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First-year UConn football coach Jason Candle doesn’t have his QB1 yet. Not officially, anyway.
"I don't have earth-shattering news to report," Candle said at media day on July 23.
That competition is shaping up to be one of the most compelling storylines of UConn’s fall camp. Four quarterbacks –– a returning starter-in-waiting who followed his coach from Toledo, a former blue-chip Tennessee transfer, a returning backup hoping to climb to starter status and an exciting true freshman –– will spend the next month trying to separate themselves before the Huskies open their season.
Offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile, whose opinion will be key in determining a starter, said the staff isn’t interested in rushing the process just to have an answer.
"The sooner you do it, that's probably the best for continuity," Campanile said. "But at the same time, we certainly want to make sure that we're right. We don't want to rush to judgment on something. Guys need to have enough reps to have the opportunity to develop. But it's also from the continuity and leadership standpoint, we got to get to a decision as quickly as we can. But most importantly, we got to make the right decision."
Here's a look at the group of players in the mix to be UConn's starting quarterback this fall:
While Candle hasn’t named an official QB1, Kalieb Osborne should be one of the clear favorites going into fall camp.
Osborne spent the last two seasons learning Candle’s offense at Toledo and gives the first-year coach someone familiar with his expectations for UConn’s offense.
The Pontiac, Michigan native was a three-star recruit coming out of Mott High School where he threw for 3,532 yards and 34 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,865 yards and 25 scores.
He redshirted his true freshman season and made seven appearances for Toledo last season. His shining moment came in the Boca Raton Bowl, where he completed 17-of-28 passes and threw a touchdown. He also rushed for 77 yards on 18 carries.
A true dual-threat quarterback, Osborne’s ability to extend plays makes him standout in a quarterback battle that includes big name transfers and experienced returners.
“(Kalieb) is a phenomenal athlete. I mean, as best gifted a thrower as I've ever been around,” offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile said on media day. “He's really hardworking. He has obviously some familiarity with the system, which is great. He understands a lot of what coaches are looking for.”
Perhaps UConn’s most highly touted transfer portal addition of the offseason, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger has all the talent to be the Huskies’ starter on Day 1.
Merklinger played two seasons at Tennessee but never rose to a starter. He showed flashes of potential in garbage time minutes last season, like when he completed 9-of-14 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns against East Tennessee State.
The Savannah, Georgia product was a four-star prospect coming out of Calvary Day School. In his senior season, Merklinger completed 71% of his passes and threw for 3,028 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also rushed for 439 yards and 11 scores.
While Merklinger hasn’t gotten many snaps in his short college career, the talent is there. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Merklinger has the physical attributes to be a playmaker in UConn’s offense.
“Jake’s been a really great student of football,” Campanile said. “He's a smooth thrower, smart guy and really sees it well.”
The Huskies will bring back two returners to the QB room, who will be vying for starting snaps.
Redshirt junior Tucker McDonald returns after playing three games last season. The 6-foot-2 QB has impressed Campanile with his experience.
“Tucker is really mature. He's very smart. I think they did a great job coaching him and developing him,” Campanile said. “He's a really smart guy. He's great leader and he’s really prepared.”
Freshman Bo Polston also figures to be in the mix. A three-star prospect out of Indianapolis, Polston originally committed to play for Candle at Toledo before flipping to UConn. Polston missed his final year of high school football with an AC joint separation in his shoulder.
“I’ve seen some good things out of Bo since he's getting healthy, which is really exciting,” Campanile said. “He's a talented guy, he's smart, loves football and he works hard at it.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Here's where UConn football's QB battle stands heading into fall camp
Continue reading...
"I don't have earth-shattering news to report," Candle said at media day on July 23.
That competition is shaping up to be one of the most compelling storylines of UConn’s fall camp. Four quarterbacks –– a returning starter-in-waiting who followed his coach from Toledo, a former blue-chip Tennessee transfer, a returning backup hoping to climb to starter status and an exciting true freshman –– will spend the next month trying to separate themselves before the Huskies open their season.
Offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile, whose opinion will be key in determining a starter, said the staff isn’t interested in rushing the process just to have an answer.
"The sooner you do it, that's probably the best for continuity," Campanile said. "But at the same time, we certainly want to make sure that we're right. We don't want to rush to judgment on something. Guys need to have enough reps to have the opportunity to develop. But it's also from the continuity and leadership standpoint, we got to get to a decision as quickly as we can. But most importantly, we got to make the right decision."
Here's a look at the group of players in the mix to be UConn's starting quarterback this fall:
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Kalieb Osborne is the favorite to be UConn's QB1
While Candle hasn’t named an official QB1, Kalieb Osborne should be one of the clear favorites going into fall camp.
Osborne spent the last two seasons learning Candle’s offense at Toledo and gives the first-year coach someone familiar with his expectations for UConn’s offense.
The Pontiac, Michigan native was a three-star recruit coming out of Mott High School where he threw for 3,532 yards and 34 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,865 yards and 25 scores.
He redshirted his true freshman season and made seven appearances for Toledo last season. His shining moment came in the Boca Raton Bowl, where he completed 17-of-28 passes and threw a touchdown. He also rushed for 77 yards on 18 carries.
A true dual-threat quarterback, Osborne’s ability to extend plays makes him standout in a quarterback battle that includes big name transfers and experienced returners.
“(Kalieb) is a phenomenal athlete. I mean, as best gifted a thrower as I've ever been around,” offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile said on media day. “He's really hardworking. He has obviously some familiarity with the system, which is great. He understands a lot of what coaches are looking for.”
Jake Merklinger also in mix for UConn QB starting job
Perhaps UConn’s most highly touted transfer portal addition of the offseason, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger has all the talent to be the Huskies’ starter on Day 1.
Merklinger played two seasons at Tennessee but never rose to a starter. He showed flashes of potential in garbage time minutes last season, like when he completed 9-of-14 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns against East Tennessee State.
The Savannah, Georgia product was a four-star prospect coming out of Calvary Day School. In his senior season, Merklinger completed 71% of his passes and threw for 3,028 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also rushed for 439 yards and 11 scores.
While Merklinger hasn’t gotten many snaps in his short college career, the talent is there. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Merklinger has the physical attributes to be a playmaker in UConn’s offense.
“Jake’s been a really great student of football,” Campanile said. “He's a smooth thrower, smart guy and really sees it well.”
Who else is in the mix?
The Huskies will bring back two returners to the QB room, who will be vying for starting snaps.
Redshirt junior Tucker McDonald returns after playing three games last season. The 6-foot-2 QB has impressed Campanile with his experience.
“Tucker is really mature. He's very smart. I think they did a great job coaching him and developing him,” Campanile said. “He's a really smart guy. He's great leader and he’s really prepared.”
Freshman Bo Polston also figures to be in the mix. A three-star prospect out of Indianapolis, Polston originally committed to play for Candle at Toledo before flipping to UConn. Polston missed his final year of high school football with an AC joint separation in his shoulder.
“I’ve seen some good things out of Bo since he's getting healthy, which is really exciting,” Campanile said. “He's a talented guy, he's smart, loves football and he works hard at it.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Here's where UConn football's QB battle stands heading into fall camp
Continue reading...
