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UConn football enters a new era at full speed.
Jason Candle, the architect of the winningest decade in Toledo history, will take the practice field on Wednesday, Aug. 5 aiming to keep the program’s momentum intact.
The Huskies are coming off back-to-back nine-win seasons under former coach Jim Mora, who left to become the head coach at Colorado State.
Candle arrives in Storrs with a track record built on consistency. Candle, who presided over the Toledo program for 10 seasons, won two Mid-American Conference championships, made seven trips to bowl games and left the Ohio program without a losing season in his tenure.
Candle isn’t interested in a rebuild. But he does realize a foundation for the program must be established in Year 1.
“I think it’s critical,” Candle said on media day when asked how important it is to continue UConn’s recent success. “I think we have to define what's realistic terms for for this team. Yesterday's home runs don't win today's game. Our successes or this program's successes or failures, either way, have no impact on what is going to go on here when this ball gets kicked off in September here. ?
Here are five storylines to watch out for as Fall camp begins on Wednesday.
Candle spent 10 seasons building Toledo into one of the most dependable programs in the Group of Five — two MAC titles, seven bowl trips and a decade without a single losing season.
He also proved he could identify and develop talent, sending 34 players to the NFL, including first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and longtime Kansas City Chiefs contributor Kareem Hunt.
Now UConn is betting that formula holds up at a higher level, handing Candle a six-year deal to build on the momentum Jim Mora left behind after consecutive 9-3 seasons.
UConn’s roster is almost entirely different from last season, having brought in 64 new additions to Storrs.
Candle went deep into the transfer portal, bringing 57 players in the spring. He also added seven incoming freshmen.
The offense has been completely overhauled as big-name transfers such as running back Cyncir Bowers, wide receiver Ryder Treadway and offensive lineman Dominic Rivera will look to make instant impacts.
On defense, the Huskies added former Michigan State defensive lineman Avery Dunn, Toledo standout Esean Carter, linebacker Zakaih Saez and defensive back Jayden Davis.
Among the slew of transfers, Candle brought over 22 players from Toledo.
UConn's quarterback competition is shaping up to be the most closely watched storyline of fall camp. Four players are in the mix, and Candle isn't ready to commit to any of them.
Kalieb Osborne enters as the presumptive favorite after spending two years learning Candle's offense at Toledo. He flashed his dual-threat ability in the Boca Raton Bowl, throwing for a touchdown and adding 77 rushing yards.
But he's not running away with the job.
Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, a former four-star recruit who spent two seasons at Tennessee without ever cracking the starting lineup, brings the kind of arm talent and size that make him a threat to leapfrog the more experienced options.
Behind them, redshirt junior Tucker McDonald offers steadiness and experience from three appearances a season ago, while true freshman Bo Polston — a Candle recruit who followed him from his Toledo commitment — is working his way back from a shoulder injury that cost him his final high school season.
Offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile has made clear the staff won't rush a decision just to have one, which means this battle could stretch deep into camp.
Candle is known to be an offensive-forward coach, but his fingerprints are all over this UConn defense.
New defensive coordinator Ryan Manalac, who was previously a linebackers coach at Pitt, will have plenty to work with as Candle brought over all-conference linebacker K’Von Sherman. Sherman led Toledo in tackles last season with 93 and is expected to anchor the front seven.
UConn also brought in former Penn defensive tackle John Lista, who earned unanimous all-Ivy League honors last season after finishing the year with 78 tackles and two sacks.
The secondary has more questions, but Candle’s track record suggests he can get the most out of young defensive backs. Look for players like Jayden Davis, Tyler McKinstry and Moussa Kane to be contenders to have breakout years.
Despite having a first-year coach, an almost entirely new roster and no conference to call home, the Huskies have a schedule that would favor them getting to their fourth bowl game in five years.
UConn has seven home games, starting with the Huskies’ season opener against Lafayette on Sept. 5.
UConn should be favored against Lafayette, Southern Mississippi, Temple, UMass and Old Dominion. The Huskies will have tougher matchups against Maryland, Syracuse, North Carolina and James Madison; however all of those games will be at home.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Here's five UConn football storylines heading into fall camp
Continue reading...
