Zion Turner

[NEforceUConn]

Freshman TE (methinks) deserves a game ball for a couple great catches.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Freshman TE (methinks) deserves a game ball for a couple great catches.

Joly is a heck of a player. Where did Mora find him?

 

[KembaKek]

There have been so many negatives spoken about ZT this year, but so many people refuse to acknowledge the positives. It has driven me crazy in the game threads.

The kid has an arm. Anyone who thinks he doesn't wasn't paying attention until today. He's had his moments in every game, it's just that he was now able to complete some. There were quite a few drops or poorly run routes on deep balls in previous games that people ignored to fit their narrative.

He manages the game really well. Have we had more than 1-2 delay of games this year? I don't think so, maybe I'm wrong. He can milk the clock to 1s and still get the play off, even when changes are coming in with 10s from the sideline.

He hasn't seemed phased at any point during a game. He actually seems to play better when the reins come off.

The kid isn't perfect. He's not supposed to be. He's a true freshman coming to UConn. But there is a lot to like and it's gross how people have talked about him. He has SO much to work on. But he's got years to fix things. Maybe someone comes along and takes the starting spot from him, but for now he's the QB and we should appreciate the good things he brings to this team.

nobody and I mean nobody, was hating on true freshman Jack Zergiotis this way. He sucked and all people would talk about were his once-per-game dimes to Cam Ross

 

[KembaKek]

I think 120-200 YPG should be the expected range for Zion and it's not even too bad of a thing to say. We have a good run game.

 

[JohnFSilver]

An interesting theory. Do you have data that would support it, or a citation, perhaps?

I don’t think there is anything that can be gleaned from high school stats.

 

[JohnFSilver]

I'm not saying he doesn't work at it. I am saying that it's probably stupid to get expect a kid who has never thrown for much at QB to become someone who throws it when they have harder competition.

What?

 

[Chin Diesel]

What was learned is if you allow the receivers to make plays they generally can.

That hadn't been true most of this season so far. WR's had been real bad winning 50/50 balls.

 

[RSTuthill]

Google "Zion Turner high school stats"...4900 yards in 39 games.

Your statement was that we can expect no more than the same performance at UConn than in Turner's HS career. So you need a helluva lot more data than that from just one college freshman six games into his career. Let me guess, a non STEM major, as Dilbert said recently?

 

[Slick]

Joly is a heck of a player. Where did Mora find him?

Ny

 

[huskymedic]

Joly is a heck of a player. Where did Mora find him?

Ny

TE Coach John Marinelli connections to Iona Prep in New Rochelle.. Joly was flipped from a Delaware commit.

 

[Chin Diesel]

There have been so many negatives spoken about ZT this year, but so many people refuse to acknowledge the positives. It has driven me crazy in the game threads.

The kid has an arm. Anyone who thinks he doesn't wasn't paying attention until today. He's had his moments in every game, it's just that he was now able to complete some. There were quite a few drops or poorly run routes on deep balls in previous games that people ignored to fit their narrative.

He manages the game really well. Have we had more than 1-2 delay of games this year? I don't think so, maybe I'm wrong. He can milk the clock to 1s and still get the play off, even when changes are coming in with 10s from the sideline.

He hasn't seemed phased at any point during a game. He actually seems to play better when the reins come off.

The kid isn't perfect. He's not supposed to be. He's a true freshman coming to UConn. But there is a lot to like and it's gross how people have talked about him. He has SO much to work on. But he's got years to fix things. Maybe someone comes along and takes the starting spot from him, but for now he's the QB and we should appreciate the good things he brings to this team.

I mentioned a few times in the game threads and in a couple of these topics Turner hunts for the sidelines when he takes off running. Several times this year he intentionally went straight sideways to get out of bounds to avoid any contact. And more than once turning up field and sliding or taking a hit would have gotten 2-3 more yards which were valuable yard type plays- say setting up 3rd and 4 instead of 3rd and 7. I am becoming convinced the coaches don't want him taking unnecessary contact. On the last drive when he kept it and ran up the middle. He initiated the contact with the LB and DB and drove them back and extra 3-4 yards after contact. He has the strength to do that, I just don't think the coaches want him doing it until he has to do it.

He's now gone three games and 60 passes without an INT. He definitely does not force the ball and you are correct he isn't phased or overwhelmed getting off snaps. It seemed like the last drive the coaches told him to win the game instead of managing the game.

 

[RSTuthill]

Google "Zion Turner high school stats"...4900 yards in 39 games.

Tina's College Major

 

[huskies20]

The delta between this thread and UConn Twitter during the game is awe inspiring and shows the lunacy of sports. That being said, who gives a flying F? LLLLLFFFFFGGGGG HUSKIES! Great game Zion. What a sneak!

 

[businesslawyer]

I mentioned a few times in the game threads and in a couple of these topics Turner hunts for the sidelines when he takes off running. Several times this year he intentionally went straight sideways to get out of bounds to avoid any contact. And more than once turning up field and sliding or taking a hit would have gotten 2-3 more yards which were valuable yard type plays- say setting up 3rd and 4 instead of 3rd and 7. I am becoming convinced the coaches don't want him taking unnecessary contact. On the last drive when he kept it and ran up the middle. He initiated the contact with the LB and DB and drove them back and extra 3-4 yards after contact. He has the strength to do that, I just don't think the coaches want him doing it until he has to do it.

