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

[thesportsguru11]

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

Good job Mac, hauled in the 3rd WORST recruiting class.....Only can go up from there.

Haha, very true. Hopefully you aren't there long enough for that to matter much.

I'm liking that Paxston signing, but am left wondering why he didn't stay home in Bowling Green. I mean, any program with a Coach Freday is a strong program. I guess he just couldn't run from the defending champs.

Don't worry, he'll come crawling back to BG when he realizes playing time ain't comin' cheap here. We've got about 10 linebackers who could be studs in 2-3 years.

Dude I love your idea of the Harrell Defensive Award, very cool tradition.

Thanks Tyler. I am certain I got the inspiration from somewhere, but I can't remember. Anywho, this adds more depth to this dynasty/report, so it will be good.

Wow really looks like I could do some damage with that offense at Memphis but it might just rely on the Line and if they will block

As long as you can keep Harvey upright, you'll be fine. He played against us briefly last season, and he did OK, granted no one really did well against our D. He's got a lot of size (6'7 I think) and can do everything. Plus he's only a sophomore, lots of time to develop for you.

[Mike7Vinas]

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

2018 Signing Day: Huskies add 3 to finish with 12th best class; tops in Diaco era

Winning titles does give you more power. Bob Diaco was able to land all 3 of his remaining targets on National Signing Day, which in turn netted him the 12th best class in the land, the best in the Diaco era to this point.

There is no headliner in this class as in previous years (Josh Parrish, Sam Rourke), but there are several talented recruits who make the class deep for UConn this year. A quintet of 4* recruits will lead the way, led by big physical tight end Ja'Montres Jones, bruising tailback Luke Williamson, linebackers Scott Coffman and Mike Hill, as well as wideout Carlton Parker.

QB Tanner Dean-Lowry was the top signing day get for Diaco. TDL, who we discussed toward the end of the year, is a dual-threat QB with lots of upside, but a slight 6'0, 204 pound frame. Regardless, with some seasoning, TDL could be a star.

Linebacker Alex Brown and DE James Charles were the other two signing day snags. Brown was stolen from right from under the nose of Bowling Green, and the big 6'2, 239 pound 'backer joins UConn's ridiculously deep group of young linebackers. Brown will have to play hard to get time later, but he knows that and is ready to go. Charles will compete for time now as UConn restocks their depth chart on the line.

I believe I've already told you about everyone else in previous recruiting updates, so I'll go straight to the tables. Welcome, Huskies!

UConn Huskies Recruiting - 2018
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Ja'Montres Jones	WR/TE	HS	West New York, NJ	6'5	244
Luke Williamson	RB	HS	Nautilus Park, NJ	5'11	223
Mike Hill	LB	HS	Edmonton, CN	6'2	244
Scott Coffman	LB	HS	Piedmont, AL	6'2	180
Carlton Parker	WR	HS	Hope Mills, NC	6'2	195
Kent Newton	CB	HS	New Bodin, WI	6'1	181
Chris Murphy	CB	HS	Piedmont, AL	5'11	181
Tanner Dean-Lowry	QB	HS	Bridgeport, CT	6'0	204
Alex Brown	LB	HS	Emmaus, PA	6'2	239
James Charles	DE	HS	Clinton, MI	6'5	262
Altarri Gardner	DE	HS	Derby, CT	6'4	255
Kyler Parks	ATH	HS	Yazoo City, MS	5'11	185
A.J. Paxston	LB	HS	Bowling Green, OH	5'11	244
Brett Lowery	DE	HS	Ville Platte, LA	6'2	237
Sam Barnett	CB	HS	Portland, ME	5'11	166
Synphez Jeffries-Mayo	DT	JUCO Jr	Fairland, MD	6'0	266
Kyle Lee	LB	HS	Norwalk, CT	6'0	233
Danny Mack	LB	HS	Fort Lee, NJ	6'1	235
Brian Link	G	HS	Naugatuck, CT	6'1	300

Around the Nation

Despite losing the College Football Playoff Championship for the second time in three years, the Florida Gators hauled in this year's best class, landing 5 5* prospects and 8 4* prospects. Their top prospect was Andrew Morcely, an athlete from Melbourne, FL. He will likely play receiver with the Gators. The nation's #1 prospect, WR Ty Haley, signed with Notre Dame.

