look at the tailbacks:
DeLorenzo, 5-11, 210: Physical thumper; played big in big spots last year. "He's a guy who pounds it in there," Diaco said. "We're excited about Max and the role he's going to play."
Marriner, 5-9, 193: Rushed for 417 yards on 20 carries in a game for Western Branch (Va.) High School. "I think in time Josh Mariner possess some traits that are really exceptional at the position," Diaco said. "Pound for pound he's probably our strongest player on the team, not the strongest lifting weights, but I bet [strength and conditioning coordinator Matt] Balis would say he is our strongest player. He's got great balance and vision. He's one of our hardest workers and he's a real team guy."
Clax, 5-11, 241: Can play both running back positions, but primarily is a fullback. "He has the ability to play tailback and has good enough feet and good enough initial quickness and vision to have a couple of plays. He's not going to run our tailback menu, but there are a couple of plays he does really well at tailback. But like Matt Walsh, he's predominantly a fullback." Walsh, 6-1, 227,was the primary fullback last season, playing in all 12 games. He led Hand to back-to-back titles.
Johnson, 5-11, 212: From Palmetto Ridge High in Naples, Fla.; he opened the recruiting process when coach Charlie Strong left Louisville for Texas. "He's a big-bodied back, hard to tackle, tackle breaker, runs through contact and tackles," Diaco said.
McAllister, 5-11, 195: Rushed for 1,188 yards and scored 19 touchdowns as a senior at Suffield Academy. He led the team to an undefeated season. "Possess a lot of the same traits [as Johnson] but has great hands, a really accomplished guy in the passing game, excellent lateral quickness and vision," Diaco said. "He's more elusive and a bit of a slashing-type player. He's hard to tackle because of his short space quickness and make-you-miss kind of balance."
Newsome, 5-8, 188: The state's career leader in rushing yards (10,672), touchdowns (187), total points (1,162). "Very fast, vertical, north-south runner, a slashing runner but not a lot of wasted movement," Diaco said. "He's always gaining ground and gaining yards down the field. He has good hands and can play that role, too; a guy that can see the crease and hit the crease. He can punish you and go a long way."<<
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