UCONN Football Spring Recap

Here is a spring recap of the 2007 UCONN Huskies football team from ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.

Connecticut Huskies 2006 overall record:
4-8
Conference record:
1-6Returning starters
Offense: 7, Defense: 6, Kicker/punter: 1

Top returners
RB Donald Brown, WR Terence Jeffers, WR Brad Kanuch, G Donald Thomas, TE Steve Brouse, DT Dan Davis, LB Danny Lansanah, LB Ryan Henegan, CB Darius Butler, CB Tyvon Branch
Key losses
DT Ray Blagman, TE Dan Murray, RB Terry Caulley, QB Matt Bonislawski, G Immanuel Hutcherson, LB Donta Moore, FB Deon Anderson, G/T Matt Applebaum, DT Rhema Fuller, S M.J. Estep
Top newcomer: WR Jonathan Jean-Louis [Read more on him at the end of the post]

2006 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Donald Brown II* (896 yds)
Passing: D.J. Hernandez* (849 yds)
Receiving: Brandon Young (263 yds)
Tackles: Danny Lansanah* (99)
Sacks: Cody Brown* (4½)
Interceptions: Danny Lansanah* and Darius Butler* (4)

Spring answers: 1. Deep at running back: Sophomore Donald Brown is back after taking the Big East by storm as a freshman. He averaged 134.6 yards in five Big East starts and finished with 896 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior Lou Allen, who had 230 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2006, also returns. Those two players didn’t see much action during the spring. Sophomores Andre Dixon (21 carries for 100 yards in spring game) and Robert McClain III (18 carries for 109 yards) did most of the running in their absence. 2. Talented young receivers: Sophomores Terence Jeffers and Brad Kanuch played significant roles as freshmen, combining for 30 catches and three touchdowns in 16 combined starts. Senior Larry Taylor also returns after leading the team with 29 catches last season. Juniors Ellis Gaulden (foot injury during spring) and Robert Theoudele provide depth.

3. Hernandez on the move: Junior D.J. Hernandez, who led the Huskies to three of their four wins in 2006 while playing quarterback, moved to slot receiver during the spring. Hernandez seemed to be the odd man out in a crowded quarterback battle, so he asked coach Randy Edsall for the move. Hernandez adjusted quickly, catching two passes for 46 yards in the spring game. He might challenge Taylor for the starting slot receiver spot during the fall.

4. Speedy cornerbacks return: Senior Tyvon Branch and junior Darius Butler are two of the fastest and most experienced cornerbacks returning in the Big East. Butler intercepted four passes in each of his first two seasons at Connecticut. They have combined to play in 57 games. Sophomore Robert Vaughn, who was forced into action last season, returns at free safety. Freshman Aaron Bagsby and senior Donnell Ford were battling at strong safety.

5. Linebackers: Seniors Danny Lansanah and Ryan Henegan, the team’s top two tacklers in 2006, are both back. Lansanah is a three-year starter in the middle. Henegan returns on the weak side, and redshirt freshman Scott Lutrus and Greg Robinson Jr. were battling on the strong side. Lutrus had nine tackles and three interceptions (he returned two for touchdowns) in the spring game. Freshman Jarrell Miller, who is believed to be the first Parade Magazine All-American to sign with UConn, was the backup middle linebacker at the end of spring.

Fall questions: 1. Starting quarterback: JUCO All-American Tyler Lorenzen, a former walk-on receiver at Iowa State, seemed to be on his way to winning the quarterback job until a knee injury cut short his spring. Last season, Lorenzen threw for 2,960 yards with 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions at Palomar Community College near San Diego. Sophomore Dennis Brown, who redshirted last season after playing as a freshman in 2005, is still competing for the job. He completed 17 of 35 passes for 241 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in the spring game.

2. Offensive line rotation: Because of injuries, the Huskies started nine offensive linemen last season. Two players who started the 2006 finale against Louisville are gone: right guard Immanuel Hutcherson and right tackle Matt Applebaum. Sophomore Dan Ryan was bothered by a sprained ankle during the spring, so junior William Beatty and redshirt freshman Zach Hurd were battling at left tackle. Sophomore Lawrence Green, a converted defensive tackle, was leading at left guard. Junior Keith Gray, who missed most of 2006 with a shoulder injury, is back at center. Donald Thomas and Alex LaMagdelaine, who played center last season, are battling at right guard. Sophomore Mike Hicks and Hurd were competing at right tackle.

3. Where’s the beef: With starting defensive tackle Ray Blagman and Rhema Fuller departing, the Huskies moved senior Dan Davis from end to tackle before the spring. He missed spring drills while recovering from surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. Junior Rob Lunn and sophomore Brandon Dillon were competing at the other tackle spot. Sophomore Lindsey Witten, redshirt freshman Mike Cox and junior Julius Williams, a converted linebacker, were competing for the two end spots. Junior end Cody Brown was held out of spring practice for academic reasons.

4. Off-field problems: The Huskies have endured a plethora of off-field issues. Receiver Brandon McLean was suspended in April after he was arrested twice in a week. Also, three returning starters (guard Immanuel Hutcherson, safety Dahna Deleston and outside linebacker Donta Moore) left the team. Edsall indicated the departures were caused by academic problems. Hutcherson started 22 games the last two seasons combined. Moore was fourth on the team in tackles in 2006, and Deleston was fifth.

5. Special teams: The Huskies’ top two kickers were a combined 5-for-14 on field goal tries last season. Tony Ciaravino, who was 2-for-2 with a long of 29 yards, did most of the place-kicking in spring practice. Desi Cullen, who figures to take over the punting and handle kickoffs, also tried field goals. Incoming freshman Dave Teggart might get a chance to win the job this fall.

Jonathan Jean-Louis WR | 5’11” 180Hometown: Arlington, MA School: Arlington Catholic High School Region: Atlantic

Status: Signed School: Connecticut