Top 25 Classes/CAC class rankings

(RANK, TEAM, 5*/4*/3*/Total)

1. Florida 5/8/9/24
2. Oregon 2/9/11/22
3. Penn St. 2/10/5/23
4. Notre Dame 2/9/10/21
5. LSU 0/9/10/19
6. Ole Miss 3/5/8/19
7. Alabama 3/5/7/18
8. Florida St. 0/7/11/23
9. Georgia 4/3/8/17
10. Michigan 1/7/6/16
12. UConn
16. Syracuse (Coach Gilbert, Mike7Vinas)
18. Oklahoma
37. Rutgers (Coach Coley, Knickerbocker91)
40. TCU
43. USC (Coach Shea, thesportsguru11)
45. Texas
46. New Mexico St. (Coach Grant, LadiesAndEdelman)
48. Iowa St.
53. Baylor
57. Southern Miss (Coach Davis, UKWildcat999)
58. Kansas St.
68. West Virginia
70. Oklahoma St. (OC Kurt Warner)
72. Washington St. (Coach Willingham, kswgrad2012)
76. Purdue (Coach Smith, bryan3169)
82. Memphis (Coach King, ThaBoss18)
84. Bowling Green (Coach Freday, RoundingThird)
87. Texas Tech
89. Central Michigan (Coach Crenshaw, whughes)
91. Ohio (Coach Woodard, mattynokes)
92. UL-Lafayette (Coach Miller, glunsford)
106. Kansas
107. Houston
110. UTSA (Coach James, HARLEE23)
124. UTEP (Coach Mac, RedRaider10)

SPARQ Top 25; Where They Went

1. Ty Haley - WR - Plum, PA - 5* - 6'4 190 - Notre Dame
2. Aaron Houston - QB (DT) - Boca Del Mar, FL - 5* - 6'2 215- UCF
3. Braylon Norton - ATH - Scott, LA - 5* - 6'1 221 - Auburn
4. Andrew Morcely - ATH - Melbourne, FL - 5* - 5'10 180 - Florida
5. C.J. Quinn - ATH - Conyers, GA - 5* - 6'0 218 - Alabama
6. Te'Nelquez McDaniels - ATH - Bailey's Crossroads, VA - 5* - 6'2 187 - Georgia
7. Kenny Essen - QB (DT) - Tamiami, FL - 5* - 6'4 217 - Utah St.
8. Chris McGill - RB - Mercer Island, WA - 5* - 5'11 217 - Oregon
9. Nick Bass - ATH - Bellevue, KY - 5* - 5'11 176 - Mississippi St.
10. Jay Banks - S - Magee, KS - 5* - 6'2 173 - Georgia
11. Mark Williams - ATH - Adamsville, AL - 5* - 6'4 232 - North Carolina
12. CeeJay Gipson - WR - Fort Bragg, NC - 5* - 6'0 191 - Mississippi St.
13. Jayson Landrum - RB - Oneonta, AL - 5* - 5'10 200 - Auburn
14. Cetran Copeland - RB - Melbourne, FL - 5* - 6'1 215 - Florida
15. Mike Messina - LB - Bedford, OH - 5* - 6'0 214 - Minnesota
16. Destin McClane - ATH - Madison, IN - 5* - 6'4 205 - Notre Dame
17. Sam Crooks - ATH - Gulf Hills, MS - 5* - 6'0 208 - Florida
18. Tim Morris - OT - Cleveland, OH - 5* - 6'7 332 - Ohio St.
19. Josh McPherson - ATH - Peachtree City, GA - 5* - 6'1 182 - Georgia
20. Kennis Young - WR - Grand Ledge, MI - 5* - 6'2 203 - Penn St.
21. Bryen Grier - DE - London, KY - 5* - 6'2 230 - Louisville
22. Ray Stewart - ATH - Ferguson, MO - 5* - 6'1 215 - Missouri
23. Victor Wheatley - WR - Lake Wales, FL - 5* - 6'3 208 - Ole Miss
24. Mike Huntington - WR - Greenberg, PA - 5* - 6'1 185 - Missouri
25. Tyrodd Robinson - WR - Rock Island, IL - 5* - 6'1 190 - Iowa

I think we all are surprised quite frankly. Such a quick rise was definitely not expected. I'd hope you'd be excited, jumping to the top team in the Sun Belt with the top player should bode well for you.



With a lot of pieces back from last year, including your QB, RB, top WR and top two TE's, you guys will be a lot better with the continuity. Now it's just a matter of getting Thomas in rhythm all year. You can easily make 6 wins.

