The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Four state products among 19 set to sign with Huskies
Thanks to a new wrinkle in the recruiting timeline, the group of incoming UConn football signees will be announced on Wednesday rather than waiting until February as part of the first class of recruits able to sign in December thanks to new NCAA guidelines.
A couple of players who have committed to the Huskies will not be among the 19 players on the list.
Linebacker Dillon Harris committed to UConn when he was at Cheshire Academy. However, he landed at Lackawanna College, a two-year school in Scranton, Pa. Lackawanna coach Mark Duda confirmed that Harris has another season at Lackawanna so he won’t be signing this year but could sign in December 2018.
Liam Maloney, a lineman out of Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, N.Y., will not be signing during the early period. His high school coach, John Barber, said Maloney has “some things to figure out.” Barber said the 6-foot-8 Maloney is still committed to UConn and could sign with the Huskies in February. Barber said no visits are planned to other colleges at this time.
After four true freshmen and three redshirt freshman defensive backs got onto the field during the 2017 season, the Huskies are adding six players projecting to be defensive backs, which is understandable since Tre Bell, Brice McAllister, Jamar Summers and Tony Watkins are graduating or have graduated, while Aaron Garland and John Robinson announced their intention to transfer.
Even without Maloney, six linemen will be a part of the class, including Wilbur Cross star Travis Jones, who on Tuesday was named to the Walter Camp All-Connecticut team.
Three wide receivers, two linebackers including Walter Camp All-Connecticut selection Kevon Jones out of East Hartford High School, one quarterback and a running back are also a part of the class. The Huskies could add to the class with fewer than 60 returning players on scholarship.
Here’s a look at UConn’s incoming freshman class:
⏩ DB Malik Banks, How-
ard (Del): Led Howard to 8-4 record and a spot in Delaware IAA Division 2 playoffs
⏩ DB Ryan Carroll, Potomac (Md): Had 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions as a senior.
⏩ RB Khyon Gillespie, Capital Prep: Ran for 1,408 yards and 13 touchdowns with 23 receptions for 422 yards to go with 48 tackles.
⏩ WR Elijah Jeffreys, Somerville (Mass.): Played quarterback for 7-3 team as he earned player of the year in Northeast Conference, helping Somerville reach second round of MIAA Division 5 playoffs.
⏩ LB Kevon Jones, East Hartford: Had 120 tackles including 20 in loss to Darien in CIAC Class LL playoffs. Ran for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns and had 404 yards on 19 receptions.
⏩ OL Travis Jones, Wilbur Cross: The 355-pound twoway starting lineman had
61 tackles and 7 sacks and helped Jasiah Barnes post seven 100-yard rushing games as the Governors finished 7-3 for their first winning season since 2014.
⏩ QB Steve Krajewski, Colquitt County (Ga.): Completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,386 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. Threw touchdown in final minute in Georgia 7A title game but a last-second field goal by North Gwinnett kept Colquitt County from finishing season with championship.
⏩ DB Shamel Lazarus, Erasmus Hall (N.Y.): Led Erasmus Hall to undefeated regular season and spot in PSAL City Championship game.
⏩ DB Jeremy Lucien, Choate: Pennsylvania native had 45 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions in nine games as a senior. Also a dean’s list student and headmaster’s scholar.
⏩ WR Heron Maurisseau, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.): Had 31 receptions for 493 yards and five touchdowns in nine games as St. Anthony’s had eight games with at least 30 points scored during 9-2 campaign.
⏩ DB Jordan Morrison, Steinert (N.J.): Best public school player in Mercer County. Leader of defense which allowed 15 points in a five-game stretch early in the season.
⏩ OL Dylan Niedrowski, Exeter Township (Pa.): Helped 7-4 team run for 3132 yards and 31 touchdowns. Had strong showing at Penn Preps All-State Football Camp.
⏩ OL Noel Ofori-Nyadu, Timberview (Tex.): Lineman helped Timberview average 31 points in the first four games of the season.
⏩ DB Keyshawn Paul, Jackson (Fla.): Latest Florida defensive back to commit to play for Randy Edsall, Paul had 55 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, five pass breakups and averaged 20 yards per kickoff return.
⏩ WR Oneil Robinson, Capital Prep: Had 50 catches for 1,068 and nine touchdowns. Added 80 tackles, three interceptions and averaged 38 yards on five kickoff returns.
⏩ DL Jonathan Pace, St. Sebastian’s (Mass.): The 265-pound defensive end had 36 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and three pass breakups for 2-6 team. Finished with 75 tackles and nine tackles for loss in 24 games over last three seasons.
⏩ OL Peter Rooney: Westminster (Ga.): Helped Westminster average 38 points in final five games of season including trip to quarterfinals of Georgia AAA playoffs.
⏩ DE Lwal Uguak, Ainlay (Canada): The 245-pound defensive end had 13 1⁄2 sacks and three forced fumbles to lead Ainlay to 14-0 season culminating in ASAA Provincial title.
⏩ LB Hunter Webb, Loyalsock Township (Pa.): Had 179 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions.