Spring Break
UConn struggles to secure in-state football recruits
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
There's little doubt that UConn football is headed in the right direction.
In seven years, UConn has gone from a Division I-AA program to co-Big East champions. Randy Edsall has built a program on finding under-recruited players and developing them into quality starters. Tyvon Branch, the first pick of the fourth round in the 2008 NFL Draft, was a one-star recruit, according to Scout.com. UConn's all-time leading rusher, Terry Caulley, was a two-star recruit. So was Darius Butler, Scott Lutrus, Julius Williams, Cody Brown, Lawrence Wilson, and … well, you get the point.
The first step to building a successful program is uncovering gems. Edsall and his staff have clearly taken that step. The second step is bringing in some big-time talent, something that UConn has struggled to do, particularly at the skill positions.
Despite "winning" a share of the Big East championship last season, UConn's 2008 recruiting class ranked second-to-last in the Big East, and 2009 isn't looking much better.
It's unrealistic to expect the Huskies to steal away top prospects from California, Texas, or Louisiana, but when four-star recruits from Connecticut aren't even considering the Huskies, there's a problem.
New London's Jordan Reed, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound quarterback who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, followed in the footsteps of Bristol's Aaron Hernandez and spurned the Huskies for the Florida Gators a few weeks ago.
Nothing against Tyler Lorenzen - he's a serviceable quarterback - but UConn hasn't had a signal-caller capable of putting a team on his back since Shelton's Dan Orlovsky signed with the Huskies in 2000. Reed would have been that guy.
Now, there are differences between Reed and Orlovsky. As talented as Orlovsky was, he was never recruited by a program like Florida. The national spotlight Florida plays under, coupled with its tradition and warm weather are enough to make any player flee the Nutmeg state.
Sadly, in Reed's case, there's not much UConn could have done. But then there's the Stratford trio of Torrey Mack, Dudley LaPorte and Mark Harrison.
In seven years, UConn has gone from a Division I-AA program to co-Big East champions. Randy Edsall has built a program on finding under-recruited players and developing them into quality starters. Tyvon Branch, the first pick of the fourth round in the 2008 NFL Draft, was a one-star recruit, according to Scout.com. UConn's all-time leading rusher, Terry Caulley, was a two-star recruit. So was Darius Butler, Scott Lutrus, Julius Williams, Cody Brown, Lawrence Wilson, and … well, you get the point.
The first step to building a successful program is uncovering gems. Edsall and his staff have clearly taken that step. The second step is bringing in some big-time talent, something that UConn has struggled to do, particularly at the skill positions.
Despite "winning" a share of the Big East championship last season, UConn's 2008 recruiting class ranked second-to-last in the Big East, and 2009 isn't looking much better.
It's unrealistic to expect the Huskies to steal away top prospects from California, Texas, or Louisiana, but when four-star recruits from Connecticut aren't even considering the Huskies, there's a problem.
New London's Jordan Reed, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound quarterback who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, followed in the footsteps of Bristol's Aaron Hernandez and spurned the Huskies for the Florida Gators a few weeks ago.
Nothing against Tyler Lorenzen - he's a serviceable quarterback - but UConn hasn't had a signal-caller capable of putting a team on his back since Shelton's Dan Orlovsky signed with the Huskies in 2000. Reed would have been that guy.
Now, there are differences between Reed and Orlovsky. As talented as Orlovsky was, he was never recruited by a program like Florida. The national spotlight Florida plays under, coupled with its tradition and warm weather are enough to make any player flee the Nutmeg state.
Sadly, in Reed's case, there's not much UConn could have done. But then there's the Stratford trio of Torrey Mack, Dudley LaPorte and Mark Harrison.
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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