UConn quarterback position unsettled as ever but there are plenty of candidates as spring session rolls on (Amore)

[ktuck911]

If we are going the what coulda woulda shoulda been route with our past QBs it's out of Cochran and Boyle, followed closely by Nebrich for me. We clearly didn't have enough on our coaching staff in the past once we lost Morehead. That bandaid job we did always concerned me.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I think most people are surprised he is playing at all this spring.

There was uncertainty that he would be ready for the season. If he is playing now...you have to assume he will be a full go in the summer...and will be fully contending for the starting job.

Which....is great news!

I'd disagree with the "most people".

He's seven months past the injury. It was an ACL and for at least a decade now, if surgery went well, a player should he able to do light physical work on the repaired knee.

 

[UCFBfan]

As a true freshman with all starting WRs and multiple RBs hurt, Zion faired ok given those situations.

Would expect a much better year 2.

This is a large part that many want to forget or have forgotten. I'm not going to say that Zion is a world beater, but many here are WAY too negative on him. He was a true frosh who was not ready to start last year, which was fine. He got pushed into the starting role and brought us to a bowl game. For every game outside of Army and the Bowl game, he played mostly mistake free football. He helped us beat BC (which we've never done), a ranked Liberty team, and get us into a bowl. Our leading rusher went down a few games into the season as well as a few back ups. We were down to true frosh RBs, WRs, and a QB. Thankfully our D and OLine were solid but Zion did well considering the circumstances.

I don't think he is a lock to start this season but I believe he will grow and be the QB they knew they were recruiting. Give him a healthy WR corps and backfield, and I'd be excited to see what he can do.

 

[huskymedic]

What happen to Tyler Phommachanh? I don't see him on the roster or transferring out.

From the attached article:

“Among last year’s quarterbacks, Tyler Phommachanh is not participating in football activities for the rest of the spring semester”

It would appear the QB room is all set.

Portal reopened today… it was just timing:

 

[Guru13]

Portal reopened today… it was just timing:

Best of luck to him. Writing was on the wall

 

[ScottVib]

Thought you could play a few games and still redshirt.

This is accurate. Zermeno coming into a game or two would not have burned his redshirt.

 

[Husky68]

This is a large part that many want to forget or have forgotten. I'm not going to say that Zion is a world beater, but many here are WAY too negative on him. He was a true frosh who was not ready to start last year, which was fine. He got pushed into the starting role and brought us to a bowl game. For every game outside of Army and the Bowl game, he played mostly mistake free football. He helped us beat BC (which we've never done), a ranked Liberty team, and get us into a bowl. Our leading rusher went down a few games into the season as well as a few back ups. We were down to true frosh RBs, WRs, and a QB. Thankfully our D and OLine were solid but Zion did well considering the circumstances.

I don't think he is a lock to start this season but I believe he will grow and be the QB they knew they were recruiting. Give him a healthy WR corps and backfield, and I'd be excited to see what he can do.

He played his worst games late in the season. You play more you should get better. Hardly played mostly mistake free football; fumbles, interceptions, numerous poor decisions with the ball.

He did not do well considering the circumstances.

 

[Palatine]

Best of luck to TP. If he hadn't been thrust into the line up, he probably sits a year, learns the system and is one to the top two in 2022. Very unfortunate. Be interesting to see where he lands. Hope he finds a good situation.

 

[storrsroars]

This is accurate. Zermeno coming into a game or two would not have burned his redshirt.

Yeah, rule was changed in 2018. I thought it only applied to medical redshirts, but it's anyone. They can play in up to four games.

 

[DoctorWho85]

Tyler is going to get a shot somewhere, I hope he succeeds.

 

[fgbrault]

Best of Luck Tyler!

 

[Bomber36]

Would love to have seen some more of Tyler, but that injury changed his course at UConn. Best wishes Tyler!

 

[gioff2323]

He played his worst games late in the season. You play more you should get better. Hardly played mostly mistake free football; fumbles, interceptions, numerous poor decisions with the ball.

He did not do well considering the circumstances.

Don’t be that guy. I get it, it’s easy. I was disappointed in his performance at times, but to not acknowledge the situation - no skill players with experience, no separation at line, limited playbook, and a true frosh is just douchie.

We need better play at qb position. No one disagrees. But we’ve been saying that for what, a decade?

Let’s see how he does in Y2 and let’s give him some credit for getting us to a place few imagined a year ago.

