The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Pindell named starting QB for UConn
Edsall names transfer as first-string quarterback
There was no grand unveiling or overly dramatic dog and pony show when it came time for UConn football coach Randy Edsall to name David Pindell as the Huskies’ starting quarterback.
Unlike former coach Bob Diaco, who brought out the four quarterbacks for a press conference when Casey Cochran was named the starting QB in Diaco’s rather forgettable first season, Edsall simply had a matter of fact way of declaring that Pindell has won the position midway through preseason camp.
“David Pindell is going to our quarterback, he is the starter,” Edsall said before Sunday’s practice at Rentschler Field.
Bryant Shirreffs started 21 games over the last two seasons and competed with Brandon Bisack for the top spot during spring camp before Pindell arrived at UConn. A week into camp, Pindell was already seeing much of the time with the firstteam offense. Donovan Williams, who started the last three games of the 2016 season, saw the writing on the wall and asked Edsall if he could move to receiver.
With Pindell running coordinator Rhett Lashlee’s fast-paced, no-huddle offense, there is some time for the game plan to be instituted for the Aug. 31 season opener against Holy Cross.
Pindell ran a similar offense during his time at Lackawanna College when he completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,424 yards with 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 459 yards and eight touchdowns in his only season as a starter with the junior college in Scranton, Pa.
“He is smart and he knows what to do with the football, he
is a great quarterback,” UConn senior tight end Tommy Myers said. “He is a guy who puts his head to the ground and just does what he is supposed to do and there is a lot of respect for him. He works hard every day and that is why they gravitate to him because they like how hard he works.”
Pindell has displayed the ability to throw the ball well on the run, and Edsall has praised his ability to get the ball out of his hands with incredible ease and accuracy.
Pindell hasn’t been made available to the media since preseason camp began, but at the media day festivities held on the eve of preseason practices commencing, he did address the unflappable persona he brings to the quarterback position.
“I don’t try to get too high or too low,” Pindell said. “I feel like at the quarterback position, you do your job, do what your coaches tell me to do and good things will happen so I try not to get too excited about it or too down about it if we make a bad play, just get back up for the next play.”
The only one of his current teammates to have played a game against Pindell is linebacker and fellow junior-college transfer Santana Sterling.
“From the game we played against him and all the film we watched on him, it really seemed like he was sensible, the whole time he was really prepared and trying to get his guys going,” Sterling said.
So what has impressed Edsall the most in the two weeks that Pindell has been at practice?
“Just saw the way he came in and handled the offense,” Edsall said. “He still has work to do as they all do. It was time, we have seen things. We sat down with the offensive staff and talked with them and evaluated all the things we have seen.
“He is a relatively quiet young man who is very prideful, he wants to be the best he can. He is a very diligent guy, he is a guy who will spend time on the field, in the meeting room doing the things necessary that it takes to be a quarterback.”
Edsall also announced that redshirt freshman Cam DeGeorge will be the starting right offensive guard. He will team up on the line with center Ryan Crozier, guard Trey Rutherford and tackles Tommy Hopkins and Matthew Peart, who have started between 9-15 games.
“Just watching him play, how athletic he is and how we moves,” Edsall said. “What you are trying to do is get the best people on the field. My philosophy is I don’t care what position they might have played before, what I am trying to do is get the 11 best on offense and the 11 best on defense. Sometimes you take a look and there might be a guy who is playing a guard or a tackle who might help at guard or tackle where is not playing. When you watch him do it live, watch him do it in a scrimmage, he becomes one of your best five so you make that move.”
Peart, Crozier and Myers were named to the team’s leadership council by Edsall after a vote by players and coaches along with receiver Hergy Mayala, defensive end Luke Carrezola, cornerback Tre Bell, linebackers Vontae Diggs and Junior Joseph, tight end Alec Bloom and running back Jason Thompson. Edsall said quarterbacks were not included because they already are in a leadership position.
The honor was special for all the players but none more than Thompson, a former Shelton High star who is a former walk-on.
“Growing up as a Connecticut kid, coming in here as a walk-on means so much to me,” Thompson said. “I am grateful that I am able to be here, proud that my teammates selected me and will try to do the job to be best of my ability.”
Luke Magliozzi, a 23-year-old punter from Australia, arrived in camp after needing to go to Canada to deal with some red tape. True freshman quarterback Marvin Washington was not at practice due to what was referred to “obligations” that he needs to tend to. Defensive lineman Philippe Okounam is sidelined due to a knee injury.
Diggs said his knee surgery conducted last week went well and he is still hoping to return in time for the season opener against Holy Cross although he admitted that shooting for the AAC opener vs. South Florida might be more reasonable.