We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

[thesportsguru11]

* Go back to the last page for CFP Title Game Recap and Around the NCAA End of Year Edition.

As usual, there were some very deserving finalists this year. In the end, however, I don't think there was any contest for this year's award. Since joining the CAC alumni ranks last year, 23-year old Foxke Brihay has lit up everyone. He engineered a 10-win season as San Diego State's offensive coordinator, and then nearly pulled off a worst to first turnaround for Arizona State in one year. As the first-year head coach of the Sun Devils, Brihay coaxed a Heisman finalist season out of Mike Miles Jr. and career years out of many others, including running back Brett Brooks and defensive linemen Joel Harvey, Will Gonzalez and Tre'Shawn Dockett. ASU came one win away from reaching the New Year's Six after having no more than eight wins in the previous nine years.

The Devils limped to the finish to sour what was shaping up to be a historic season, and ASU graduates a lot of players, but the future looks to be extremely bright in Tempe.

CAC COY Winners:

2023 - Foxke Brihay (HC, Arizona State, nofx94)
2022 - Caleb Henderson (OC, E. Michigan, NewscasterNews4)
2021 - J.J. Mac (OC, UTEP, RedRaider10)

(Awarded Retroactively):
2016 OC Quinn Shea, Marshall, thesportsguru11
2017 OC Kaelyn Willingham, Rice, kswgrad2012
2018 HC Quinn Shea, USC, thesportsguru11
2019 DC Brennan Smith, Purdue, bryan3169
2020 (shared) OC Max Crenshaw, Central Michigan, whughes, HC Dale Miller, Louisiana, glunsford

CAC Year in Review

HC Quinn Shea (thesportsguru11) - Season Record: 11-3, 9-0, #12 AP, lost Pac-12 Championship, Fiesta Bowl (seventh season, eighth in CAC pool)

Carlton Corder: 210-336 (62%), 2794 yds, 29 TD, 7 INT, 99 rush, 391 yds, 2 TD
Baron Baggarly: 246 rush, 1416 yds, 17 TD
Quedell Barrett: 64 rec, 869 yds, 9 TD
Breon Atkins: 48 rec, 715 yds, 7 TD
Travarrius McPope: 74 tckl (22 TFL), 5.5 sacks, INT, FF
Kavonte Dafontay: 74 tckl (5 TFL), sack, 3 INT

HC Dale Miller (glunsford) - Season Record: 3-9, 2-6 (third season, sixth in CAC pool)

Maurice Carter: 102-241, 1369 yds, 7 TD, 17 INT, 178 rush, 541 yds, 4 TD
L.C. Chatman: 152 rush, 839 yds, 6 TD
E.J. Swift: 137 rush, 757 yds, 5 TD
Adam McQueen: 46 rec, 743 yds, 3 TD
Brad Randolph: 75 tckl (18 TFL), 5 sacks, 2 FF, FR, TD
Brandon Wadsworth: 62 tckl (5 TFL), 2 sacks

HC Bob Trebell (DrGravyBoat) - Season Record: 8-5, 4-4, won Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (fifth season, sixth in CAC pool)

Madison Terrell: 200-329, 2569 yds, 24 TD, 4 INT, rush TD
Trandon Kloss: 239 rush, 1430 yds, 8 TD
Kenny Rock: 158 rush, 813 yds, 12 TD
Jeremy Carpenter: 88 rec, 1296 yds, 10 TD
Davon Mills: 56 rec, 691 yds, 7 TD
Joa Zoriak: 90 tckl (15 TFL), 2.5 sacks
Adam Thompson: 81 tckl (18 TFL), 5 sacks
Byron Irby: 59 tckl (18 TFL), 6 sacks

HC Sam Freday (RoundingThird) - Season Record: 4-8, 3-5 (fourth season, eighth season in CAC pool)

Rowan Garrett: 165-333, 2181 yds, 14 TD, 4 INT
Quentez Terrell: 181 rush, 1003 yds, 10 TD
Brian Darby: 46 rec, 722 yds, TD
Ricky Weber: 34 rec, 500 yds, 4 TD
C.J. Ruffin: 76 tckl (7 TFL), 2 sacks
Tyree Irvin: 70 tckl (20 TFL), 4 sacks
Erik Hickman: 27 tckl, 4 INT

HC Foxke Brihay (nofx94) - Season Record: 10-3, 7-2, lost Valero Alamo Bowl, #18 AP (first season, second season in CAC pool)

Mike Miles Jr.: 186-294, 2696 yds, 26 TD, 6 INT, 207 rush, 1064 yds, 10 TD
Brett Brooks: 259 rush, 1332 yds, 10 TD
Corey Moore: 113 rush, 612 yds, 7 TD
Ben Bower: 58 rec, 804 yds, 5 TD
Matt Jones: 53 rec, 744 yds, 11 TD
Tre’Shawn Dockett: 81 tckl (14 TFL), 4 sacks, FF
Will Gonzalez: 71 tckl (21 TFL), 6 sacks, FF
Ryan Gipson: 34 tckl, 3 INT

HC Kaelyn Willingham (kswgrad2012) - Season Record: 6-7, 3-6, lost Intel Silicon Valley Classic (sixth season, eighth in CAC pool)

Beckett Lofton: 107-223, 1507 yds, 15 TD, 11 INT, 162 rush, 543 yds, 4 TD
Brian Pittman: 182 rush, 993 yds, 5 TD
Je’Various Phillips: 225 rush, 912 yds, 6 TD
Raven Robinson: 37 rec, 514 yds, 7 TD
Vernon Faison: 109 tckl (17 TFL), 3.5 sacks, INT
J.T. Martin: 62 tckl (21 TFL), 6.5 sacks
Corey Davison: 49 tckl (17 TFL), 7.5 sacks

