Spring Break
The Storrs Side: NFL Draft will have big impact on UConn football
Russell Blair
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Sports
As monumental as this past weekend's NFL Draft was for the lives of Donald Brown, Darius Butler, Will Beatty and Cody Brown, its impact on UConn's football program is immeasurable.
At the end of the first day of the draft UConn's four drafted players stood second only to traditional powerhouse USC.
Connecticut received recognition not only on ESPN and in the local media but nationwide, with stories of the UConn's historic draft even showing up in The New York Times. And to think, prior to Saturday UConn had never had a player selected in the first two rounds.
Publicity like this will give the Huskies a tremendous edge in recruiting, especially when it comes to talent within New England who are offered scholarships to more traditional college football schools in the south. Saturday's draft proved to recruits that if they work hard and showcase their talent on the field, a four-year career at UConn will leave them in good shape for the NFL. Not to mention that more and more NFL scouts will be assessing UConn prospects in the future.
Connecticut is not without NFL-type prospects; it's simply been the problem of getting them to stay in-state. 2007 saw Aaron Hernandez, a five-star recruit and the No. 1 tight end in his class leave Bristol to go to Gainsville and sign with the Gators, even when his brother DJ played for the Huskies.
Connecticut's 2010 prospects include a trio of four-star recruits in linebacker Khairi Fortt, defensive tackle Bjoern Werner and running back Silas Redd.
The first two have received offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Boston College, Penn State and USC and as of yet have shown no interest in UConn, a fact that may be about to change.
UConn became a Division IA school in 2001, Rentschler Field opened in 2003, the Huskies won their first bowl game in 2004, but it wasn't until this past weekend that UConn put themselves on the map in the national picture of college football.
At the end of the first day of the draft UConn's four drafted players stood second only to traditional powerhouse USC.
Connecticut received recognition not only on ESPN and in the local media but nationwide, with stories of the UConn's historic draft even showing up in The New York Times. And to think, prior to Saturday UConn had never had a player selected in the first two rounds.
Publicity like this will give the Huskies a tremendous edge in recruiting, especially when it comes to talent within New England who are offered scholarships to more traditional college football schools in the south. Saturday's draft proved to recruits that if they work hard and showcase their talent on the field, a four-year career at UConn will leave them in good shape for the NFL. Not to mention that more and more NFL scouts will be assessing UConn prospects in the future.
Connecticut is not without NFL-type prospects; it's simply been the problem of getting them to stay in-state. 2007 saw Aaron Hernandez, a five-star recruit and the No. 1 tight end in his class leave Bristol to go to Gainsville and sign with the Gators, even when his brother DJ played for the Huskies.
Connecticut's 2010 prospects include a trio of four-star recruits in linebacker Khairi Fortt, defensive tackle Bjoern Werner and running back Silas Redd.
The first two have received offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Boston College, Penn State and USC and as of yet have shown no interest in UConn, a fact that may be about to change.
UConn became a Division IA school in 2001, Rentschler Field opened in 2003, the Huskies won their first bowl game in 2004, but it wasn't until this past weekend that UConn put themselves on the map in the national picture of college football.
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