That Was Fun. Now What?

[Chin Diesel]

2024 was fun. Ups, downs, joy and anguish, but overall what a season.
College football fans don't invest nearly as much energy in to the nuances of the Huskies as us fans. All they see is 9-4 and a bowl win over a P4 team in front of a big pro-UConn crowd in Boston.

So, what's on tap for 2025?

For me, here's the priorities.

1. Keep Mora and both coordinators. Mora just signed an extension you say? Yes, and as we've seen for years, contracts are worthless. Some college or pro team can offer millions more than UConn. I think JM is content at UConn but stay vigilant. Brock and Sammis were both better than I had expectations for them. The 3-3-5 had previously failed at UConn and Brock's performance with it in the SEC was a mixed bag. I am a firm believer the 3-3-5 is a Jimmy and Joe scheme. You need speed and ball hawks to make it work. Several of those leaders are gone and need replacing. Sammis had more plays which got playmaker open and did a great job with OLine.
2. A QB in the portal. Fagnano is done. Evers is slight of build and injury prone. That doesn't even address his skill level or on-field performance. He needs another RPO QB to push him in the off season. And this doesn't even address what to do with Welliver. If UConn is going to be an RPO offense, how does he fit in? Can Welliver step in and be a better pro style QB than Fagnano? IDK. I just want to have clarity on what is UConn's identity on offense.
3. Upgrades across rest of roster on O. If Bell is gone, so be it. He drops too many passes for my liking as a #1 receiver. I like how Sheffield and Gaithings improved this year but WR room needs at least 6 viable receiving options. Still need at least one more good RB besides the top 3 returnees.
4. OLine. Need to replace both tackles. Is Murawski mobile enough for RT?
5. Defense. Need playmaker at all three levels to replace grads and transfers. LB's who can move in space, safeties who can hit and linemen depth are all needed.
6. Special teams. They were solid all year l. Maybe a better punter? Freeman was almost automatic after first two games and is good out to 55 on leg strength.

That's it for now. It's been all of 18 hours since the bowl game win. There will be a few gut punch transfers and a few "hey now" incoming players. I am fully confident Mora is engaged with the program and is the right person to see through this off-season and prepare for 2025.

 

[cellocgg]

I just want to hear some realignment inklings

 

[UconnMICK]

I just want to hear some realignment inklings

I’d prefer to wait to hear once we have a signed invite in hand. Inklings tend to summons Lucy as the holder.

 

[Palatine]

Turn you attention to basketball. Sit back. Relax. Threepeat.

 

[giddyup]

College football fans don't invest nearly as much energy in to the nuances of the Huskies as us fans.

Truer words never spoken. Takes a special love to endure the last 15, but wow is the feeling great.

 

[Marbles90]

1. Keep both coordinators

Especially Brock. Talk about night and day on defense. It’s hard to believe we had the worst defense in FBS history just a few years ago. I feel like Brock is to our defense the way Lashlee was to our offense when he was here. I can definitely see him back as a P4 coordinator or possibly a G6 HC in the future. Keep him as long as you can.

 

[Purple Stein]

3. Upgrades across rest of roster on O. If Bell is gone, so be it. He drops too many passes for my liking as a #1 receiver. I like how Sheffield and Gaithings improved this year but WR room needs at least 6 viable receiving options. Still need at least one more good RB besides the top 3 returnees.

I love Gathings. Kid is a ball of energy and was so fired up yesterday.

 

[AllHusky]

Beat me to the punch Chin, I was still brewing the coffee when you were posting.

Doing the things you mentioned would allow us to live in the 20-40 rankings range. Higher than 20 means Welliver is a Unicorn, or we hit a McCord level portal QB. It appears Brocks Portal additions along with returnees have the Defense well on it's way to having the personnel to have another good, maybe great year.

The inability to identify an offensive identity is perplexing. Sammis seems to be an intelligent, thoughtful coach who will manage the Offense based on the personnel he has at his disposal. His relationship with Mora will only grow stronger. Is he the Head Coach in waiting? We could do worse, but with a 4 year contract for Mora, it is a little early to anoint him.

One poster suggested the role we saw for Nick Evers yesterday presages his role for next year. I believe strongly in development, progression, redemption, second chances and so on, but it doesn't appear that he has the stuff to move the program forward. Here we are with QB questions again, unless of course, Welliver is "IT". We still need another QB.

So run the G5 table and beat 2 of Cuse, Duke, ???(BC?). It's 2025 already Husky FB fans. Hope you enjoyed your offseason.

 

[FlakeyFoont]

I really love Mel Brown. His quickness is impressive. Along with Edwards and Rosa we may have a Husky version of Earth, Wind and Fire (NY Giants 2008).

 

[ucawn]

Better punter? Stutz is elite bro cmon.

On QB room, I think we will be very good with Evers. Thrown into the fire this season and immediately had his season derailed by injuries. Speaks to his character to persist through it all and keep great energy, he will be a great leader for the team next season. In terms of talent, Nick has a much higher upside than Joe. He is more mobile and has a better arm just needs to improve consistency and game management which comes with experience.

 

[AllHusky]

Better punter? Stutz is elite bro cmon.

On QB room, I think we will be very good with Evers. Thrown into the fire this season and immediately had his season derailed by injuries. Speaks to his character to persist through it all and keep great energy, he will be a great leader for the team next season. But in terms of talent, Nick has a much higher upside than Joe. He is more mobile and has a better arm just needs to improve consistency and game management which comes with experience.