HC Connor Turley (convict38) - Season Record: 6-7, 4-4, lost Buffalo Wild Wings Cactus Bowl (first season, fifth season in CAC pool)

Bubba Collins: 93-222, 1311 yds, 7 TD, 9 INT
Josh Key: 228 rush, 1286 yds, 15 TD
Tim Nichols: 196 rush, 970 yds, 7 TD
James Armstrong: 46 rec, 677 yds, 7 TD
Kurtis Drysbeck: 101 tckl (31 TFL), 9 sacks, INT, FF (true freshman)
Robert Roberson: 78 tckl (16 TFL), 5 sacks
Lonzell Buckley: 76 tckl (36 TFL), 13 sacks
Waydell Johns: 61 tckl, 2 sacks, 2 INT

HC William Brooks (TheOtherPotterGuy) - Season Record: 6-7, 4-4, lost Chevron Holiday Bowl (first season, fourth in CAC pool)

LeVince Drybeck: 206-454, 2840 yds, 21 TD, 17 INT, 103 rush, 550 yds, TD
Dedrick Coley: 103 rush, 550 yds, TD
Jaelon Duggan: 73 rec, 1077 yds, 8 TD
Chase Kelly: 51 rec, 712 yds, 9 TD
Ian Day: 125 tckl (26 TFL), 6.5 sacks, 2 INT, 7 FF, 3 FR
Brian Hall: 94 tckl (17 TFL), 3 sacks
Lester Thomas: 56 tckl (2 sacks), 3 INT

HC Caleb Henderson (NewscasterNews4) - Season Record: 9-4, 6-3, won Poinsettia Bowl (first season at position, fourth in CAC pool)

Franklin Brady: 276-540, 3823 yds, 38 TD, 16 INT, 197 rush, 696 yds, 6 TD
DeAaron Woodley: 69 rush, 365 yds, 3 TD
Byron Motley: 95 rec, 1424 yds, 13 TD
Brian Boyd: 78 rec, 1116 yds, 16 TD
J.T. Dennison: 96 tckl (23 TFL), 6 sacks, 3 INT, 3 FF
Riley Bosworth: 87 tckl (17 TFL), 4.5 sacks, 5 INT, FR
Kalvin Bonner: 83 tckl (23 TFL), 5.5 sacks, 3 FF

OC Brian Woodard (mattynokes) - Season Record: 1-11, 0-9 (fourth season, eighth in CAC pool)

Justice Duvont: 177-371, 2381 yds, 20 TD, 14 INT, 196 rush, 898 yds, 3 TD
Damon Bucolo: 65 rush, 414 yds, 4 TD
Yannick Pither: 42 rec, 671 yds, 5 TD
Brad Witherspoon: 37 rec, 560 yds, 9 TD


OC Jordan James (HARLEE23) - Season Record: 4-8, 2-7 (first season, seventh in CAC pool)

David Nicholas: 151-332, 1900 yds, 14 TD, 12 INT, 2 rush TD
De’Andre Galloway: 162 rush, 757 yds, 8 TD
Kenny Davidson: 50 rec, 567 yds, 5 TD

DC Brennan Smith (bryan3169) - Season Record: 4-8, 2-7 (first season, sixth in CAC pool)

Blake Felder: 80 tckl (17 TFL), 5.5 sacks, FF
Kavon Billingsley: 77 tckl (13 TFL), 3 sacks, FF
Montez Dupree: 61 tckl, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, FF, FR
Randell Stuhl: 43 tckl, 4 INT

DC Xavier Stephenson (young22) - Season Record: 7-5, 4-4, lost Fidelity Financial Bowl (first season)

Josh Dickson: 102 tckl (21 TFL), 6.5. sacks, 2 INT, FF
Shane Meredith: 71 tckl (15 TFL), 4.5 sacks
Brydell Siler: 56 tckl (13 TFL), 4.5 sacks
Jason Kelly: 40 tckl, 4 INT

OC Tyrell Coley (Knickerbocker91) - Season Record: 5-7, 3-6 (sixth season)

Xavier Browne: 138-284, 1955 yds, 19 TD, 11 INT, 409 rush yds, 2 TD
John Keenan: 146 rush, 708 yds, 7 TD
Torrance Ardois: 123 rush, 647 yds, 6 TD
Woodrow Shuman: 72 rec, 989 yds, 10 TD
Brendan Tangier: 36 rec, 466 yds, 5 TD

OC Ricky Jacobsen (slicknick3822) - Season Record: 5-7, 4-4 (third season)

Graham Saulsberry: 103-243, 1417 yds, 13 TD, 8 INT, 145 rush, 537 yds, 3 TD
Courtney Townsend: 216 rush, 1280 yds, 9 TD
Cliff Stone: 98 yds, 511 yds, 5 TD
JaCorey Sullivan: 51 rec, 814 yds, 6 TD


DC Bud Kilmer Jr. (xboxxerx) - Season Record: 3-9, 1-7 (second season)

Antone Freeney: 87 tckl (18 TFL), 5 sacks, INT
Galen Plunkett: 62 tkcl (21 TFL), 5 sacks, 2 FF, FR
Joe Clark: 57 tckl (13 TFL), 5 sacks
Jeff Roach: 20 tckl, 3 INT

OC Matthew King (ThaBoss18) - Season Record: 8-5, 5-4, won New Era Pinstripe Bowl (sixth season)

Lionel Armstrong: 154-284, 2062 yds, 17 TD, 13 INT, 192 rush, 976 yds, 8 TD
Ryan Peterson: 194 rush, 914 yds, 7 TD
Amos Zaxby: 119 rush, 515 yds, 6 TD
Clint Lowe: 41 rec, 479 yds, 6 TD

