UConn NLI Early Signing Day Thread/Info for 12/18/19-12/20/19

[BNich]

Did Edsal have a falling out with CT coaches a long time ago? I remember reading that some CT coaches were happy with the Pasqualoni hire because of his previous relationships in CT.

Yeah that really worked out well. Woo hoo!

 

[kibblesnbits]

Putterman: Randy Edsall welcomes 20 UConn football recruits, praises group’s ‘personality'

>> Ten of UConn’s signees will enroll early and participate in spring practice beginning Feb. 3, Edsall said. Those players are junior college offensive linemen Sidney Walker and Alexander Wyant, fellow O-lineman Zachary Early, defensive lineman Marques Alexander, running back Nate Carter, defensive back Alfred Chea, tight end Brendan Heatherman, defensive lineman Carter Hooper, receiver Keelan Marion and quarterback Jonathan Sénécal.

The other 10 commits — Bush, running back Brian Brewton, O-linemen Robby Rochester and Chris Fortin, linebacker Desmond Fogle, defensive linemen Quay Evans, Nick Harris and Collin McCarthy, tight end Brandon Niemenski and defensive back Reyan Blake — will enroll in June.<<

Alternate link

What does this mean in terms of the 25 man per year limit? I thought January enrollees count against the current 2019-2020 year, but the Huskies can't possibly have 10 open slots this year after considering all the fall enrollees. Did they make a change so that January counts against the coming year?

 

[kibblesnbits]

Yep...#9 from Berlin...Berlin NY that is...Being down south, I am unsure of significance between being prep or public...

Not much distinction in Florida...except for IMG Academy and maybe the Catholic St. Thomas Aquinas.

Someone apparently forgot that Milford Academy moved from CT to Berlin, NY.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Great story....thanks for sharing this HM!

 

[HuskyDogArt]

Uppsidaisy? I guess Nilay will help UConn no matter how his name is pronounced! Great looking class...

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Palatine]

That is nonsense. If that is the only complaint you got none. This is a small state with a modest football tradition. We have maybe in a good year there are 12 serious D1 guys. It would be nice to land one but certainly not essential.

The importance of local kids goes far beyond their playing ability.

1. It shows how the program is perceived. This perception is not only importation in producing players it is important in producing fans. It is important in generating excitement around the program.

2. Local players raise the profile of the program. Family friends and neighbors become more interested when local kids are involved, they buy tickets, many become long term fans. It also produces an increase in media as the hometown papers and blogs follow these kids careers.

3. We are much more likely to get high end players from local communities. Some great players don't want to travel far from home to play football. We are far more likely to get a four or five star kid from Connecticut than from California because they want to play in front of their family and friends.

4. Each successful local player makes it easier for subsequent local players to follow in their footsteps. That helps build the program.

5. They are cheaper to recruit.

6. These are some of the reasons why it is essential to recruit local kids. There are more.

 

[noeynox]

Travis Jones's family wanted him close to home. Eventually there may be 5 star version of that scenario here. I agree with Pal.

 

[Bubba1957]

Most of the time I just ignore topics such as the "importance of recruiting CT kids". But this discussion is ridiculous. As someone pointed out earlier, this year 7 CT kids started on the Defense. The Jones' are two of the better players brought in by Randy and they are both CT kids. This year he swung and missed - big deal. I don't get the point.

 

[businesslawyer]

The importance of local kids goes far beyond their playing ability.



3. We are much more likely to get high end players from local communities. Some great players don't want to travel far from home to play football. We are far more likely to get a four or five star kid from Connecticut than from California because they want to play in front of their family and friends.

Primarily this. While we can not rely on CT talent to get to the level we were, It is far more likely that a 4 or 5 star will be from or near CT, where being a fan of the teams or wanting to be near their families will keep them here, than that we get a 4 or 5 star from Florida or Texas or California. Now, we have to be better than we've been to even be an alternative to future Aaron Hernandez's (as a football player), because at the level we are now someone at that level of talent would be nuts to come here, but in the long run we do want local talent to be interested.

 

[UConnJim]

Primarily this. While we can not rely on CT talent to get to the level we were, It is far more likely that a 4 or 5 star will be from or near CT, where being a fan of the teams or wanting to be near their families will keep them here, than that we get a 4 or 5 star from Florida or Texas or California. Now, we have to be better than we've been to even be an alternative to future Aaron Hernandez's (as a football player), because at the level we are now someone at that level of talent would be nuts to come here, but in the long run we do want local talent to be interested.

I disagree. If UConn is winning with an independent schedule and playing 5 to 6 P5s per year, UConn will be an attractive opportunity for kids.

What has been really missing at UConn is the stud QB who can transform an offense. Maybe one of the kids on the roster or the new one coming in will be that guy. That said, plenty of top QBs transfer from P5 to G5 teams every year and there are 5 that have left CT in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 recruiting classes. Maybe one of them will come back to UConn if they transfer down the road. That's why you need to recruit the best kids in CT even if they decide not to come out of HS.

 

[ktuck911]

I disagree. If UConn is winning with an independent schedule and playing 5 to 6 P5s per year, UConn will be an attractive opportunity for kids.

What has been really missing at UConn is the stud QB who can transform an offense. Maybe one of the kids on the roster or the new one coming in will be that guy. That said, plenty of top QBs transfer from P5 to G5 teams every year and there are 5 that have left CT in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 recruiting classes. Maybe one of them will come back to UConn if they transfer down the road. That's why you need to recruit the best kids in CT even if they decide not to come out of HS.

Great point about the QB position. the most important position on the field...

 

[Jimdish255]

Great point about the QB position. the most important position on the field...

The most necessary position is the OL. With out a decent OL that super important QB is neutralized and often sidelined.

 

[ktuck911]

The most necessary position is the OL. With out a decent OL that super important QB is neutralized and often sidelined.

Let's see.. Looks like we're addressing the issue... I hope what we already have is enough. IF one of these kids can give us what and Lorenzen type performance for us then I'm ecstatic... We're back bowling again guys.. That's the key... Have a program that can go bowling year in and year out. Then, strike gold every once in awhile...
That's all we should be looking for.. It will help build the fanbase ... then, let everything else work itself out...

 

[hardcorehusky]

The most necessary position is the OL. With out a decent OL that super important QB is neutralized and often sidelined.

Theoretically, if you had Shireffs in there as opposed to Zergiotis- do we win ECU, Houston and Illinois? I would bet on it. What would he have done differently? Not throw balls into coverage, put arc on the ball but most importantly, read the defense, check down on routes and help the O line, TE and RB with protection calls and if all else failed, the ability to scramble. Decent OL is different now than years ago. Years ago, it had to open holes for the running backs. Now it has more pass protection responsibilities due to play calling.

 

[huskymedic]