 

[Husky25]

Don’t be that guy. I get it, it’s easy. I was disappointed in his performance at times, but to not acknowledge the situation - no skill players with experience, no separation at line, limited playbook, and a true frosh is just douchie.

We need better play at qb position. No one disagrees. But we’ve been saying that for what, a decade?

Let’s see how he does in Y2 and let’s give him some credit for getting us to a place few imagined a year ago.

So in order to protect Turner, you throw the receivers and backs under the bus? I wouldn't want to be That Guy either. Rosa improved as the season went on, as did A. Turner, K. Clercius, and Joly.

I wrote at one point during last season that and for whatever reason, Z. Turner had not (yet) developed the confidence to throw into a tighter window than he had become accustomed to in high school. Whether that confidence shows through this year remains to be seen, but I don't think Turner's game performance last year has earned him anything leading into the Fall.

 

[Waquoit]

What hurts Turner the most for me is his awful performance in the bowl game. You don't want to blame one guy but we were in that game without his gifts to the Herd. It mitigates the rest of the season for me. I'm hoping we can do better this year.

 

[Chin Diesel]

So in order to protect Turner, you throw the receivers and backs under the bus? I wouldn't want to be That Guy either. Rosa improved as the season went on, as did A. Turner, K. Clercius, and Joly.

I wrote at one point during last season that and for whatever reason, Z. Turner had not (yet) developed the confidence to throw into a tighter window than he had become accustomed to in high school. Whether that confidence shows through this year remains to be seen, but I don't think Turner's game performance last year has earned him anything leading into the Fall.

The WR's and RB's were already figuratively thrown under the bus since the top two WR's and top two RB's going in to the season were injured.

Comparing improvement by WR's and RB's further down the depth chart, even those who were true freshmen, to that of a true frosh QB, is silly and doesn't reflect well on you. Would all of us have like Zion to improve as much as others? Sure. But there's not a lot of historical data points to support that much improvement from a QB.

I'll throw this out there. The coaches did what they had to do to keep their only healthy QB healthy for the season. If Zion is playing in October 2023 like he did in November 2022 he will not be starting.

 

[uconndogs]

What hurts Turner the most for me is his awful performance in the bowl game. You don't want to blame one guy but we were in that game without his gifts to the Herd. It mitigates the rest of the season for me. I'm hoping we can do better this year.

We gave away that game, Army and Ball State. Honestly, given the 2021 season and the injuries we incurred last season I would have never guessed we would be bowl eligible. Much of the offense was smoke and mirrors, albeit we had a pretty good OL. I don't think the coaches were going to take any chances with ZT. First, because he was a true frosh. Second, because they couldn't afford to lose him to injury.

The good news is that we appear to have more competition at the QB slot heading into next season and dear I say that we should be able to stay healthier than the walking wounded we were last season. I think the schedule is more favorable as well. Finally......finally.......there is some reason for optimism heading into a new season

 

[Husky68]

Don’t be that guy. I get it, it’s easy. I was disappointed in his performance at times, but to not acknowledge the situation - no skill players with experience, no separation at line, limited playbook, and a true frosh is just douchie.

We need better play at qb position. No one disagrees. But we’ve been saying that for what, a decade?

Let’s see how he does in Y2 and let’s give him some credit for getting us to a place few imagined a year ago.

Why say "he" got us to a place few imagined. UConn got there in spite of poor QB play. You say I didn't acknowledge the circumstances, I gave him plenty of dispensation when he was falling down while trying to run, missing seeing wide open receivers, overthrowing potential touchdowns, etc.
Did he perform better than Tyler did the previous year with a much more limited set of teammates and crazy bad coaching? If you say yes you are being douchie.
Zion Turner would not have started for another FBS team in 2022. It's a testament to the rest of the team that we won 6 games.
UConn was 127th in passing yardage per game, ahead of the 3 service academies and New Mexico, was 33rd in rushing yardage between Ohio State and Notre Dame. If anyone should get credit for the 6 wins it's the offensive line. How much credit does a QB get for handing off on 525 rushing plays and passing 276 times for 1,411 yards, 9 TD's and 10 interceptions.

 

[Palatine]

Just to bring some facts to the discussion.