OC Emmett Nama (BookWork123) - Season Record: 2-10, 1-7 (first season, fifth in CAC pool)

Axel Houk: 170-340, 2369 yds, 19 TD, 9 INT
Tevan Cleveland: 169 rush, 859 yds, 6 TD
Nick Sharp: 100 rush, 531 yds, 5 TD
Westen Oden: 67 rec, 942 yds, 6 TD
Elliott MacLean: 35 rec, 564 yds, 5 TD

OC Ryan Sorbera (YaBoySorbs) - Season Record: 7-6, 5-4, won Las Vegas Bowl (second season)

Sebastian Safanarian: 129-254, 1587 yds, 19 TD, 3 INT, 256 rush yds, 4 TD
Mike Rutledge: 299 rush, 1896 yds, 19 TD
Travis Moore: 147 rush, 783 yds, 6 TD
Eddie Martin: 37 rec, 451 yds, 8 TD

OC Equanimeous St. Brown Sr. (TheRosterMaster) - Season Record: 2-10, 1-8 (fifth season)

Kendall Trotter: 208-414, 2924 yds, 22 TD, 13 INT, 3 rush TD
Terrance Falardy: 120 rush, 801 yds, 14 TD
Robert Scott: 113 rush, 675 yds, 3 TD
Charles Cade: 52 rec, 946 yds, 9 TD

OC J.J. Mac (RedRaider10) - Season Record: 4-8, 3-6 (sixth season)

Fausto Garcia: 123-252, 1609 yds, 15 TD, 8 INT, 169 rush, 758 yds, 8 TD
Patrick Robinson: 179 rush, 1067 yds, 6 TD
Isaiah Langford: 157 rush, 899 yds, 8 TD
A.J. Carter: 55 rec, 755 yds, 6 TD

OC Trent Davis (UKWildcat999) - Season Record: 5-7, 5-4 (sixth season)

Bray Carter: 178-311, 2422 yds, 25 TD, 7 INT, 376 rush yds, 3 TD
Tason Adaloupe: 212 rush, 1106 yds, 9 TD
C.J. Sannon: 100 rush, 440 yds, 3 TD
Joseph Garrett: 48 rush, 784 yds, 5 TD


OC Frankie Francisco (BigPlayJ1220) - Season Record: 4-8 (second season)

Deantwan Lake: 224-347, 2843 yds, 27 TD, 13 INT, 185 rush, 734 yds, 11 TD
Larry Smith: 136 rush, 629 yds, 8 TD
Anerrick Hopper: 76 rec, 840 yds, 9 TD
Zac Kidd: 53 rec, 848 yds, 9 TD

OC Brian Grant (LadiesAndEdelman) - Season Record: 1-11, 0-9 (third season, sixth season)

Cody Barberie: 171-343, 2254 yds, 25 TD, 20 INT, 129 rush, 512 yds, 3 TD
Eddie Ross: 101 rush, 510 yds
Joe Johnson: 63 rec, 1019 yds, 14 TD
Anthony Jacobs: 57 rec, 624 yds, 5 TD

OC Richard Harrison (itsbigmike) - Season Record: 3-9, 2-7 (second season)

Austin Jefferson: 189-368, 2319 yds, 17 TD, 15 INT
Mike Massey: 169 rush, 856 yds, 7 TD
Joel Hardy: 46 rec, 557 yds, 4 TD
LaDante Reynolds: 33 rec, 483 yds, 4 TD

OC Max Crenshaw (whughes) - Season Record: 6-6, 5-4, not invited to bowl game (eighth season)

Michael Fordinal: 124-292, 1700 yds, 13 TD, 4 INT
Dane Johnson: 173 rush, 958 yds, 10 TD
Curtis Gaddis: 95 rush, 540 yds, 2 TD
Will White: 60 rec, 716 yds, 5 TD
Christian Coleman: 43 rec, 620 yds, 7 TD

OC Ryan Malloy (FootballFanatik) - Season Record: 2-10, 2-7 (second season, fourth in CAC pool)

Kory Lamoreaux: 100-191, 1243 yds, 10 TD, 5 INT
Reggie Wilson: 93-210, 1074 yds, 8 TD, 6 INT
Justice Hill-Hawley: 174 rush, 798 yds, 7 TD
Tom Hall: 125 rush, 646 yds, TD
Lee McCutcheon: 68 rec, 846 yds, 10 TD

OC Theron Sorensen (ronnysauce) - Season Record: 5-7, 3-6 (second season)

Abdul Jafar: 130-296, 1804 yds, 18 TD, 10 INT
Kwasmo Momoh: 271 rush, 1466 yds, 9 TD
Sylvester Bolen: 84 rush, 478 yds, 6 TD
Jon Thomas: 61 rec, 877 yds, 7 TD
Kordriz Archer: 32 rec, 534 yds, 6 TD

OC Jerome Baumann (RaiderAid89) - Season Record: 8-5, 5-3, lost NextEra Energy Citrus Bowl (first season, fifth season in CAC pool)

Tra Poland: 229-365, 3493 yds, 36 TD, 10 INT
Da’quintin Beder: 166 rush, 864 yds, 8 TD
Andrew Smith: 128 rush, 806 yds, 5 TD
Matt Boyd: 52 rec, 699 yds, 9 TD
Maleikh Byrd: 49 rec, 830 yds, 9 TD
Da’Vante Lawrence: 41 rec, 684 yds, 5 TD

OC Spanky Westside (Trevor3_2009) - Season Record: 5-7, 2-6 (first season, fifth in CAC pool)