Jason Candle, the architect of the winningest decade in Toledo history, will take the practice field on Wednesday, Aug. 5 aiming to keep the program’s momentum intact.
The Huskies are coming off back-to-back nine-win seasons under former coach Jim Mora, who left to become the head coach at Colorado State.
Candle arrives in Storrs with a track record built on consistency. Candle, who presided over the Toledo program for 10 seasons, won two Mid-American Conference championships, made seven trips to bowl games and left the Ohio program without a losing season in his tenure.
Candle isn’t interested in a rebuild. But he does realize a foundation for the program must be established in Year 1.
“I think it’s critical,” Candle said on media day when asked how important it is to continue UConn’s recent success. “I think we have to define what's realistic terms for for this team. Yesterday's home runs don't win today's game. Our successes or this program's successes or failures, either way, have no impact on what is going to go on here when this ball gets kicked off in September here. ?
Here are five storylines to watch out for as Fall camp begins on Wednesday.
Can Jason Candle's success travel to UConn?
Candle spent 10 seasons building Toledo into one of the most dependable programs in the Group of Five — two MAC titles, seven bowl trips and a decade without a single losing season.
He also proved he could identify and develop talent, sending 34 players to the NFL, including first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and longtime Kansas City Chiefs contributor Kareem Hunt.
Now UConn is betting that formula holds up at a higher level, handing Candle a six-year deal to build on the momentum Jim Mora left behind after consecutive 9-3 seasons.
UConn football has 57 transfers
UConn’s roster is almost entirely different from last season, having brought in 64 new additions to Storrs.
Candle went deep into the transfer portal, bringing 57 players in the spring. He also added seven incoming freshmen.
The offense has been completely overhauled as big-name transfers such as running back Cyncir Bowers, wide receiver Ryder Treadway and offensive lineman Dominic Rivera will look to make instant impacts.
On defense, the Huskies added former Michigan State defensive lineman Avery Dunn, Toledo standout Esean Carter, linebacker Zakaih Saez and defensive back Jayden Davis.
Among the slew of transfers, Candle brought over 22 players from Toledo.
UConn QB battle
UConn's quarterback competition is shaping up to be the most closely watched storyline of fall camp. Four players are in the mix, and Candle isn't ready to commit to any of them.
Kalieb Osborne enters as the presumptive favorite after spending two years learning Candle's offense at Toledo. He flashed his dual-threat ability in the Boca Raton Bowl, throwing for a touchdown and adding 77 rushing yards.
But he's not running away with the job.
Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, a former four-star recruit who spent two seasons at Tennessee without ever cracking the starting lineup, brings the kind of arm talent and size that make him a threat to leapfrog the more experienced options.
Behind them, redshirt junior Tucker McDonald offers steadiness and experience from three appearances a season ago, while true freshman Bo Polston — a Candle recruit who followed him from his Toledo commitment — is working his way back from a shoulder injury that cost him his final high school season.
Offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile has made clear the staff won't rush a decision just to have one, which means this battle could stretch deep into camp.
UConn's defense has a Toledo touch
Candle is known to be an offensive-forward coach, but his fingerprints are all over this UConn defense.
New defensive coordinator Ryan Manalac, who was previously a linebackers coach at Pitt, will have plenty to work with as Candle brought over all-conference linebacker K’Von Sherman. Sherman led Toledo in tackles last season with 93 and is expected to anchor the front seven.
UConn also brought in former Penn defensive tackle John Lista, who earned unanimous all-Ivy League honors last season after finishing the year with 78 tackles and two sacks.
The secondary has more questions, but Candle’s track record suggests he can get the most out of young defensive backs. Look for players like Jayden Davis, Tyler McKinstry and Moussa Kane to be contenders to have breakout years.
How’s the schedule shaping up?
Despite having a first-year coach, an almost entirely new roster and no conference to call home, the Huskies have a schedule that would favor them getting to their fourth bowl game in five years.
UConn has seven home games, starting with the Huskies’ season opener against Lafayette on Sept. 5.
UConn should be favored against Lafayette, Southern Mississippi, Temple, UMass and Old Dominion. The Huskies will have tougher matchups against Maryland, Syracuse, North Carolina and James Madison; however all of those games will be at home.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Here's five UConn football storylines heading into fall camp
Continue reading...
