UConn’s Crozier: ‘I’m blessed’
Senior center has overcome a series of knee injuries to return to football
Storrs — Ryan Crozier has endured his share of adversity.
Two knee injuries in the last three seasons, including one three games into last fall's schedule, sidelined him for extended periods during his UConn football career.
It's deepened his appreciation for the sport.
"You can't take anything for granted," Crozier said following Wednesday's first preseason practice held inside the Shenkman Training Center. "It's a blessing that I'm out there. I've just got to come out every day and thank God that I can still play this game."
It's been a long, hard recovery road for Crozier who's worked his way back from a season-ending knee injury against East Carolina on Sept. 24. He had surgery and sat out spring workouts while undergoing rehabilitation.
It's an understatement to say Crozier is enjoying his return to football.
"It felt good," Crozier said of the first practice. "I've definitely got to knock some rust off as expected. Overall, I thought I did pretty good flying around. It was good to be back with the guys, competing and stuff. I'm really excited."
Crozier, a 6-foot-4, 294-pound
redshirt senior center, is expected to anchor the offensive line this season. He was named to 2018 Rimington Trophy Watch List. The award is presented annually to most outstanding center in the country.
"He's a smart guy and he understands what we're trying to do," coach Randy Edsall said. "At that position, you need a guy that understands football and can communicate . ... I think he feels more confident and he's stronger.
"It's good to have him back out there." This is Crozier's second comeback. A left knee injury forced him to miss the 2015 season. He returned to started all 12 games in 2016 before heading to the sidelines again last season.
Crozier is in a good place physically and mentally. Only his scars serve as reminders.
"My knees are stronger than they've ever been," Crozier said. "I feel great. I didn't even feel it today. I wasn't thinking about it at all. That's just how you've got to do it. You can't let an injury hold you back. You've got to fly around. It's part of the game."
Not all the Huskies had a good first day Wednesday.
Ryan Fines, a transfer from Miami, is paying the price physically for showing up for his first UConn preseason camp in less than ideal condition.
Fines, a defensive lineman, admitted he didn't have the best mindset preparing for preseason before arriving in Connecticut.
"My main focus right now is to get in better shape," Fines said. "Obviously, today was not my best day. I came in probably a little over-confident. I wasn't really sure what to expect and I think it got the better of me. Going forward, I'm just going to keep my head to the grindstone and just work hard."
Overall, Edsall gave the team's first workout mixed reviews.
The Huskies started out well in steamy conditions but gradually faded toward the finish. They ended practice with a long series of crossfield sprints that depleted the players of their remaining energy.
"You have to have a starting point," Edsall said. "It's a lot different when they might be doing things themselves and you get into practice situations. As I just told them, it wasn't exactly what we wanted, but we had to start somewhere. Now what we've got to do is come out and get a little bit better tomorrow and continue to build and peak to when we play our first game.”