Eddie Concepcion: 164-312, 2329 yds, 20 TD, 11 INT, 369 rush, 4 TD
Liante Sedgewick: 220 rush, 1188 yds, 5 TD
Gerald Goodman: 121 rush, 539 yds, 4 TD
Ahmad Coleman: 56 rec, 845 yds, 5 TD
Jashawn Landis: 54 rec, 716 yds, 9 TD

OC Brett Favre (hudso3) - Season Record: 9-4, 4-3, lost Gander Outdoors Independence Bowl (fourth season)

Gunnar Moran: 155-284, 2296 yds, 21 TD, 4 INT
Bobby Jackson: 198 rush, 983 yds, 7 TD
Khalil Duran: 67 rec, 991 yds, 15 TD
Veshon Haley: 34 rec, 427 yds, 3 TD

OC Laurence Gilbert (Mike7Vinas) - Season Record: 7-6, 5-2, lost GoDaddy Hall of Fame Classic (second season, sixth in CAC pool)

A.J. Dalton: 140-312, 1929 yds, 18 TD, 12 INT, 249 rush, 1185 yds, 8 TD
Dontay Bertrand: 182 rush, 901 yds, 5 TD
Claudell Battle: 51 rec, 654 yds, 5 TD
Ross Burke: 44 rec, 702 yds, 7 TD (true freshman)

[thesportsguru11]

NFL Season In Review; Cam and Cowboys snap long title drought with Super Bowl LVIII triumph

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Dallas Cowboys are NFL Champions, taking Super Bowl LVIII in a 28-21 triumph over the Brooklyn Beats (formerly the Buffalo Bills). The Cowboys, led by quarterback Cam Newton, won the NFC East with an 11-5 record but could only settle for the fourth seed in the NFC playoffs. Once in the playoffs, Dallas defeated NFL MVP Michael O’Connor and the Green Bay Packers, then knocked off the second ranked Vikings in Minnesota and Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game.

In the Big Game, Dallas met the upstart Beats, who enjoyed a tremendous run through the AFC Playoffs on the arm of Pro Bowl QB Jerrod Heard. Winning the AFC East at only 8-8, Brooklyn knocked off Cleveland, the London Black Knights and then Cincinnati to reach SBLVIII.

Newton, the fourteen-year veteran, passed for three touchdowns to help the Cowboys, receiving game MVP honors in the process. This is the first Super Bowl victory for Newton.

Elsewhere around the league, defending Super Bowl Champion Miami Dolphins missed the playoffs at 7-8-1, while the resurgent Atlanta Falcons finished as the league’s best team at 14-2. They were defeated by the Eagles in the Divisional Round. The New Orleans Saints finished as the league’s worst team for the second year in a row, recording a 3-13 record. They have the top draft choice in April’s selection meeting, but it is unknown if they plan to keep the selection.

New England, one year after firing Mike Tomlin as head coach, saw Bill Belichick return to the helm for a year, and then abruptly retire at the end of a poor 5-11 season. Bill’s re-retirement was surprising considering that he was only there for a year, but it makes even more likely the possibility of UConn head coach Steve Belichick, Bill’s son and former Patriots safeties coach, to take the reins in Foxboro. The Patriots are mired in a 20-year Super Bowl drought.

UConn in the NFL

(note: there are other UConn alums still kicking around in this universe before the Diaco era (Sio Moore, Ryan Griffin, Dwayne Gratz, etc.), but we don’t cover them).

Another year, another poor showing for our UConn alumni. Former defensive end Cam Stapleton once again had the best year by far of any former Diaco/Belichick era UConn player in the league, contributing seven sacks in his sixth year in the NFL. The 29-year-old has 42 career sacks and remains a perennial Pro Bowl candidate.

Shav Wade, the best defensive player in the dynasty’s history, is continuing to (albeit very slowly) develop into an NFL starter. After dealing with various injuries as a rookie, Wade finally got some more regular playing time in year two with the London Black Knights, tallying 42 tackles but only one interception (Wade is UConn’s all-time leader in that statistic). Wade has another chance to become a starter for the Knights in 2024. Wade is teammates with former defensive tackle T.J. Newell, who has carved out a solid career as a backup, having now completed his fourth season in the NFL.

Wade’s former teammates Isaac Jackson and Luke Williamson had trying years; Jackson did win a Super Bowl as Cam Newton’s backup, but did not receive any playing time and remains buried on the depth chart. Williamson, meanwhile, got cut by the Denver Broncos midway through the season and remains in free agency. Most teams fear that he has too many “miles” on his knees, stemming back to his heavy usage at UConn. Williamson’s former backfield battery mate J.P. Byers has stuck on the Vikings roster, getting 59 yards in limited action as a rookie.

UConn’s offensive linemen continue to do well, as Josh Parrish (Philadelphia), Ryan Smelley (San Diego) continue to be key backups. Former guard Trey Rutherford, a member of the 2017 national title team, stunningly made the Broncos’ roster after playing overseas, in the XFL and after expectations of being no more than a camp body. Rutherford was a key backup last year, but has a chance to compete for the starting job next year.

Other former UConn NFLers include Rashad Harris, a pre-Speier/Byrom wide receiver who has been a backup for the Raiders for the past three years, Ross Sinclair, a former safety who spent the year on the New York Giants’ IR, longtime Redskins’ backup linebacker Marcus Bradford, Miami's rookie linebacker Mike Hill and the great Sam Rourke, who remains stuck in perpetual free agency (75 ovr).

Former defensive standouts John Cox and Altarri Gardner matriculated to the CFL this year, and former defensive backs Vic Castalanetta and Tony Rush remain active in the XFL.

