Freshmen will get their chances

There are plenty of familiar names leading the way in UConn’s first depth chart of the 2017 season with 12 seniors listed as starters. However, the freshman class is also well represented with 14 players on the offensive or defensive two-deep chart.

Leading the way is Cam DeGeorge, a redshirt freshman slated to be the Huskies’ starting right offensive guard. DeGeorge worked mostly at right tackle during spring drills and also during his redshirt season. With the decision to kick former starting guard Tommy Hopkins out to tackle, DeGeorge quickly emerged as the top guard at right guard.

“I am bringing my effort every day, take everything I’ve learned and put into game situations,” DeGeorge said. “There is a big difference (moving from tackle to guard), just the speed but I just have to do it. Coach Grimes has been a great coach to help me get there.”

The other offensive line starters — tackles Matthew Peart and Hopkins, guard Trey Rutherford and center Ryan Crozier — have previous starting experience with the Huskies. DeGeorge is being aided by having Crozier and Hopkins on either side of him.

“It is great, the senior leadership on the line is great,” DeGeorge said. “They help me out, they try to give me some tips here and there and they coach me up too.”

DeGeorge was a high-profile recruit and a player who originally committed to Syracuse but when Scott Shaker was fired in 2015, DeGeorge began to explore his options. In December he committed to UConn. It didn’t take him long to get noticed by the previous coaching staff at UConn as he got some second team reps in practice. However, listed at 255 pounds on the 2016 opening day roster, DeGeorge was certainly not going to get on the field as an offensive lineman as a true freshman.

DeGeorge is now listed at 283 pounds and that number figures to grow in the coming months and years,

“We just like his athleticism,” UConn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. “We need to upgrade in athleticism in certain areas. He needs to put on

weight, get stronger. He is young, he’s been playing some right tackle all spring and now he is at guard. There is a learning curve and we understand that but we think his upside is very good.”

Other freshmen starters include receiver Quayvon Skanes and defensive back Tyler Coyle. Five of the 10 defensive backs listed are freshmen as Omar Fortt, Tahj Herring-Wilson, Ian Swenson and Jordan Swann are second stringers. Eddie Hahn, listed as a defensive back on the roster, is in there are a secondteam linebacker.

Two positions don’t have a declared starter. Seniors Alec Bloom and Tommy Myers are listed as costarters at tight end, while the punter position lists Luke Magliozzi and Brett Graham as co-starters.

UCONN’S TWO-DEEP CHART

QB: David Pindell, JR; Bryant Shirreffs, SR RB: Arkeel Newsome, SR; Nate Hopkins, FR/Jason Thompson, JR WR: Hergy Mayala, JR; Mason Donaldson, FR

WR: Tyraiq Beals, JR; Keyion Dixon, FR

WR: Quayvon Skanes, FR; Tyler Davis, SO/Aaron McLean, JR/Donovan Williams, SO

TE: Alec Bloom, SR/Tommy Myers, SR

LT: Matt Peart, SO; Brendan Vechery, SR

LG: Trey Rutherford, SR; Nino Leone, FR

C: Ryan Crozier, JR; Dan Oak, JR RG: Cam DeGeorge, FR; Steve Hashemi, SR RT: Tommy Hopkins, SR; Ryan Van Demark, FR DE: Cole Ormsby, SR; James Atkins, JR

NT: Foley Fatukasi, SR; Kevin Murphy, SO

DE: Luke Carrezola, SR; Sheriden Lawley, JR

LB: Chris Britton, JR; Darrian Beavers, FR

LB: Junior Joseph, SR; Santana Sterling, JR

LB: Cam Stapleton, SR; Eddie Hahn, FR

DB: Tre Bell, SR; Jordan Swann, FR

DB: Jamar Summers, SR; Tahj Herring, FR

DB: Tyler Coyle, FR; Omar Fortt, FR

DB: Brice McAllister, SR; Marshe Terry, SO

DB: Anthony Watkins, JR; Ian Swenson, FR