He's now gone three games and 60 passes without an INT. He definitely does not force the ball and you are correct he isn't phased or overwhelmed getting off snaps. It seemed like the last drive the coaches told him to win the game instead of managing the game.

Everyone seems to struggle to accept the fact that WE ONLY HAVE ONE HEALTHY QUARTERBACK, and it was entirely rational to have a game plan that avoided taking risk with him getting hit in games we have no chance to win anyway.

Until Tyler P is really healthy enough to go, or Millen’s shoulder allows him not just to play but throw with any accuracy, Zion is going to avoid risks. He has to.

 

[Stinger92860]

We saw him throw deep today, and I’m not talking about the trick play, so that’s a positive. What I really liked was the QB draw for 10-12 yards. Need more of that. The long run called back, was nice too.

 

[Stinger92860]

He's now gone three games and 60 passes without an INT.

thanks, I was not aware of that fact

 

[RedStickHusky]

We saw him throw deep today, and I’m not talking about the trick play, so that’s a positive. What I really liked was the QB draw for 10-12 yards. Need more of that. The long run called back, was nice too.

Throw was where it needed to be but it was so nice to see Clercius make the contested play.

 

[uconnfan68]

Let's not get crazy. The kid threw for like 120 yards a game in high school. He is not going to throw for 400 yards in college. You should expect about the same amount of yards he threw today as his standard yardage.

Well, he obviously had other weapons on his HS teams... they did win 3 straight Florida class championships with him as qb.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Everyone seems to struggle to accept the fact that WE ONLY HAVE ONE HEALTHY QUARTERBACK, and it was entirely rational to have a game plan that avoided taking risk with him getting hit in games we have no chance to win anyway.

Until Tyler P is really healthy enough to go, or Millen’s shoulder allows him not just to play but throw with any accuracy, Zion is going to avoid risks. He has to.

He doesn't even try to take it up field and slide.

Lord knows how many QB's have gotten their bell rung when they slide and an LB or DB comes flying in and hits the helmet. Plus, you have the chance of a leg injury when you slide.

Even though the play was called back for holding, his long run on the scramble almost seemed to light up a bulb in his head telling him he can do this at the college level.

 

[uconnfan68]

Joly is a heck of a player. Where did Mora find him?

Position switch from TE.

 

[Waquoit]

Let's not get crazy. The kid threw for like 120 yards a game in high school. He is not going to throw for 400 yards in college. You should expect about the same amount of yards he threw today as his standard yardage.

You mean players don't get better?

 

[Stinger92860]

Millen has not shown he can throw effectively, I doubt his shoulder is 100% or ever will get back to his pre-surgery level. Puma must still be less than 100%. Should Turner get hurt, we will be in a really bad spot.

 

[metsfan2323]

I don't think the coaches wanted him to run the ball until the 2nd half today when it looked like UConn could win. Turner's QB draw totally caught Fresno's D off guard. If he keeps the D honest by running occasionally, the offense will have more opportunities.

I agree, it seemed as though he was told " we want you to start running now" and those runs along with the deep pass to Clercius changed the game.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Going on the road this week to Miami to play FIU. I would expect Zion and the rest of the south Florida Huskies to have plenty of family and friends in the stands.

 

[RedStickHusky]

Going on the road this week to Miami to play FIU. I would expect Zion and the rest of the south Florida Huskies to have plenty of family and friends in the stands.

Good recruiting opportunity when his buddies see him having success.

 

[HuskyNan]

Well, he obviously had other weapons on his HS teams... they did win 3 straight Florida class championships with him as qb.

These guys were on Zion’s team last year. I didn’t look up everyone because they’re all listed on recruiting sites and it would take all day. It might be easier to list who isn’t being recruited.

Camden Brown - Football - Auburn University Athletics

Camden BrownWide Receiver - Long wide receiver seeking his third straight state title. … 24 catches for 483 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior for Coach Roger Harriott,

auburntigers.com

Jaylen Bonelli SOPHOMORE Wide Receiver Wagner

Jaylen Bonelli - Wide receiver for Wagner on Rivals.com

n.rivals.com

Jackson Grier FRESHMAN Wide Receiver Appalachian State

Jackson Grier - Wide receiver for Appalachian St on MountaineerIllustrated

n.rivals.com

Chance Robinson 2024 Wide Receiver Miami FL

Chance Robinson - 4 Star Wide receiver for Miami (FL) on CanesCounty

n.rivals.com

 

[Kolumbo]

A few games under his belt and a reprieve from top 25 defenses should allow him and the offense to spread their wings a bit.

 

[Dizzy21]

I don’t think there is anything that can be gleaned from high school stats.

Yeah, it's not like college recruiting is largely based on those or anything.

 

[Dizzy21]

Your statement was that we can expect no more than the same performance at UConn than in Turner's HS career. So you need a helluva lot more data than that from just one college freshman six games into his career. Let me guess, a non STEM major, as Dilbert said recently?

It's very odd that someone would bring such a thing up as being STEM or not stem as having a more valid opinion. And it's a pretty poor guess btw, but expected based on what you have written....so here goes just for you...undergrad Math/stat and Econ major and grad Data Science from top school. Currently I predict human performance for one of the largest companies in the world. Since you brought it up, what are your credentials in all of this?

 

[Dizzy21]

You mean players don't get better?

Usually when making the jump to college they get worse, which is why you have so many high school kids with awesome stats that never get an offer or make it in college.

And I'm not saying he won't be a great QB, but I'm saying expecting him to become someone who regularly throws for a lot every game is maybe not the best expectation to have.