We’re going to assume that Jamar Summers and Jake Crowder are… out of football? In jail? Selling real estate? Drugs? Dead? I’ll let you fill in the blanks there.


*We'll talk more about the 2024 NFL Draft later.

[thesportsguru11]

“WE’RE ON TO THE NFL”

UConn head coach Steve Belichick accepts same position with NFL’s New England Patriots

Over and out. After a wildly successful three season run at UConn, Steve Belichick is on to bigger and better pastures, as expected after not renewing his contract at any point over the last year. After his father Bill Belichick served as a one-year stopgap as the head coach of the New England Patriots after leaving the franchise some five years earlier, Bill stepped down, a planned move, as it turned out, to pave the way for his son. The Patriots announced that Stephen inked a four-year, $36 million contract and will leave UConn after winning his second national championship last week. The move was first hinted at by a tweet from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport in December, but Belichick showed no indication that he was leaving before completing the season.

“I’m thankful for Bobby [Valentine, UConn A.D.] for giving me a chance and for allowing us to have as much success as we have. I’m grateful for the Kraft family as well for allowing me to take this position. I can’t wait to get to work,” commented the younger Belichick. He leaves UConn with a 37-6 total record in three years, with the two national titles and two ACC Championships.

Steve, a Rutgers grad, was hired by UConn as a first time head coach after serving for nearly a decade as the New England Patriots’ safeties coach. A high-risk, high-reward move at the time, Valentine hired Belichick due to his name, previous professional experience, youth and knowledge of the region, all of which proved to be valuable traits in his flawless leadership of the program. Belichick turned several of his and former Coach Diaco’s recruits into professional prospects through his leadership; UConn could be in line to send almost a dozen prospects to the NFL this year, a program record.

Belichick’s success came, in part, from superb preparation and knowing when to defer to his assistants. This was most noteworthy when offensive coordinator Dan Orlovsky took the offensive coordinator job this year, and the former UConn quarterback molded UConn’s young offense into one of the best in the sport’s history. Belichick was also a stout recruiter, turning New Jersey into a major pipeline while also plucking several prospects from New England, expanding further south into ACC territory and UConn’s former reach into Big 12 territory. There were also no major discipline or academic issues in Belichick’s tenure, unlike the many exploits of the Diaco era.

“He was exactly the head coach I wanted to hire to continue our program’s ascent to the next level,” commented Valentine. “Of course we’re sad to see him go, but we all love him for all he’s done for us, and we know that he’ll have even more success in the NFL.”

Replacements?

Valentine did not give specifics about a replacement, but indicated he has something lined up. The obvious assumption here is that offensive coordinator Dan Orlovsky has been contacted about the opening and will accept the offer to coach his alma mater soon.

Orlovsky is the heavy favorite to replace Belichick, but if he declines the job or elects to go somewhere else, other possible candidates are less obvious. Rumors have floated around USC head coach Quinn Shea for years about a return to New England as a Massachusetts native, and he could be in play. Boise State head coach Barry Odom might be another option, UConn’s popular former defensive coordinator. However, he may be the favorite for his alma mater Missouri’s soon-to-be open head coaching job. UConn alum Sam Freday, current UNLV head coach, was believed to be a contender for the UConn head coaching job in 2021 and might be considered again for his “dream job.” The only major factor working against Freday is his subpar record in four years as UNLV’s head coach.

Valentine said he hopes to have a new head coach within the next week.

Defensive Coordinator Don Pellum announces retirement

After two years serving as UConn’s defensive headman, Don Pellum, 62, announced his retirement from coaching not long after the Belichick announcement. “It’s time for me to move back to the west coast to spend some time with my family and try something new,” said Pellum with a smile. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with these guys at UConn, and for the chance to go out on top.”

Pellum came to UConn in early 2022 after a seven-year stint as head coach at Colorado, accumulating a 44-44 record. Along with simply coming to the school, Pellum was able to convince young outside linebacker Marlon Bush Jr., from Ohio, to move closer to home and follow him to UConn. Bush became a starter this year and had a productive first year; he has two years of eligibility left. Before Colorado, Pellum was the co-defensive coordinator of Oregon’s 2014 national title run and spent 20 years with the school before that, working at a variety of positions.

The UConn defense had some growing pains in 2023 after replacing several starters, but they gelled late in the year and were lauded during the playoff run for stellar play. They held the second and third best teams in the nation to a combined 40 points over two games, led by junior end and national sacks leader Kiel Hughes and sophomore linebacker Marshawn Dortch. Pellum and his experience working with all defensive position groups was also critical in recruiting young stars Payton Ash and Demetris Sands, both freshman All-Americans this year. UConn is set to lose only two defensive contributors to graduation, but might lose more to transfers, position changes or the NFL. This means that UConn could once again boast a young defense next year, so the new defensive coordinator might be able to mold the look of the unit as he desires.

Potential replacements for Pellum are unclear at this time, though if Orlovsky becomes the head coach, it is most likely that a former UConn player could step in as a first-time coordinator.

[thesportsguru11]

THE END OF AN ERA

UConn’s “Big Three”, Jordan Brown, Byrom, Speier, declare for NFL Draft

Not long after the departure of their head coach, the current era of UConn football officially ended. As expected, the UConn “Big Three” is breaking up. Heisman winning quarterback Jordan Brown and stud junior wide receivers Lonte' Speier and Chamarkelle Byrom all announced their intentions to declare for the NFL Draft in a joint press conference this morning.

“We all came to campus together, and we have done all we could have ever dreamed of doing,” commented Jordan. “Now it’s time to take our talents to the big leagues and capitalize on our success here.”

