Edsall on signing day: ‘We got a lot better today’
Storrs — UConn coach Randy Edsall trumpeted his football recruiting class that he described as versatile and athletic.
A positive development for a program that's hit more sour than sweet notes in recent years..
Edsall announced the addition of 20 players — 12 on offense, eight on defense — during a signing day press conference Wednesday.
"Good day for UConn football," Edsall said. "We were able to sign 20 young men to come in and be part of our family and part of our program. Really looking forward to getting an opportunity to coach them. It's a really good group. Like these guys a lot. Like what they bring to the table in terms of their athleticism and versatility. All the things that you look for. "So we got a lot better today." After winning just three games in the last two seasons, the Huskies desperately need help.
It's been a stormy offseason for the Huskies, who've had 19 players leave the program and enter the transfer portal.
Edsall declined to address the issue Wednesday.
"All I'm talking about is these guys," Edsall said. "Whoever is not here, good luck. Wish you well . ... I only ever concern myself with who's here. And who wants to be here."
The incoming recruiting class will fill some big holes and add valuable depth. It includes five offensive linemen, five defensive linemen, two defensive backs, two running backs, two tight ends, two wide receivers, a linebacker and quarterback. Several players also are capable of returning kicks.
Ten players will be enrolling at UConn for the spring semester.
"We've been able to manage the roster now pretty well in terms of getting what we're looking for and the numbers that we want at each position, so I really feel good about that," Edsall said.
The two newcomers from the junior college ranks — 6-foot-2, 273-pound center Sidney Walker, an NJCAA All-American honorable mention out of Kilgore College in Texas, and 6-5, 310-pound tackle Alex Wyant, who played at Orange Coast College in California — are expected to compete for starting positions on a depleted offensive line. They'll be on campus in January.Another noteworthy recruit is Collin McCarthy, a 6-6, 230-pound defensive lineman out of Jackson Memorial in New Jersey. He was selected as the New Jersey defensive player of the year after piling up a career-best 18 sacks during his senior season. His father, Mike, played football at UConn from 1990-93.
When asked if UConn's independent status came up during his recruiting visits, Edsall said only a couple players talked about the subject. The Huskies officially leave the American Athletic Conference at the end of June.
"Life is about opportunity and that's what I said," Edsall said. "You come here, whatever you want to accomplish, you can accomplish here. You can do it."
Talent isn't the only thing Edsall looks for in recruits. He also wants them to be well-rounded, good students and good people with a strong work ethic and positive attitude.
His incoming recruits check off all those boxes.
"That's the thing that I like about these guys, they're workers," Edsall said. "They don't want to be given anything. They're not enabled and not entitled. Some of these guys have been committed to us since last June."
What the recruiting class doesn't have is a player from Connecticut.
"Just want the kids who want to be here," Edsall said. "We tried to recruit kids. I can't comment about them. They decided that they didn't want to be here. That's fine with me."
Edsall isn't finished recruiting for next season. He plans to add five more players: two cornerbacks, a running back, linebacker and an offensive lineman. g.keefe@theday.com
“We’ve been able to manage the roster now pretty well in terms of getting what we’re looking for and the numbers that we want at each position, so I really feel good about that.” UCONN FOOTBALL COACH RANDY EDSALL