We’re here at Gampel Pavilion waiting for UConn and Northeastern to tipoff in the NIT first round.
But we spent the afternoon with the football-playing Huskies as they started spring practice over in the Shenkman Center.
Before the hoops gets hot and heavy, here are a few highlights from the grid iron:
– It wasn’t the most electric day in the history of sports. And head coach Randy Edsall wasn’t about to offer any major statements or judgments.
“There’s not much you can tell with just having the helmets on,” Edsall said. “You’re not going to do any evaluating today, that’s for sure.”
– QB Zach Frazer got off to a seemingly good start.
“He’s worked hard to improve himself physically,” Edsall said. “Now we’ll see how much he’s improved mentally, how much sharper he is as we continue to practice.”
– Edsall on the potential backups to RB Jordan Todman:
“I’d be very comfortable with Meme (Wylie). I’d be very comfortable with Robbie Frey,” Edsall said. “We’ve seen those guys. They haven’t maybe played in the games that much.”
– RB Martin Hyppolite (mono) is out for a couple weeks.
– WR Mike Lang (hamstring) should return to practice Saturday.
– Kevin Friend and Adam Masters were your starting offensive tackles today.
Obviously Mike Ryan and Jimmy Bennett, when healthy, have the inside track still.
– Marcus Campbell and Trevardo Williams were the starting defensive ends.
It could be interesting if the pair of former 100-meter sprinters play opposite each other. (The currently injured Jesse Joseph could easily return to the starting lineup.)
Campbell spent a year away from the program as he worked on academics and worked his way back into the school.
“I just think it’s getting back to fundamentals and techniques,” Edsall said. “He’s stronger now than he was. He’s got his head on his shoulders better. Any time you have to go through what he did or what Dahna did, you come back a more focused person.”
– As expected, Marcus Aiken was the starting safety alongside Jerome Junior. Aiken looked OK, but FB Anthony Sherman may have been his responsibility when the senior caught a deep ball from Zach Frazer on one play.
– QB Leon Kinnard has a decent arm and could be more than just an “athlete” someday for the Huskies. But he may be generously listed at 5-foot-9. Not sure he’s 5-7.
- Neill