Jordan became UConn’s first Heisman Trophy winner this season, setting NCAA records with 5,942 passing yards and 59 touchdowns, adding seven more on the ground for a mind-boggling 67 in total. Jordan also broke every major single season UConn passing record by a mile as well as several career records, despite being the starter for only two years. He finishes his career with 656 completions on 970 attempts for a 67.6 completion percentage, 9,388 yards and 90 touchdowns, plus 11 more on the ground.

Byrom and Speier have been starters since day one at UConn and both enjoyed career years as juniors. The two led the nation in receiving yards, Speier recording 1,674 for a school record, while Byrom added 1,613 and 17 touchdowns, a school record. Speier won the Biletnikoff Award this year and finishes his career with 210 catches for 3,696 yards and 31 touchdowns - the latter two are UConn career records. Byrom was the higher ranked recruit of the two and eventually fell behind Speier in terms of the wide receiver pecking order, but still finishes his time at UConn with similarly stellar statistics - 206 receptions, 3,625 yards and 30 touchdowns over his three seasons.

The three were viewed at the top of one of UConn’s most loaded recruiting classes, now former Coach Belichick’s first in 2021. Byrom, an athletic freak, was the centerpiece as a five-star recruit out of Faribault, MN. Speier was a four-star recruit out of North Carolina while Jordan was a “gem” three-star prospect from outside of Houston that we compared to Tom Brady (or Aaron Rodgers) before he ever even committed to play for UConn. It is very clear that all three will receive A+ grades in the annual recruiting class recap when we get that far.

Looking to next year, Jordan’s departure was not a shock and UConn has been prepared to replace him. His classmate Kelly Carlson, a rising redshirt junior, has been rumored to be considering using a graduate transfer to move back to his home state of Illinois, but has denied any such rumor at this time. Carlson, Linzell Tyson and Alex Paige have all attempted passes, but of course Tyson and Paige play other positions now. Carlson would almost certainly be the Week 1 starter next fall should he stay, but will still need to fend off challenges from former Elite 11 prospect Alex Ferguson, who used a redshirt this year, and incoming freshman Cooper Steutel. Tyson and Paige, and safety Morgan Bench (another high school quarterback) could still be options in an emergency.

Byrom and Speier’s departures mean that UConn will lose at least their top five wide receivers from this year’s team. UConn’s slated group of returnees at that position have combined for just four catches at the collegiate level (all by Hunter Carson, a redshirt junior next fall and another candidate to possibly become a graduate transfer). Carson, redshirt freshman John Pratt and redshirt sophomore Darrell Jones are the only other wide receivers who were on the team this year, and it is unknown if any or all will return. Incoming freshmen Rymone Jones Jr., Shomar Webster, Jurdel Richard and DeAndre Carrington are all candidates to play next fall, while other possible replacements through recruiting are still making their decisions (Tremayne Woodard, Henry Hodge IV, Junior Hall and Eric Cook, most notably).

It’s expected news, but it’s bittersweet nonetheless. “We love UConn, and we’re thankful for everything the school has done for us,” commented Jordan. Needless to say, I think the inverse of that statement holds true also.

Career Stats:
Brown: 656-970 (67.6%), 9,388 yards, 90 TD, 34 INT, 201 rush, 340 yards, 11 TD
Speier: 210 receptions, 3,696 yards, 31 TD
Byrom: 206 receptions, 3,625 yards, 30 TD


UConn School Records Held by the “Big Three” (as far as I keep track, anyway)
Jordan Brown:
Career Passing Touchdowns - 90 (prev. 84, Dan Orlovsky)
Season Total Yards - 5,719 (prev. 4,051, Isaac Jackson)
Season Pass Attempts - 609 (prev. 475, Dan Orlovsky)
Season Pass Completions - 406 (prev. 288, Dan Orlovsky)
Season Pass Yards - 5,842, (prev. 3998, Isaac Jackson) NCAA RECORD
Season Touchdowns - 59 (prev. 35, Isaac Jackson) NCAA RECORD
Game Touchdown Passes - 7 (done twice, prev. 5, multiple)
Game Total Offense - 513 vs. North Carolina (prev. 502, Tanner Dean-Lowry)
Game Completions - 45 vs. North Carolina (prev. 39, Dan Orlovsky)
Game Pass Yards - 513 vs. North Carolina (prev. 481, Isaac Jackson)
Probably highest completion % in game/season/career? and I’m sure countless others

Lonte’ Speier
Career Receiving Yards - 3,696 (prev. 3535, Mark Didio)
Career Receiving Touchdowns - 30 (prev. 25, Rashad Harris)
Season Receiving Yards - 1,674 (prev. 1354, Mark Didio)

Chamarkelle Byrom
Season Receptions - 94 (prev. 88, Mark Didio)
Season Receiving Touchdowns - 17 (prev. 12, Rashad Harris)
(Byrom also passed the previous records for season touchdowns and career/season yards, but behind Speier)

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KDL, Brook, Hughes, Greening also turning pro; Paige staying

In addition to the big three, four other key UConn starters are leaving to go pro as well. Guard/Tackle Korey Davis-Love, defensive end Kiel Hughes and defensive backs Aaron Brook and Tory Greening all announced through social media that they are leaving UConn to turn pro. Hughes, Brook and Greening are fourth year juniors and will graduate in May, while KDL was part of the 2021 recruiting class. All four have been multi-year starters, while KDL started all 43 games in his career.

Alex Paige, meanwhile, the former quarterback turned tight end from California, has announced his intentions to stay at UConn for his final year of eligibility, the final possible early declaree candidate. The redshirt junior posted nearly 1,000 yards receiving in his second full season at the position and showed improvement as a blocker.

