Spring Break
UConn struggles to secure in-state football recruits
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
Mack, rated a four-star recruit and the No. 18 running back in nation, turned down an offer from UConn to sign with Virginia.
LaPorte, who graduated from Stratford High in 2005 and played junior college ball at Santa Barbara Community College, wasn't even targeted by the Huskies. He signed with Utah after also being offered by Ole Miss and Nevada.
After all, what use would UConn have for a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end who runs a 4.58 40-yard dash and was listed as Scout.com's No. 1 overall JUCO recruit? Think he could have helped solve some of the Huskies' passing problems? Apparently the UConn staff thought differently.
And then Harrison. Just soak in these numbers for a second: 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, 39-inch vertical leap, 4.38 40-yard dash. Harrison's coach at Bunnell High, Joe Bruno, says that he has the frame to add about 35 more pounds of muscle, which would make him an Antonio Gates-like specimen at the next level. UConn didn't sign Harrison - and that's not even the worst part.
He signed with Rutgers. That's right, the Huskies couldn't get Connecticut's version of Terrell Owens to make the 90-minute trip north for college. Not even considering Harrison attended the same high school as current UConn receiver Marcus Easley. Not even considering he played on the same high school team as Easley's brother, Michael. Instead, he was snatched up by the arch-rival Scarlet Knights.
For every Lutrus that UConn inks, there are three others that it lets go. Reed, LaPorte, Mack and Harrison are the most notable, but the list goes on. Bloomfield's Marcus Cooper, a 6-foot-2 receiver with 4.4 speed, committed to Rutgers just weeks before Harrison did. Cheshire Academy's Joshua Adams, a 6-foot-4 wideout who was ranked higher than Harrison by Rivals.com, verballed to North Carolina last summer.
The Huskies struggle to throw the ball down the field, and part of that is on Lorenzen and the pass protection, but a lot has to do with who he is throwing to. If that wasn't true, Darius Butler wouldn't be suiting up on both sides of the ball.
LaPorte, who graduated from Stratford High in 2005 and played junior college ball at Santa Barbara Community College, wasn't even targeted by the Huskies. He signed with Utah after also being offered by Ole Miss and Nevada.
After all, what use would UConn have for a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end who runs a 4.58 40-yard dash and was listed as Scout.com's No. 1 overall JUCO recruit? Think he could have helped solve some of the Huskies' passing problems? Apparently the UConn staff thought differently.
And then Harrison. Just soak in these numbers for a second: 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, 39-inch vertical leap, 4.38 40-yard dash. Harrison's coach at Bunnell High, Joe Bruno, says that he has the frame to add about 35 more pounds of muscle, which would make him an Antonio Gates-like specimen at the next level. UConn didn't sign Harrison - and that's not even the worst part.
He signed with Rutgers. That's right, the Huskies couldn't get Connecticut's version of Terrell Owens to make the 90-minute trip north for college. Not even considering Harrison attended the same high school as current UConn receiver Marcus Easley. Not even considering he played on the same high school team as Easley's brother, Michael. Instead, he was snatched up by the arch-rival Scarlet Knights.
For every Lutrus that UConn inks, there are three others that it lets go. Reed, LaPorte, Mack and Harrison are the most notable, but the list goes on. Bloomfield's Marcus Cooper, a 6-foot-2 receiver with 4.4 speed, committed to Rutgers just weeks before Harrison did. Cheshire Academy's Joshua Adams, a 6-foot-4 wideout who was ranked higher than Harrison by Rivals.com, verballed to North Carolina last summer.
The Huskies struggle to throw the ball down the field, and part of that is on Lorenzen and the pass protection, but a lot has to do with who he is throwing to. If that wasn't true, Darius Butler wouldn't be suiting up on both sides of the ball.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
patrick
posted 9/04/08 @ 11:04 AM EST
good stuff
coop
posted 9/04/08 @ 2:08 PM EST
I don't know Kev. Wisconsin and BC both have historical pasts compared to UConn. The campus just has house parties to offer and 20 minute walks to class. (Continued…)
asfd
posted 9/05/08 @ 8:10 AM EST
If you are a good player..UConn isnt on your radar. UConn football is still pretty bad. The optimism that i see around the state is just silly. Maybe after they start playing some good teams. (Continued…)
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