In the days since UConn hired Frank Verducci as their offensive coordinator, both the spring roster and the 2015 schedule have been released.
Verducci has his hands full with inheriting one of FBS’ worst ranked offenses last season, but a bright spot is the amount of returning players on the offense. Some experience is there, but reform is needed if UConn wants to avoid the bottom of the conference in consecutive years.
The offense will have position battles and young talent trying to prove themselves worthy of a starting spot. Let’s take a look at the projected starting offense and the spring practice battles to take note of.
Quarterback:
Tim Boyle (JR)
Bryant Shirreffs (RS SO)
Tyler Davis (FR)
Last season’s quarterback competition was foiled a week into the season when Casey Cochran only competed in one game before calling it quits in his football career (A decision I praised last year). This spring should be different. Boyle got some playing time last year and looks to be the early front runner solely based on experience in the system. Bob Diaco even gave him some praise after his first start.
Shirreffs had to sit out last year due to NCAA transfer rules, but the former NC State product has a good chance of seeing the field this year depending on how Boyle does in the early non-conference slate of games. The contest for the starting job will be one to monitor closely as spring practices get underway.
Running back:
Max DeLorenzo (SR)
Ron Johnson (SO)
Josh Marriner (SO)
Arkeel Newsome (SO)
Jason Thompson (FR)
The 2015 UConn recruiting class didn’t include a single running back, and for good reason too. The Huskies are simply stocked in the backfield. DeLorenzo has seniority over the other backs, but it was Ron Johnson who impressed fans most of the last year’s trio of freshman.
All three pleaded their case for starting time, and Newsome is still the one with the most upside in the open field. His returning skills are a plus but ball security is still a concern for the young back. Expect Johnson to take on a bigger role this year and separate himself from the pack with the help of a more solidified offensive line and a run-friendly OC in Verducci.
Wide Receiver:
Noel Thomas (JR)
Thomas Lucas (RS SO)
Dhameer Bradley (JR)
Frank Battle (FR)
It’s a new era of wideouts at UConn. Without Geremy Davis or Deshon Foxx on the roster anymore, a receiver will have to step up and make a transition to the next level. Thomas surprisingly led the team in touchdown receptions last year and should be a candidate for a breakout player this year.
Battle is a true freshman, and while he’s not on the spring roster because he’s not yet enrolled, he is my pick to standout from the group of the four incoming freshman wideouts. Aaron Mclean is another receiver that may get to see snaps this season, but the Huskies need at least one low-profile player here to make a big impact to help ease the loss of their top two receivers from last season.
Tight End:
Sean McQuillan (RS SR)
Alec Bloom (SO)
Tommy Myers (RS SO)
It was a rarity to see a UConn tight end make a difference in game last year, and it may continue that way next season unless Diaco and co. decide to go all in with the 6-foot-6 sophomore. As a freshman, Bloom made 11 appearances and showed promise of being an added offensive weapon. Expect McQuillan to get the opening day nod due to his experience with Tim Boyle over the past two years.
The depth continues with three freshman tight ends that are all 6-foot-5 or taller. I wrote more about them in the 2015 recruiting class grades piece, but they should be looked at as more of blocking additions to aid the offensive line.
Offensive Tackle:
Richard Levy (LT) (RS JR)
Andreas Knappe (RT) (RS JR)
Dalton Gifford (RS SR)
Steve Hashimi (SO)
Matt Peart (FR)
Bryan Cespedes (FR)
Levy and Knappe finally have some game experience and will be relied on to handle defensive pressure from the edge. Hashimi spent time with the tight ends last year but will be back at the position he was recruited for this season. Barring any injuries (I know that’s tough to ask for with the front five), Levy and Knappe should settle in as the everyday starters and get off to a better start than last year’s tragedy of an offensive line early in the season.
Gifford will return from injury and would be the next man up if any injuries do occur. The senior will fight for his starting spot back but it’s important to note that Knappe and Levy do have chemistry with the current line and messing with that might not be what the current offense wants.
Offensive Guard:
Ryan Crozier (LG) (SO)
Tyler Samra (RG) (SR)
Trey Rutherford (SO)
Zach Rugg (RS JR)
Crozier and and Rutherford were part of the offensive line growing pains in their second year at UConn. Crozier held on to the starting guard spot as the season came to a close, and Samra was the consistent starter at right guard. Samra will likely be the leader of the front five and now has underclassmen that were in similar situations as he was in years past as players with minimal playing time now starting.
The early struggles of the offensive line was often credited to the youth and inexperience of the guys in the trenches. Another year together is only going to benefit the line as a whole and it will be interesting to see what Verducci has in store for adjustments for the run blocking schemes. Expect a heavier dose of a running attack this year and the guards inside the line will have to take on a bigger role.
Center:
Kyle Bockeloh (RS JR)
Dan Oak (RS FR)
Brendan Vechery (RS SO)
You want a position battle? You got it. Alex Mateas is gone from the middle, and now it will be up to these three guys to prove they are worthy to be the centerpiece of the front five. Bockeloh served as the backup last season and has the slightest advantage going into the spring. Oak and Vechery will be fighting for not only a starting spot, but a positive future on the roster going forward.
Mike Cummings will serve as the offensive line coach, stepping down from OC duties he had last year. A refocused attack in the offensive line, and the offense as a whole, is needed.
Defense was the stronger side of the ball for UConn and we’ll look at that in the near future. Sure, it’s still early but before you know it we’ll be deciphering the official depth charts from the AAC media day in the summer.
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