Sorry for quoting all of this, I'm on my phone so.. But 16th class in the nation! Things are looking up for the Orange! #Gilbert

[thesportsguru11]

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

Sorry for quoting all of this, I'm on my phone so.. But 16th class in the nation! Things are looking up for the Orange! #Gilbert

Was indeed a very good first class for you guys. Having Skip Holtz as your head coach doesn't hurt either.

Regardless, you are primed for a great year my friend.

[thesportsguru11]

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

James Atkins first winner of Harrell Defensive Sportsman Award

James Atkins has made UConn history before even starting a game in his career.

The grad student defensive end was named as the recipient of the first ever Harrell Defensive Sportsman Award by Coach Diaco and the staff for displaying leadership and perseverance through his career. As a result, Atkins will switch from number 96 to number 95 as part of the award.

Atkins has played limited amounts of time in his first 4 years at UConn, but with 3 of UConn's top 4 ends gone from last year, Atkins will get to start next to Sam Rourke in 2018.

Diaco established the award in January after one of his favorite players of his tenure, now graduated former JUCO transfer Quintin Harrell. He wore #95 at linebacker and defensive end in his time at Storrs.

This is a great honor. Quintin and I were great friends, and his presence in the locker room was there every single week, and he'll continue to be there, just in the form of me. I'm honored to be wearing his #95 this fall as I hopefully can do what he did for us.

James was a rather obvious choice. He's been extremely patient with us over the past 4 years, and he's bought into the vision of our program every single day. That's the biggest thing I ask out of kids, is to believe in what we can do as a unit here, and most of them can see my vision. I expect James to enhance to role here, the only difference is he's starting, not sitting.

Congrats, James, and we wish you the best of luck with #95!

[UKWildcat999]

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

Excited to see the season get underway! Looks like I've got a lot to work with on offense.

[Cheese2121]

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

After a whole week of reading off an on with a cold one, I am finally all caught up! I was planning on skimming the majority but it was so dang good, I had to go ahead and read it all.

I absolutely love what you have put together here Guru. The detail and presentation is top notch. I really admire the interaction with the followers through the CAC. A brilliant idea and one I may ask you someday if I can borrow (with all credit to you of course).

Just fantastic work. Can't say enough praises for all of it.

[thesportsguru11]

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

Excited to see the season get underway! Looks like I've got a lot to work with on offense.

As am I. Lots of new CAC's to go along with a really new UConn team as a whole. You have lots to work with, just make use of it now while you have your stars in Roach, Ito and Mikell.

After a whole week of reading off an on with a cold one, I am finally all caught up! I was planning on skimming the majority but it was so dang good, I had to go ahead and read it all.

I absolutely love what you have put together here Guru. The detail and presentation is top notch. I really admire the interaction with the followers through the CAC. A brilliant idea and one I may ask you someday if I can borrow (with all credit to you of course).

Just fantastic work. Can't say enough praises for all of it.

I LOL'd so hard at the cold one. Legally, I can't drink yet, so I love that someone actually took that to heart!

While I am setting up the table of contents, I do love to see folks read everything, because this is the only 'chise that moonlights as a party. It gets absolutely nuts in here sometimes and I absolutely love that.

And cheese, thanks a bunch for the really kind comments. It always means a lot to see veterans and legends such as yourself admire the work that I do, as I was only little more than a rookie/average before this project. I never expected to have this kind of interaction, but it's doing wonders for me. I personally thought I'd only be replacing a few of these guys with folks like Kaelyn Willingham, Sam Freday, etc. when I started. Never would I have imagined I have 15 folks interested enough to buy into this and join me, and more following without a CAC.

Hopefully we can continue to see more folks joining me in the CAC world, as I do have plenty of room.

Although, the success I've had with this is weird because I pick on UConn's football team all the time as a half-BC fan IRL.

[thesportsguru11]

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

Safeties Lewis, Singleton dismissed after alleged barfight over Spring Break

April 1, 2018
Hartford, CT
Hartford Courant

More surprising news out of UConn's football team this morning as sophomore safety Brent Singleton and senior safety Geoff Lewis have both been arrested and subsequently dismissed after their alleged involvement in a barfight in Miami over spring break.

The two reserve safeties were found at the center of a barfight at a club in Miami that left three people hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries. Shattered glass and blood littered the floor as the cops spent an hour at the scene.