Brook and Greening were the top prospects in the 2020 recruiting class, while Hughes was a more under the radar four-star prospect. While they were not necessarily program-changing defensive players, the trio were important starters on the defense for much of the past two years. Hughes helped his draft status immensely with another solid season this year, but a massive seven-sack outburst during the College Football Playoff. He might have been helped by another year at UConn, but with a coaching change and his draft stock rising, he likely decided to strike while the iron is hot. Hughes might need a solid showing at the NFL Combine to help his draft stock.

KDL was the second highest-ranked prospect in the 2021 class along with Byrom, Speier and running back Jon Shaffer. KDL was not as good as his ratings might have indicated, but he was certainly not helped by moving around a few times, later from his natural position of right guard to right tackle. It is unclear what position KDL will play in the NFL.

KDL’s departure is a big blow to a thin offensive line. The Huskies are hoping to land prized local recruit Marco Ciacci to fill the now vacant right tackle spot, while training camp star Tyree Tate could be another candidate. Hughes will likely be replaced by the player he beat out for his starting role two years ago, Brennick Samples, barring a graduate transfer (Samples, from Maryland, will graduate in May but still has a year of eligibility if he decides to leave).

Greening’s top cornerback role will be filled by athlete dynamo Linzell Tyson, a rising junior who starred with seven interceptions this year. Kelvin Cooke, redshirt freshman D’Vaughn Bates, former JUCO transfer Ahmir Rider and incoming freshman Syvelle Wade will likely compete for the other spot. Brook’s safety spot will likely be filled by an incoming recruit.


Career stats:
KDL: 16 pancakes, 30 sacks allowed
Hughes: 83 tackles (46 TFL), 25 sacks, FF, 2 FR
Greening: 119 tackles (5 TFL), 7 INT, FF
Brook: 123 tackles (5 TFL), 5 INT

----------------------------------------------------

NFL Draft Preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is likely to be the deepest in years. Jordan Brown, Arizona State’s Mike Miles Jr. and Kai Tago from Oregon are at the top of the board and the quarterback class, which is as deep as ever. Other likely first round picks from the QB spot include Vontez Taylor from Wisconsin, Loren Talgett from Fresno State, Tal Bunch from Oklahoma.

The New Orleans Saints hold the top selection for the second straight year but do not need a quarterback, having selected Florida’s Chase Browne last year. It is unclear if they will trade away the top pick.

For our UConn guys, Jordan will be in the hunt for the #1 choice, while Speier will likely be a mid-first round selection. Byrom is likely a late-first round pick. Brook and Greening project to be mid-round picks, while KDL and Hughes will be likely be late round selections or priority undrafted free agents. Other notable players that could garner NFL interest are part-time defensive tackle starter Jeremy Broadricke, wide receivers Devin Brown and Marcus Rodgers, and senior linebacker Kion East.

Other playmakers and collegiate stars line the board in tailback Kaliontay Reed from Ohio State, USC’s Baron Baggarly, Georgia Tech speedster Tavin Stocker and Oregon’s Willie Taylor. Potential stars at wide receiver exist in Landon Puckett from Michigan State, Di’Onta Gray from Ole Miss, Oklahoma’s Kevin Porter, Ohio State’s Karnell Washington and Biletnikoff winner Lonte’ Speier from UConn, all projected first round picks.

Further down the board, look out for future franchise cornerstones in Ole Miss’ spectacular left tackle Doug Dortch and Texas center Nathan Cochran. Stud defensive end Dantre’ Mueller from Auburn, nose tackle Andrew Adams from Georgia and corner Darrin Stevens from Texas are among the premier defensive players in the class.

Noteworthy Underclassmen Declaring

Jordan Brown (QB, UConn, JR, 99 OVR)
Tal Bunch (QB, Oklahoma, rJR, 95 OVR)
Kaliontay Reed (RB, Ohio State, JR, 94 OVR)
Thad Bainbridge (RB, Notre Dame, rJR, 95 OVR)
Eric Baker (RB, SMU, rJR, 90 OVR)
Landon Puckett (WR, Michigan State, JR, 98 OVR)
Lonte' Speier (WR, UConn, JR, 94 OVR)
Chamarkelle Byrom (WR, UConn, JR, 93 OVR)
Brandon Garner (WR, Oregon, JR, 93 OVR)
Bryghton Mock (WR, Florida, JR, 92 OVR)
Eboniray Potter (WR, Notre Dame, JR, 91 OVR)
Maliekh Byrd (WR, Mississippi State, rJR, 90 OVR)
Doug Dortch (T, Ole Miss, rSO, 91 OVR)
Sam Ashcroft (T, Ole Miss, JR, 88 OVR)
Dantre' Mueller (DE, Auburn, JR, 88 OVR)
Mautofi Lake'like (DE, Ole Miss, JR, 90 OVR)
Will Robinson (DE, Cal, rJR, 92 OVR)
Nick Watkins (DT, Missouri, JR, 93 OVR)
Nwkende Bososo (DT, Ole Miss, JR, 90 OVR)
J.T. Dennison (LB, Eastern Michigan, JR, 93 OVR)
Mo Kalini'i (LB, North Carolina, JR, 90 OVR)
Darrin Stevens (CB, Texas, JR, 93 OVR)
Brad Royal (CB, Boston College, JR, 92 OVR)
Tuarez Langley (S, NC State, JR, 90 OVR)
Brydon Richwalski (S, Notre Dame, rJR, 92 OVR)

[djp73]

Outstanding run, looks like you have a bit of a rebuild/reload season coming up. I like what you do with grad transfers and such, there's way more player movement now than there was when the game came out.

Interested to see how the coaching staff plays out and those additional recruits and transfers you'd mentioned.

How can I get in as a coach?

[Deuce2223]

Pretty sure Boise State needs a new OC to..

