Spring Break
Hernandez Ops Out Of Verbal Commitment
Zac Boyer
Issue date: 4/24/06 Section: Sports
The 2007 football recruiting class took a huge blow over the weekend when Aaron Hernandez, brother of current quarterback D.J. Hernandez and perhaps the best high school tight end in the nation, backed out of his verbal commitment to the Huskies and instead orally committed to Florida, according to several local media reports.
Hernandez reportedly went to Gainesville, Fla. this week to check out the Gators' spring game and committed to the coaching staff on the spot. By the end of March, Hernandez was positive he was still going to UConn, attending spring practices and reaffirming his choice to head coach Randy Edsall.
The Hartford Courant reported in Sunday's editions that Hernandez went to visit Florida just to see what it was like, while his mother, Terri, did not expect him to commit. She told the Courant that she had to call D.J., who was coming back from the spring game at Rhode Island, as soon as she received a call from Aaron.
Hernandez has stated that the decision is final and that he will not be looking into visiting any other schools.
D.J. was reportedly looking forward to playing with his brother at UConn, who told him that he was going to Florida simply for a vacation.
Hernandez originally committed to the Huskies last summer and was even present last weekend at the Huskies' Blue-White game. According to Rivals.com, Hernandez had 67 catches for 1,807 yards and 24 touchdowns this past season while playing at Bristol Central. He was an all-state player on both offense and defense and was named the Hartford Courant Player of the Year.
Florida also has a commitment from another tight end, D'Angelo McCray, who, like Hernandez, is also listed in the Rivals.com Top 100 for the class of 2007. Only three tight ends made the rankings, with the third, Mike Ragone, still undecided.
Hernandez passed up a chance to start all four years for the Huskies in order to pursue opportunities in Gainesville.
Head coach Randy Edsall could not comment on the situation because Hernandez had not yet signed a letter of intent, while D.J. Hernandez could not be reached.
The Huskies do have two tight ends committed in the 2006 class - Martin Bedard, who participated in spring practice, and Derek Rich.
Hernandez reportedly went to Gainesville, Fla. this week to check out the Gators' spring game and committed to the coaching staff on the spot. By the end of March, Hernandez was positive he was still going to UConn, attending spring practices and reaffirming his choice to head coach Randy Edsall.
The Hartford Courant reported in Sunday's editions that Hernandez went to visit Florida just to see what it was like, while his mother, Terri, did not expect him to commit. She told the Courant that she had to call D.J., who was coming back from the spring game at Rhode Island, as soon as she received a call from Aaron.
Hernandez has stated that the decision is final and that he will not be looking into visiting any other schools.
D.J. was reportedly looking forward to playing with his brother at UConn, who told him that he was going to Florida simply for a vacation.
Hernandez originally committed to the Huskies last summer and was even present last weekend at the Huskies' Blue-White game. According to Rivals.com, Hernandez had 67 catches for 1,807 yards and 24 touchdowns this past season while playing at Bristol Central. He was an all-state player on both offense and defense and was named the Hartford Courant Player of the Year.
Florida also has a commitment from another tight end, D'Angelo McCray, who, like Hernandez, is also listed in the Rivals.com Top 100 for the class of 2007. Only three tight ends made the rankings, with the third, Mike Ragone, still undecided.
Hernandez passed up a chance to start all four years for the Huskies in order to pursue opportunities in Gainesville.
Head coach Randy Edsall could not comment on the situation because Hernandez had not yet signed a letter of intent, while D.J. Hernandez could not be reached.
The Huskies do have two tight ends committed in the 2006 class - Martin Bedard, who participated in spring practice, and Derek Rich.
Be the first to comment on this story