How Young is UConn’s Football Team? Freshmen Fill the Roster

Growing Up Is Getting Old

The Story: The football team isn’t getting any younger — but it’s not getting any older, it seems. Ninety-three of the 102 players on the Huskies entering Saturday’s season opener at Fresno State enter the season with at least three seasons of eligibility remaining.

BLUE, WHITE … AND GREEN: Between the Class of 2020, the Class of 2021 and a slew of walk-ons, the Huskies enter the season with 44 true freshmen and 14 redshirt freshmen. That’s 56.8 percent of the team that still has four years of eligibility left.

• The Huskies have only eight seniors or redshirt seniors though many of them are starters, including running back Kevin Mensah, left tackle Ryan Van Demark, tight end Jay Rose and linebacker D.J. Morgan.

• Seven players who held significant roles in 2019 are true sophomores, including wide receiver Cam Ross, outside linebacker Jackson Mitchell, cornerback Myles Bell and defensive end Eric Watts.

• Of the 70 players who appeared in a game in 2019, only 36 are still on the team.

FIRST-YEAR STANDOUTS: Ross and Mitchell were among the more accomplished freshmen playing in the FBS in 2019.

• Ross’ 60 catches and 723 receiving yards weren’t just the most on the Huskies. He ranked second among FBS true freshmen in receptions and fifth among FBS true freshmen in receiving yards.

• Mitchell, from Ridgefield, led all FBS true freshmen with 6.5 tackles per game and was third among FBS true freshmen with 65 tackles.

Crawford Making A Name For Himself

The Story: Reggie Crawford has the potential to be one of the most dynamic college baseball players next season following an eye-opening summer.

LIGHT ‘EM UP: Crawford, who will play his third season at UConn in the spring, appeared in six games for the Bourne Braves and then played for USA Baseball’s collegiate team this summer. He led the Big East and the Huskies with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs last season.

• Primarily a first baseman, Crawford will pitch for the Huskies next season. He pitched in six games last season, when he struck out 17 batters and walked three in 7 2/3 innings. He hit 101 mph in a Cape Cod League game on June 28.

• Coach Jim Penders is planning for Crawford to play first base or be the designated hitter for most games and pitch on Sundays next season.

• “He could be the face of college baseball next year,” Penders said.