Huskies getting a leader at QB in Roberson
It’s no mystery why Ta’Quan Roberson was rated as one of the country’s top dual-threat quarterbacks coming out of his New Jersey high school in 2019.
“He was our everything,” former DePaul Catholic football coach John McKenna said. “He could make every throw on the field; he was able to move the chains with his feet. He was our captain and leader. And he’s the nicest kid you’ll ever meet.”
Roberson, a Wayne, N.J., native, committed to play for James Franklin at Big Ten powerhouse Penn State, a logical destination for a four-star recruit with untapped potential.
But he is now transferring to UConn.
Roberson, 21, announced the move Tuesday afternoon on Twitter, some two weeks after he entered the NCAA transfer portal. “Committed,” he wrote, with a Husky emoji. “Let’s work.”
As a Nittany Lion, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound Roberson completed 11 of 29 passes for 85 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. He played in four games last season after redshirting in 2020, with his most extensive work coming Oct. 9 in a 23-20 loss to Iowa when starter Sean Clifford was injured.
Roberson came on in the first half and struggled, throwing for 34 yards and two interceptions on 7 of 21 passing. It was his last appearance at Penn State.
McKenna, who texts Roberson regularly, is eager to see him get another
chance.
“He needs to play,” McKenna said. “He hasn’t played football in a while other than practice. He needs to get on the field and play. I’m ecstatic for him.”
In Storrs, Roberson will compete for the starting job. Tyler Phommachanh — who tore his ACL and LCL in October — and Steven Krajewski are both returning. Head coach Jim Mora also added former Oregon and Northern Arizona product Cale Millen.
According to McKenna, Roberson is coming in with something to prove.
“He really wants it,” McKenna said. “You’re getting a kid that’s extremely motivated to prove what he can do at this level. You’re going to get a leader as a quarterback. You’re going to get a positive guy. He is always positive, always on to the next play.
“His teammates will love him. He’ll have no problem fitting in.”
A few Huskies have already shared their excitement on social, including incoming freshman Victor Rosa. The Bristol Central product and Connecticut Gatorade State Player of the Year echoed Roberson, tweeting, “Let’s Work!!”
“LFG,” kicker/punter Joe McFadden wrote, along with the hashtag #bleedblue.
Even the program’s most prominent alum, former NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, chimed in, writing “I see you @UConnCoachMora,” shortly after Roberson’s announcement.
UConn running backs coach EJ Barthel, a New Jersey native who played three years at Rutgers, was instrumental in Roberson’s recruitment.
Roberson was hyped as a high schooler. Rivals rated him the Class of 2019’s No. 9 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 8 overall recruit in New Jersey, a football hotbed. A three-year letterman, he passed for 4,898 yards and 59 touchdowns over his final two seasons.
He committed to Penn State during his junior season over offers from North Carolina, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech, among other FBS programs.
“We had a bunch of good players,” McKenna said, “but he was our quarterback. He’s going to fit in right away. He’s used to competing, so I’m not worried about that, and neither is he.”