QB Job a Game-Week Decision
The Story: UConn released the depth chart for its season opener at Fresno State on Saturday, and after more than 600 days of quarterback competition, we still don’t have one — at least publicly.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Steve Krajewski and Jack Zergiotis are both listed atop the depth chart released on Monday. That means either could start, and heck, we might see both. Let’s size up what they have done because, to be honest, we couldn’t remember what either of them look like or how they played, so we figure you can’t, either. Zergiotis played in 10 games as a true freshman in 2019 and showed some promise by throwing for 1,782 yards and nine touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Zergiotis has a good arm (check out this 57-yard touchdown pass to the sensational Cam Ross) but gave us heartburn with his decision-making. He had an incredible ability to give up game-changing turnovers and let’s hope the last 18 months have reined in his gambler persona. He has the talent and spirit you want at quarterback, though, and we like that. For Krajewski, he’s seen limited time due to injuries and has thrown only 38 passes in his career. He’s a dual-threat quarterback and this is the beginning of his fourth year in the program. He also has three years of eligibility left.
TANDEM RBS? Kevin Mensah is the running back, but the Huskies oddly listed the position twice. Freshman Nate Carter is also listed as a starter. Are the Huskies going with a two-back set? Are they bringing the wing-T to Storrs? Is Mensah the workhorse and Carter the game breaker? All we know is that Edsall rarely touts anyone who has yet to play but has raved about Carter, a freshman from Rochester, N.Y. Mensah has run for 2,619 yards in three years and has scored 19 touchdowns. He is about 1,200 yards shy of breaking Donald Brown‘s school-record 3,800 yards and has averaged 4.5 yards per carry. He’s a big, tough downhill runner and will need a stout offensive line, led by Ryan Van Demark, to lead him to success. Carter is 5-foot-9 and has drawn comparisons to Brown for his explosiveness. We just like that the running backs are getting compared to Brown, who was UConn’s most dominant offensive player in recent memory and became a first-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2008.
TOO YOUNG? We don’t know. Looking at the roster, there are an awful lot of sophomores and freshmen on the depth chart, but nearly every one of the starters played significant snaps two years ago. Add a year for almost everyone since the Huskies didn’t play last year and they don’t look quite as young. Game experience can’t be replicated, but we imagine 18 months between games and lots of practice is going to pay off. We have concerns on defense in the secondary, of course. Jeremy Lucien is the only corner who has separated himself and veteran safety Diamond Harrell has apparently found himself in a position battle. Fresno State is going to throw the ball all over the place and we want to see the corners cover. The defensive line, led by mammoth tackle Travis Jones, and the linebacker corps appear solid.
OUR TAKE: UConn is a developmental program and doesn’t bring in ready-made high school talent. It takes time. That’s why having this much time off is interesting and a fascinating study in development. If you can’t develop in 18 months, it probably isn’t happening for you. Physically, the Huskies should look like a college team, but game experience matters. Will they acclimate to the speed and pressure? That’s what we won’t know until they get out on the field.
Morning Reads
COACH ALLEN? Hall of Famer and UConn hoops royalty Ray Allen is coaching his son at Gulliver Prep in Pinecrest, Florida. Jim Calhoun weighed in, and it’s a fun read. (CT Insider)
BUECKERS NO. 1: Who is the most marketable college basketball player? It’s Paige Bueckers, and that includes the men’s and women’s games. (ESPN)
