The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Bisack making most of chances
STORRS — Walking off Tetreau-Davis Field after throwing three touchdown passes in his final game as Fairfield Warde’s starting quarterback on Thanksgiving Day four years ago, Brandon Bisack had no idea when he would throw his next pass in an organized game.
The college recruiters weren’t flocking to Fairfield to scout the strongarmed 6-foot-4 Bisack. He could take a postgraduate year at a prep school or head to UConn as a preferred walk-on.
There might have been a few raised eyebrows when Bisack decided to try to earn a scholarship at UConn and work his way into the quarterback rotation.
“I was really good at blocking out what everybody except my inner (circle) was saying.” Bisack said after Tuesday morning’s spring practice. “There are definitely doubters, probably thought I should go lower level. I wanted to come to this level and I wanted to prove myself.”
His goals were simple but challenging upon arriving at UConn. First, he wanted to receive a scholarship and then get a chance to play quarterback.
The scholarship came a couple years back on an unforgettable day.
“It was sprung on me,” Bisack said. “They never told me that if you come here you are going to get one after this year. I have to work hard and if I work hard enough I will get it and if I don’t, I won’t.
“It was great, they (his parents) cried instantly. It was a great moment for my family and for myself. From my town it is big, we haven’t really had many Division I athletes coming out of my school especially in football. It is a big deal, when I go home, when I see my old coaches. They are rooting for me and everybody is pulling for me.”
When Bisack was a true freshman, four quarterbacks were ahead of him in
the pecking order. Three years later he found himself earning first-team work during spring practice and in the 2017 spring game, he was 19 for 29 for 222 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown pass to Tyraiq Beals.
“There is a speed change from the first to the second teams,” Bisack said. There is a little more savvy on the first team and it really helps. You can understand when they are disguising something or exactly what they are doing on certain keys.”
David Pindell, who passed for a career-high 273 yards in the 2017 finale against Cincinnati, has received all the work with the first-team offense during spring drills. Bisack, a redshirt junior, and redshirt freshmen Jordan McAfee and Marvin Washington are all getting a chance to show what they can do. This summer, freshman Steve Krajewski will arrive in Storrs.
UConn coach Randy Edsall said he doesn’t plan on declaring a clear No. 2 quarterback during spring drills.
Bisack getting the chance to show what he can do is all that he ever asked for.
“The main goal is to play and the best player will play,” Bisack said. “I am going to keep working my hardest in film, in the weight room, in the classroom and, hopefully, get my opportunity.
“Although David is the starter right now, I am an upperclassman and I can bring leadership qualities and I can help, whatever I need to do to help us win, I will do it.”
Bisack is one of nine offensive players and the only quarterback who was on the roster when UConn played in the 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl. Although he is competing with McAfee and Washington for playing time, he’s trying to help them make the adjustment from high school stars to college contributors.
“They were thrown into the fire,” Bisack said. “They are young and if I got that many reps when I first got here, I think my head would have exploded.”
⏩ Defensive lineman Kevin
Murphy and tight end Tyler Davis are in concussion protocol and missed Tuesday’s practice. An ankle injury sidelined defensive back Jordan Swann, enabling true freshman Shamel Lazarus to see time with the starters. Running back Kevin Mensah was also held out of practice but not due to injury.
“Kevin Mensah wasn’t out here because he didn’t do the things he needed to do in the classroom right now, so they’ve got to understand it is all inclusive,” Edsall said. “Kevin, there is no doubt he can do it but he has to be held accountable.”
Edsall said it is up to Mensah when he returns to the practice field.
⏩ UConn will hold its annual spring game on April 14 at Rentschler Field at noon. Parking and admission is free. Parking lots will open for tailgating at 9 a.m. while fans can enter the stadium at 10:30 a.m.