Turner threw 258 passes, completed 149, a 58% completion percentage for 1,407 yards with 9 TDs and 10 INTS.
Millen 12, 6, 40% 1 TD; Roberson 2, 1, 50%, Houston 1,1, 100%

Our foes threw 396, completed 248, for 63%, 2,740 yards15 TDs and 10 INTs. Our opponents gained 211 yards a game through the air. We gained 112.

We finished he season as the #127 passing team out of 131 BCS programs. And this is with a strong running game that was 33rd in the BCS. Our QB play does not need to improve -- it needs to get a lot better.

 

[businesslawyer]

This is the right take. Our passing game wasn't nearly good enough last year. Credit to the entire team that they overcame this and went 6-6. The team was not good enough at passing. See, I won't blame just Zion for that, for a boatload of reasons, but you can't rationally not blame mostly him for the passing and then say "he" got us to .500. "He" didn't. The team did that without the help of a competent passing game.

If with a year to learn the system, grow physically and get our receiving crew healthy Turner can lead a competent passing attack next season, great. If not, every other healthy QB on the roster (which last year was no one) will be given a chance (at least in practice) to show that they can. Because you can't count on even getting back to .500 with a passing attack that far below average.

 

[Husky25]

The WR's and RB's were already figuratively thrown under the bus since the top two WR's and top two RB's going in to the season were injured.

Comparing improvement by WR's and RB's further down the depth chart, even those who were true freshmen, to that of a true frosh QB, is silly and doesn't reflect well on you. Would all of us have like Zion to improve as much as others? Sure. But there's not a lot of historical data points to support that much improvement from a QB.

I'll throw this out there. The coaches did what they had to do to keep their only healthy QB healthy for the season. If Zion is playing in October 2023 like he did in November 2022 he will not be starting.

You play the hand you are dealt and regardless of weapons, who did improve, far be it from me to expected the game to slow down and for any player to get more comfortable as the year went on. The eye test indicated different.

If Turner is playing now and in August 2023 like he did in November 2022, he probably won't get the chance to play in October.

 

[Husky25]

This is the right take. Our passing game wasn't nearly good enough last year. Credit to the entire team that they overcame this and went 6-6. The team was not good enough at passing. See, I won't blame just Zion for that, for a boatload of reasons, but you can't rationally not blame mostly him for the passing and then say "he" got us to .500. "He" didn't. The team did that without the help of a competent passing game.

If with a year to learn the system, grow physically and get our receiving crew healthy Turner can lead a competent passing attack next season, great. If not, every other healthy QB on the roster (which last year was no one) will be given a chance (at least in practice) to show that they can. Because you can't count on even getting back to .500 with a passing attack that far below average.

I'd be surprised if production from the QB position, whether it be Turner of someone else, doesn't improve. Regardless of what happens at QB, UConn has more glaring issues. UConn needs to reload on Defense. Particularly at linebacker, where Bembry, Bouyer-Randle, and Swenson have all moved on. They also lose Tre Wortham from the defensive backfield.

 

[Husky25]

This is encouraging.
"When you look at where we were in the passing game to now, it is night and day," Charlton said. "These guys know what we are trying to get done and we can start to diversify the offense and then I can get to what I am used to in being very multiple in what we do."

Much has gone into the early improvements, starting with the rising confidence of last year's starting quarterback Zion Turner and newcomer Joe Fagnano, who currently are leading the pack in the quarterback competition.

UConn football emphasizing passing game in spring to help diversify offense

UConn football team was run heavy last season, but is attempting to improve the passing game this spring season.

www.ctinsider.com

 

[Husky68]

I'd be surprised if production from the QB position, whether it be Turner of someone else, doesn't improve. Regardless of what happens at QB, UConn has more glaring issues. UConn needs to reload on Defense. Particularly at linebacker, where Bembry, Bouyer-Randle, and Swenson have all moved on. They also lose Tre Wortham from the defensive backfield.

There is no more glaring issue than what happens at QB. That is just how football works.

 

[businesslawyer]

I'd be surprised if production from the QB position, whether it be Turner of someone else, doesn't improve. Regardless of what happens at QB, UConn has more glaring issues. UConn needs to reload on Defense. Particularly at linebacker, where Bembry, Bouyer-Randle, and Swenson have all moved on. They also lose Tre Wortham from the defensive backfield.