Toxicology reports indicated that both Singleton, 19, and Lewis, 21, were 3 times over the legal limit. Singleton had minor cuts and bruises, while Lewis had a gash above his eye. Neither were sent for further evaluation, and were arrested and sent to Miami county jail, held on $10,000 bail. They are expected to appear in court on April 15. If found guilty, they could be sentenced to time in prison.

Upon receiving the news, Coach Bob Diaco acted swiftly, dismissing the duo promptly. Keep in mind, sophomore QB David Hamilton, who also was drunk in his incident last month, has not received any discipline yet.

I don't have the time or interest to deal with this, plain and simple.

UConn had no disciplinary issues in the first four years of Diaco's tenure. This marks the second such incident in 2 months.

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

A look at the secondary depth chart with the dismissals

While Singleton and Lewis were expected to be reserves and nothing more, the depth in the back end of the D does look a little different now.

Corner: Nothing looks any different here, except Sam Barnett is not on the depth chart. He will likely be redshirted. Note former walk-on J.D. Rudie is close to cracking the two deep.

#49 Travis Lumpkin - 6'3 175 - RS SR
#29 Anthony Watkins - 6'1 196 - RS SR
#38 Jake Crowder - 6'0 186 - RS SO
N/A Kyler Parks - 5'11 185 - FR
N/A Kent Newton - 6'1 181 - FR OR
#1 J.D. Rudie - 5'9 170 - RS FR

Free Safety: Freshman All-American Ross Sinclair and Mike Stokes still sit at the top here, but senior JUCO transfer Jabari Wright is the new #3.

#42 Ross Sinclair - 6'5 223 - SO
#27 Mike Stokes - 6'2 178 - RS JR
#20 Jabari Wright - 6'1 200 - SR

Strong Safety: Here is where we see the most change. Robinson is still the #1. Senior JUCO transfer Rick Stewart is the new #2, and he'll be counted on (along with Rudie) to step up in that nickelback spot in dollar and quarter formations.

#37 Derek Robinson - 6'0 180 - RS JR
#25 Rick Stewart - 6'4 218 - SR
#1 J.D. Rudie - 5'9 170 - RS FR

[thesportsguru11]

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

Denver lands new Sports Authority Bowl, beats out East Hartford

NCAA president Mark Emmert has announced that Denver has landed the newest college bowl game, which will be named the Sports Authority Bowl at Mile High. The stadium of the same namesake will be the host stadium.

The first game will take place December 23, 2018 and most likely host the seventh eligible team from the Pac-12 and the Mountain West's seventh eligible team. BYU would be the next team up if neither conference can get seven teams to qualify. The Big 12 would be the immediate fallback option.

Denver was one of 6 finalists for the new bowl game, along with East Hartford, Indianapolis, Boca Raton, Pittsburgh and Toronto. East Hartford, with backing from CIGNA and Pratt and Whitney, was expected to be the favorite, but got turned down for unknown reasons.

Emmert didn't speak to reporters.

Of course I'm excited. College football could always be a bit better represented in Denver, and we're excited Sports Authority was interested in this endeavor with us.

Of course we're upset, we thought we had a shot. The funding was there, the support was there, I'm not sure what happened.

There are now 35 bowls in the rotation this year. It's unknown if the NCAA will look for further expansion in the bowl schedule next year or beyond.

[thesportsguru11]

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

Offseason Wrap-Up - Season 5 starts tomorrow!

Lucas drafted in 6th round by Philly

No, it was not Josh Marriner, Cam Stapleton, Junior Joseph, Bryant Shirreffs, Jamar Summers, or any of the other talented seniors drafted out of the University of Connecticut in the 2018 NFL Draft.

It was under-utilized wideout Thomas Lucas, who was the only Husky picked at the NFL's annual player selection meeting, by the Philadelphia Eagles, pick 199.

Why? Lucas has the height and ability to make it.

It's easy to see why Josh Marriner didn't get picked, in fact, there's a laundry list of reasons why he didn't: Only 5'9, got more than 800 carries in 4 years at UConn (over 400 alone in 2017), and not big enough to be an every down back, no matter how average a line he played with or how determined he was.

However, Marriner did sign with Seattle after the draft.

It's also easy to see why guys like Shirreffs, Trey Rutherford and Javon Hadley didn't get picked: Simply not enough talent. Shirreffs' up and down play was the big concern, for Rutherford it was his average footwork, and for Hadley, the production just wasn't there.

All three signed practice squad deals with Indy, Baltimore and Arizona, respectively.