[thesportsguru11]

Reserve RB Shaffer graduate transfers to Oklahoma State

UConn’s unexpected losses continue to pile up in the wake of their biggest victory. After losing seven players to the NFL Draft, UConn is set to lose at least one more.

Reserve running back Jon Shaffer (82 OVR), a rising redshirt junior from Jeanerette, Louisiana, is set to use a graduate transfer to move to Oklahoma State for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, his last two years of eligibility. The move to Oklahoma State coincides with the Cowboys hiring a new coach; former Mt. Union and current Ball State head coach Vince Kehres is likely the hire following the dismissal of Mark Hudpseth after an eight-year tenure.

Shaffer, a former four-star prospect, was once considered a top prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, alongside future NFL players Jordan Brown, Lonte’ Speier, Chamarkelle Byrom and Korey Davis-Love.

However, the "balanced" tailback never found his footing in the running back rotation and only played sparingly over his three years in Storrs/East Hartford. Shaffer redshirted in 2021, got passed by mega-freshman Ashanti Swift in 2022 and sat on the bench for almost all of 2023, his redshirt sophomore year. He received some playing time after Swift’s broken collarbone, but Mike Molden ended up with the lion’s share of the carries as UConn moved to a pass-first offense instead of the pro style look UConn has employed throughout much of the dynasty.

Shaffer, who lived in Oklahoma until middle school, said on Twitter that his move will help give him a better chance at playing time. With longtime back Molden’s impending graduation, Shaffer would have projected as the top backup next fall behind rising junior Swift, who returns with 361 carries and 1,623 total yards in two seasons (technically one and a half).

With Shaffer’s departure, Bethel, Connecticut native and fellow redshirt junior Scottie Phillips will likely become Swift’s top backup. Phillips only has one career carry for negative two yards. Incoming freshmen Trey Kelley and De’Ante Stanley will help round out the rotation, while California native Drew Hurd is still making his recruiting decision and could be a factor if he comes to UConn, as could a number of other “athletes” entering the program later this spring. Offensive Coordinator and technically interim head coach Dan Orlovsky has stated that there could be more movement in or out of that position in coming weeks.

Shaffer concludes his time at UConn with a total of 44 carries for 202 yards and no touchdowns.

UConn Projected RB Depth Chart 2024 (with Projected OVRs):
1 Ashanti Swift JR 6’1 212 95 OVR
5 Scottie Phillips rJR 5’10 230 80 OVR
-- De’Ante Stanley FR 6’0 195 70 OVR
-- Trey Kelley FR 6’1 204 68 OVR

Drew Hurd FR 6’2 200 73 OVR (still awaiting letter of intent)

---------------------------------------------------------------


Rumors, Hearsay on Other Possible Transfers

As for other possible rumored graduate transfers, Shaffer is the only one who has made a formal announcement at this time. Other rumored/possible graduate transfer candidates include:

Rising fourth-year junior QB Kelly Carlson (proj. 91 OVR), from Illinois, UConn’s projected starting quarterback next year (Not Likely?)
Rising fourth-year junior WR Hunter Carson (proj. 78 OVR), from South Carolina, might get passed by incoming freshmen (Likely?)
Rising fifth-year senior DE Brennick Samples (proj. 85 OVR), from Maryland, career backup (Maybe?)
Rising fourth-year junior DE DeAaron Kensing (proj. 82 OVR, poor work ethic/development traits) (Maybe?)
Rising fifth-year senior S (ATH) Collin Miranda (proj. ??), from New Mexico, has played multiple positions at UConn (Maybe, but lean not likely?)

Note: UConn has only four projected fifth-year seniors on the roster next year. I believe we're looking at less than a dozen seniors in total. Any of these guys departing might hurt the squad purely from an experience standpoint.

Quote: Originally Posted by djp73

Outstanding run, looks like you have a bit of a rebuild/reload season coming up. I like what you do with grad transfers and such, there's way more player movement now than there was when the game came out. Interested to see how the coaching staff plays out and those additional recruits and transfers you'd mentioned.

Thanks djp. From the start of the season it was a win or else mentality, and I'm glad we were able to pick up Natty #3 with the most talented offense I think I have ever assembled. We're absolutely due for a down year in 2024, much like our dip from 15-0 to 9-4 after our first title all those years ago. Simply too many new faces and too many young/inexperienced guys stepping in, you just cannot replace all of our stars at once.

The coaching search was a wild saga as we went from Diaco and Belichick a few years ago, but this one will be more tame. Orlovsky is the obvious successor, and I see no reason he leaves, UConn being his alma mater and all. The only question is if my CAC, Coach Shea, might come into play at all (I've been rumoring him to leave USC for years, it feels like). Much less drama this time, for sure.

The real intrigue will come with the coordinators, IMO. There's a lot of freedom for whoever the new coach will be. You can hire some guys with experience if you want some mentors for the younger guys, or you can hire younger guys with no experience and try to reshape the offense/defense as we break in a lot of new starters (I count at least a dozen, off the top of my head).

Quote:

How can I get in as a coach?

Quote: Originally Posted by Deuce2223

Pretty sure Boise State needs a new OC to..

Coach Ryne Dezaron and Coach Barry Odom on the same team. I can only imagine the carnage! All we'd need at that point are Coach Geezy, Coach Clark, Coach Rob Roy and Coach BDawg and then it will really be a party.

In all seriousness, normally the CAC sign-ups are completed by this time, and in no way would I turn you guys down. There's a reason why I have not done sign-ups yet this season, and it may or may not become obvious in about a week (I'm considering making a big change, and I would prefer to wait on taking submissions until I make up my mind on this). Stay patient, friends.

[thesportsguru11]