I'm far less concerned about defensive losses than you are. On defense we return 8 starters if you think we were primarily a 4-3-4, and 9 starters if you believe we were primarily a 4-2-5 (which by my eye we were the second half of the season). Bembry barely played the second half of the year, and Bouyer-Randle sat in our 4-2-5. Returning even 8 starters for a unit is well above average, and there is no reason to think we won't get better play at all these positions. Yes, we have to replace the starters that left, but we certainly had an eye on this if you look at the positions we filled in the portal (plus we have two corners who did start before getting hurt).

Likewise, on offense, if you don't count Carter as a starter (and while on paper he was our #1, the only win he played in was against Central -- our five real wins were all without him), all we lose is one OL and our sometimes used FB. The point being, both units should be generally stronger this year than last year just based on numbers, but the real key is getting at least average performance from the single most important position on the field, because average would be a big step up at QB from last year. That's the low hanging fruit.

 

[businesslawyer]

This is encouraging.
"When you look at where we were in the passing game to now, it is night and day," Charlton said. "These guys know what we are trying to get done and we can start to diversify the offense and then I can get to what I am used to in being very multiple in what we do."

Much has gone into the early improvements, starting with the rising confidence of last year's starting quarterback Zion Turner and newcomer Joe Fagnano, who currently are leading the pack in the quarterback competition.

UConn football emphasizing passing game in spring to help diversify offense

UConn football team was run heavy last season, but is attempting to improve the passing game this spring season.

www.ctinsider.com

Unfortunately, nothing you hear from a coach is encouraging, because there is no reason to believe any of it. The encouraging thing at QB is, to quote a line from a Damn Yankees song, "we gotta get better 'cos we can't get worse."

 

[Chin Diesel]

You play the hand you are dealt and regardless of weapons, who did improve, far be it from me to expected the game to slow down and for any player to get more comfortable as the year went on. The eye test indicated different.

If Turner is playing now and in August 2023 like he did in November 2022, he probably won't get the chance to play in October.

I hope we all agree on that.

 

[rich1122]

We retain good lines. They’ve played together. Worried about center a little. I can’t remember when I’ve felt this good about both lines.

 

[Chin Diesel]

This is encouraging.
"When you look at where we were in the passing game to now, it is night and day," Charlton said. "These guys know what we are trying to get done and we can start to diversify the offense and then I can get to what I am used to in being very multiple in what we do."

Much has gone into the early improvements, starting with the rising confidence of last year's starting quarterback Zion Turner and newcomer Joe Fagnano, who currently are leading the pack in the quarterback competition.

UConn football emphasizing passing game in spring to help diversify offense

UConn football team was run heavy last season, but is attempting to improve the passing game this spring season.

www.ctinsider.com

Unfortunately, nothing you hear from a coach is encouraging, because there is no reason to believe any of it. The encouraging thing at QB is, to quote a line from a Damn Yankees song, "we gotta get better 'cos we can't get worse."

From that same linked article Charlton throws out numbers quantifying the improvement. Context to the quantification is absent, but we gotta hang our hats on something.

"They are very even," Charlton said. "Last year we were at 55% completion during training camp and spring ball, and we are at like 65% this year. Between Zion (Turner) and Joe (Fagnano), we have certainly improved in that area. Zion has gotten so much better and Joe has really improved as the spring has gone on."

A reset in receiver health has also contributed. Last season UConn's top two receivers missed most of the season. Cam Ross spent last season recovering from a preseason broken foot and Keelan Marion was injured in the opening game against Utah State on a touchdown reception.

"I think we have really taken some big steps (in the receiver room), we are not there yet of course, but Cam (Ross) is a difference maker," Charlton said. "He really is, and we have somebody coming in on May and we will continue to look. They have all taken a big jump."

 

[Palatine]

Turner was very clearly beaten out by Roberson last year. Roberson should be healthy by the time fall football camp opens. Turner got a season full of live game reps. The fact that is still a question mark is not promising.

Although Roberson only had a few live game reps, he did spend a year in the system. He was recruited by Penn State as a player with a strong arm who could get the ball downfield. His injury (a knee) should not have robbed him of that ability. If he is healthy, he should be significant competition for Turner.

Pagano is already neck and neck with Turner after a couple of months of live practice. He also has spent as much, or more, time in the system as both Roberson and Turner. According to Coach Charlton on February 6th of 2019, when Charlton was at Maine, "Joe is an athletic quarterback with outstanding arm strength and accuracy that has displayed great leadership on and off the field. We are excited for Joe's tremendous potential in our pro-spread offense."

Should be fun. At least, I hope it's fun