From your lips to Gods ears ucawn!!

 

[ZooCougar]

We need another QB and some realignment news.

Did you guys see that Evers pass into the end zone into triple coverage? Why Nick? Why?

 

[NEforceUConn]

"2024 was fun. Ups, downs, joy and anguish, but overall what a season." Tru dat.

For me this year was a Great Season! I am grateful!

What's next is unknown and I appreciate the various BY discussions. I sleep better knowing we have AD David Benedict and HCJM.

Happy New Year.

 

[UCan3]

I think we saw with Joey what can happen when we have a QB that can keep our D on the sidelines while we control the clock. That is Uconn Football at it’s best.

We need a QB who can complete those 3rd and 5+ passes on a regular basis which opens up our run game. Accuracy is so important not just velocity of throws.

I would have loved Bell to stay for us and for him frankly. Star players get so much TV and news coverage at UConn. But as was stated well in title post, he did drop quite a few balls this year in addition to his NFL quality catches. We will survive w/ out him but he will be missed.

Running back, we’ll be fine. We’re deep and will stay deep at that position.

WhileI don’t know enough about is how we keep producing such great O and Defensive Lines. That is where most of the football is played - continue that focus in upcoming year. Needs to be talked about more IMO.

 

[Purple Stein]

We need another QB and some realignment news.

Did you guys see that Evers pass into the end zone into triple coverage? Why Nick? Why?

I’d have to see the replay but Fagnano was split left as a decoy with the play running right. UNC covered it well so not sure what other options Evers had.

If you’re saying he should have thrown it away, fair enough.

 

[ZooCougar]

I’d have to see the replay but Fagnano was split left as a decoy with the play running right. UNC covered it well so not sure what other options Evers had.

If you’re saying he should have thrown it away, fair enough.

That should be obvious.

 

[CTBasketball]

I think replacing our linebacker core and key secondary defenders should be Priority #1.

Bring in a QB to contend with Welliver or Evers. Losing Bell and Sheffield will hurt, but I think Porter and Gathings showed great progress the 2nd half of the year.

And always improve the lines.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I want more publicity in our home state. More road shows, NIL events, etc. Strike while the iron is hot.

 

[KembaKek]

Still need at least one more good RB besides the top 3 returnees.

Look no further

MJ Flowers - Eastern Illinois Panthers Running Back - ESPN

View the profile of Eastern Illinois Panthers Running Back MJ Flowers on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

 

[AllHusky]

I think we saw with Joey what can happen when we have a QB that can keep our D on the sidelines while we control the clock. That is Uconn Football at it’s best.

We need a QB who can complete those 3rd and 5+ passes on a regular basis which opens up our run game. Accuracy is so important not just velocity of throws.

I would have loved Bell to stay for us and for him frankly. Star players get so much TV and news coverage at UConn. But as was stated well in title post, he did drop quite a few balls this year in addition to his NFL quality catches. We will survive w/ out him but he will be missed.

Running back, we’ll be fine. We’re deep and will stay deep at that position.

WhileI don’t know enough about is how we keep producing such great O and Defensive Lines. That is where most of the football is played - continue that focus in upcoming year. Needs to be talked about more IMO.

I don't think he's gone!

 

[UCan3]

I don't think he's gone!

to be clear, I hope not

 

[Waquoit]

Mora handles the portal beautifully. More Hurley than Laranaga. It can be a tool of tremendous value to improve your team in the hands of a modern coach. And like Hurley, I think Mora treats his players with good faith and respect. Word gets out. I hope to see continued success with it.

 

[HCCForever]

We need another QB and some realignment news.

Did you guys see that Evers pass into the end zone into triple coverage? Why Nick? Why?

That was the worst decision of game. Fortunately, it didn’t cost UConn. Compare that with Joe’s decision to overthrow Mel Brown who only had single coverage. Live to fight another day.

My biggest concerns are QB and keeping the O-line as good as it was this year.

I’ll keep busy during the off-season with the hoop teams, ice hockey and baseball. Much to appreciate at UConn.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

The timing of a “breakthrough” season of sorts was impeccable.
We may not see a P4 invite in 2025, or anytime soon. Or ever.

But we are in a much better position for those discussions now than we were a year ago, if they do crop up again next summer. You have to think there’s a good chance those discussions are coming back, considering the Big 12 put them on “pause”.

Excited for the future of this football program. As Evers said on X, 9 wins is now the base!

 

[UCan3]

That was the worst decision of game. Fortunately, it didn’t cost UConn. Compare that with Joe’s decision to overthrow Mel Brown who only had single coverage. Live to fight another day.

My biggest concerns are QB and keeping the O-line as good as it was this year.

I’ll keep busy during the off-season with the hoop teams, ice hockey and baseball. Much to appreciate at UConn.

Yes, I think Evers is a utility player and would love to see him come off the bench to run the ball a half dozen times a game.

But yes, that could have been a game changer had that terribly thrown ball got intercepted. There was no path to a catch there - not for our receiver anyway

If you‘re going to put a QB in cold, don’t have him throw to the end zone unless the receiver is so alone he is standing there by himself. Evers should have run w/ no option to pass there.

I think some of that is on coaches vs. Evers though.