Scott Moves to WR (& Other Football Things)
The Story: We take time out today from the macro of conference realignment to focus on the micro of actual football: The Huskies have decided to move sophomore Zavier Scott to wide receiver after losing several players at the position since the end of last season.
GREAT SCOTT: Recruited to UConn as a wide receiver, Scott made the move to running back prior to last season because he had history playing the position and Randy Edsall believed the Huskies were thin in the backfield. Now, with attrition costing the Huskies virtually every player who caught a pass in 2018 — wide receivers Heron Maurisseau, Cameron Hairston and Garrison Burnett, who had a combined seven receptions, are the only ones returing — the coaches think Scott, who had 33 catches for 228 yards and one touchdown last season, can help.
“We are going to utilize him wherever we feel it is going to be beneficial for us and him,” Edsall said Tuesday at the AAC media day. “He loves it, he was smiling from ear to ear, I think that was something that was in the back of his mind.”
Scott’s absence won’t necessarily be felt in the backfield, as Edsall left it open for Scott to take reps at running back as well. But, with Kevin Mensah capable of handling the load, Art Thompkins transferring in from Toledo and Donevin O’Reilly healthy after missing last season with a torn ACL, the Huskies should be fine at the position.
PROUD OF THE BLUE AND WHITE: Even though several of their classmates have departed the program over the years, tight end Donovan Williams and right tackle Matt Peart have weathered the storm and remained at UConn.
“I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the University of Connecticut, so I take a lot of pride in that,” Williams told reporters at the event. “Me and Matt have been through a lot and it would mean the world to go through a successful year. Some days I wake up and have to recognize the journey I have been on. Time flies, so we can’t take anything for granted and [we need to] make the most of every moment.”
QUARTERBACK QUANDARY: Although redshirt freshman Steven Krajewski and junior transfer Mike Beaudry appear to be the top two contenders to start at quarterback, Edsall (shockingly!) wasn’t willing to divulge any plans on Tuesday and said N.C. State transfer Micah Leon, a sophomore, and true freshmen Jack Zergiotis and Miles Foerster also have a shot.
“I like the fact that we’re going to have open competition with Mike, Micah, Steven, Jack, Miles,” he said. “All those guys are going to get opportunities to show what they can do. … Each of them bring a little different dimension to what we would be able to do schematically.”
THOMAS EYES RETURN: Senior linebacker Eli “Don’t Call Me Caleb” Thomas, who was voted one of the Huskies’ captains this season, is hoping to make his return at some point after a stroke cost him most of last season. Thomas transferred to UConn after two seasons at Lackawanna Junior College, missed 2017 with a torn ACL and played in only five games in 2018. He wants to make an impact beyond just his leadership.
“I am progressing great, my comprehension is getting a lot better, my speech is getting a lot better as well,” Thomas said. “I am not hesitating as much. I am not stuttering as much. I am definitely getting a lot better. Physically, I am better than I ever have been, taking it day by day, waiting for a decision.”
Kemba: ‘I Want To Win’ (Again)
The Story: UConn legend Kemba Walker, who was introduced by the Boston Celtics at a press conference yesterday afternoon, said he’s “super excited to be back [in New England], not only to get a chance to play in front of Boston fans but UConn fans as well.”
TIME TO WIN: Walker signed a four-year, $141 million maximum contract with the Celtics after eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, who advanced to the playoffs just twice during his tenure. Walker, a three-time All-Star and starter in February, will immediately be expected to bring a degree of leadership to the Celtics, who have two budding stars in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and endured a rocky season that was heavily blamed on the departed Kyrie Irving.
THE GREAT EIGHT: With No. 15 retired in Boston because of Tom Heinsohn, Walker settled on No. 8, joking that he chose it because it was one of the few options available but also because his birthday is May 8. That’s good news for Celtics fans from the early 2000s, as those who still fit in their Antoine Walker shirseys will be able to dust them out and pull them out of their closet once again.
WHAT DID KEMBA SAY? “Throughout my career, we just haven’t been consistently winning — and I’m not saying that’s going to happen here, because you just don’t know. I can’t see the future or anything like that. But I want to win. I want to be on a team that goes out and competes every night on a high level. Watching Boston over the years, I mean, that’s just what they’ve done. They’ve competed at a very high level each and every year, in the playoffs every year, and I want to be a part of something like that, and that was kind of some of the things that went into my decision.”
Kemba Walker on with @NBCSBoston says he fully intends to spend all season reminding Brad Stevens UConn beat Butler in the national championship game. #Celtics
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) July 17, 2019
Morning Read
DOLSON DOES IT: Former UConn center Stefanie Dolson has helped put the Chicago Sky in playoff contention for the first time in several seasons. (Storrs Central)
- SKEPTICAL IN CINCINNATI: It seems UConn wasn’t the only AAC program caught off guard by the conference’s new media rights deal with ESPN as Cincinnati has also expressed reservations about the actual windfall the deal will provide. (The Athletic)
