Training wheels are coming off
Edsall excited, but still bit concerned as he prepares for his second go-around
Certain days are circled on a college football coach's calendar.
Of course, the season opener is one highly-anticipated event, a date that deserves to be highlighted with a heavy dose of red marker.
The first day of preseason camp is another.
Coach Randy Edsall gets excited just thinking about bringing his UConn football family together this week. The players report on Thursday and the first practice is Saturday.
"It's here," Edsall said. "It's time to get going."
The Huskies already have made a significant investment into preparing for the upcoming season during spring practice, summer strength and conditioning workouts, and countless hours working behind the scenes.
"I've been pleased with how they've worked and the attitude that they brought to spring practice, the winter program and now brought to the summer program," Edsall said. "We've tried to do everything we can to enhance our opportunities to be as good as we can heading into this season. But I think this team is really going to come together from what I've
seen. I've seen a group that's pretty tight right now. You always have a couple of knuckleheads but they'll be okay.
"I like what I've seen so far. I'm anxious to get started and incorporate the freshmen and all the other newcomers that are going to be part of it."
That's not to say Edsall doesn't have his share of concerns. Rebuilding a program that's had six straight losing seasons is a major project.
Here's what concerns Edsall entering preseason camp:
• There's clearly been a positive momentum shift since Edsall replaced Bob Diaco at the helm. Now the trick is continue the trend.
Edsall is curious to see if the Huskies experienced a growth spurt since spring practice ended in April. Players are still digesting a new system on both sides of the football.
"Are we going from spring ball to the start of practice and are we going on this (upward) trajectory from a learning standpoint? Or do we have to go back and re-learn some things and then go. That's one of the concerns that I have, is how much retention, how much work they've done on their own in the summer. I know what they're doing strength and conditioning-wise. Now how much of the mental part of it have they continued to work on and go through."
• No doubt there's some talent on the roster, especially on defense. But more quality players are needed for the Huskies to be a factor in the American Athletic Conference.
Edsall and his coaching staff will continue to search for help. He hinted at AAC media day last week that there still could be as many as three more additions to the roster.
"We're still not probably going to be deep enough for what I would like in certain positions," Edsall said. "I think we've tried to address the roster the best way we could. We've still got a couple other options out there right now. Hopefully, maybe that will come our way. We'll have to wait and see on that."
"... We still have some things going on with the roster so that's why there is no depth chart right now."
Edsall's goal in the upcoming weeks before the season opener Aug. 31 against Holy Cross is to get as many players ready as possible to contribute.
"I really do think we're going to have some really good competition," Edsall said. "The more competition we can have, the better I think we can be."
• UConn lost a reliable punter in Justin Wain, who averaged 41.3 yards per kick last season. He had plenty of opportunities, too, as the Huskies ranked second in the AAC in punt attempts with 74.
There's no clear favorite heading into summer camp.
"That concerns me because that's a big part of the game," Edsall said. "I think we'll be okay at field goal and PAT. I think we've got guys there that will be able to compete and give us what we want. Probably the biggest concern going into preseason, who is our punter going to be?"
• The Huskies had major issues on the offensive line last season as part of a slugggish offense that averaged just 14.8 points per game. They ranked tied for last in the AAC in sacks against.
Redshirt junior Ryan Crozier is healthy again after sitting spring practice. Redshirt sophomore Matt Peart, senior Trey Rutherford and redshirt senior Tommy Hopkins all started games last season while redshirt senior Brendan Vechery is another veteran.
"We've got a couple of positions on the offensive line that have got to be sorted out," Edsall said. "Having Ryan Crozier back is going to help. ... That will give us some experience and leadership there."
• The departure of standout receiver Noel Thomas, who accounted for 100 of the team's 213 receptions last season, leaves a significant void to fill. The top returning receiver is tailback Arkeel Newsome, who had 25 catches in 2016.
On the plus side, there's a promising and athletic group of young receivers eager to compete for playing time.
"It's going to be interesting because I think we've got some guys at receiver," Edsall said. "I'm anxious to see how some of these young men have matured since the end of spring and are they really ready to step up and accept a role or win a role where they can go out and be counted on and do the things that we need to be done."
• Those are just some of the Edsall's concerns. He also hopes a starting quarterback emerges by the end of preseason camp, the secondary matures into a consistent unit and leadership continues to develop.
He won't have to worry about his players being invested in the program.
"It's a new year," senior Luke Carrezola said. "We have to come out and earn it every day in practice and earn it on Saturdays."
“I’m anxious to get started and incorporate the freshmen and all the other newcomers that are going to be part of it.” RANDY EDSALL