As for Cam Stapleton, Junior Joseph and Jamar Summers? Good question. I don't know what the issues were. Joseph isn't the most athletic guy, but has the work ethic to make it in the NFL, as does Stapleton. However, his measurables weren't all that great at the combine. Summers is unknown, perhaps his lack of top-end speed. All three are off to play in New York (Jets, Joseph), New England (Summers) and San Francisco (Stapleton).

But regardless, congrats to Lucas, truly the most complete pro prospect from the island of misfits.

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

Hamilton escapes with only a first-half suspension vs. Boise in opener

D-Ham better be counting his blessings.

Anywho, projected starting sophomore QB David Hamilton escaped his tardiness/drunkenness penalty with only a first-half suspension, which he will serve in the opener when the reigning national champs travel to face Boise State on the Blue Turf.

Why only a half-game suspension, while teammates Geoff Lewis and Brent Singleton were dismissed for slightly larger crimes? I have no idea. But Diaco made it weird when he indicated in the dismissal story about how "He didn't want to deal with it." Hmmmmmmmmm..........

But at least we can kiss this story dead. Hopefully.

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

Army officially changes name to Army West Point

In a move prepared for the past few years, coinciding with joining rival Navy in the American Athletic Conference, Army has officially changed their name to Army West Point. This was done in an effort to give the program a Nike-refuled rebranding, coupled with the impending AAC move.

After rumors the school would also change the nickname back to the "Cadets", that was shot down and rejected for the time being.

It's very clear Army is looking to try to win. They've had some good years in the past 4 since hiring Jeff Monken, including beating UConn twice, but they are very serious about going big. Now.

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

Jeff McNeal to become a three way player in 2018, including returns

In a move announced by special teams coordinator Bob Trebell and coach Bob Diaco, the best return man in college football history, Arkeel Newsome, is moving to running back full-time. Newsome will split carries with fellow grad student Ron Johnson this fall, creating a nice little 1-2 punch of power and speed. However, Diaco notes that Johnson will be set up in most of the I and Offset-I Form packages UConn is so good at utilizing.

Therefore, Newsome will see the carries out of the shotgun sets and when extra blockers are on the field. Brice McAllister will see time as well.

Meanwhile, electric redshirt sophomore Jeff McNeal, super utility athlete, will take Newsome's role. Trebell is excited about the move.

I would've loved to have had Arkeel back, but it needed to be done for the team. Jeff will be just as good, and the transition should be seamless because of his speed.

In addition, McNeal will also play 4th and 5th corner and receiver (where he played sparingly in high school), virtually eliminating his carries at tailback this year. However, it's expected he become the top tailback next fall when UConn graduates it's top three backs.

This is unique in the sense that McNeal is the first 3 (or for that matter 2) way player Diaco will have at UConn.

[RaiderAid89]

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

Definitely enjoy following your huskies, and will hopefully be able to get in on the next round of CAC's. Love those updates dude, keep it up

[whughes]

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

All that talent on the defensive side of the ball, and the only one picked in the draft was on the offensive side. There's a head scratcher

[Cheese2121]

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

I have to agree, really thought we would see more players drafted. Looking forward to the new season!

[thesportsguru11]

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

Definitely enjoy following your huskies, and will hopefully be able to get in on the next round of CAC's. Love those updates dude, keep it up

Thanks RaiderAid, just keep reading and wait for the CAC Sign-Up announcement later on in the season. There's room for everyone.

All that talent on the defensive side of the ball, and the only one picked in the draft was on the offensive side. There's a head scratcher

I have to agree, really thought we would see more players drafted. Looking forward to the new season!

Yeah, I know. I think my jaw hit the floor when Lucas was the only one drafted.

But, we are the island of misfits. Now it's NFL misfits.

Looking forward to season 5 as well, cheese. New pieces on offense, defense, a new conference and new schedule!

[thesportsguru11]

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

UConn lands West Virginia transfer Archie

Late breaking news coming in as West Virginia tight end Royce Archie has confirmed that he is transferring to the Big 12's newest member, UConn.

The 6'6, 243 pound tight end played sparingly in his first year at West Virginia and is transferring with the new coaching staff in place at West Virginia. He will be required to sit out this year, and will have 3 years of eligibility starting in 2019.

Archie was a 3 star prospect out of Fairland, MD and has good speed and hands. Archie will vie for the starting tight end job in 2019 with current redshirt freshman Ryne Thomas and incoming freshman Ja'Montres Jones.