Some rather big news from UConn football practice Tuesday morning. I’ll give you the nuts and bolts with a few more details later:
– OT Jimmy Bennett, a key reserve who nearly unseated Dan Ryan for the starting left tackle job, will miss the entire season.
Bennett hurt his right knee in a scrimmage Saturday and will have surgery on it Friday.
Redshirt freshman OG Adam Masters will move to tackle to add depth but expect Mike Ryan to be the “third tackle” and play if anything happens to Dan Ryan or Mike Hicks.
– S Aaron Bagsby and DE Beau Brunelli have both been suspended indefinitely “due to athletic department policies,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said.
Edsall didn’t specify the infractions.
– TE Yianni Apostolakos’ career at UConn is over. The sophomore’s injured hip won’t allow him to play football anymore.
– S John Yurek, like Bennett, will have season-ending knee surgery soon.
– S Harris Agbor will miss 4-5 weeks because of the knee injury he suffered last week.
– Because of the need at safety (and because he probably wants to get him on the field) Kijuan Dabney is moving to strong safety.
The one-time linebacker’s shoulder injury isn’t too serious, it seems. He was practicing Tuesday with a red jersey on (no contact) but will resume full duties on Wednesday or Thursday.
“Just trying to get the best guys where we can fit them in,” Edsall said.
Freshman David Kenney’s move to linebacker appears permanent.
– Freshman WR Marcus Aiken has also been moved. He’s going to free safety.
“I know Marcus can be a wide receiver but we have a need at free safety right now,” Edsall said. “So I’m going to take a look at him there. That could be a permanent thing or could be a situation where we put him back at wide receiver.”
Whew. OK, I think that’s it.
- Neill
