UConn Football Spring Roster Update
UConn Football made a recent update to its roster to reflect position changes, rising class status, and players no longer with the program.
Here are a few notable takeaways:
Three more scholarship players leave the program
In addition to WRs Dhameer Bradley and Thomas Lucas and QB Tim Boyle, DB Ellis Marder, RB Josh Marriner and OL Kyle Bockeloh are no longer on the roster despite having eligibility remaining after last season. Bradley transferred to Sacred Heart and Boyle to Eastern Kentucky. We'll try to track down where the others end up.
Marriner's departure means that the door has opened a bit more for incoming freshmen Nate Hopkins and Ja'Kevious Vickers to see some playing time in their first year on campus.
Additional players no longer with the program include walk-on WRs Tyrae Sims and James Sullivan, along with walk-on kicker Andrew Paluch.
Position changes
UConn fans were pleasantly surprised when incoming freshman Jay Rose signed with UConn to play the "F" position, a hybrid tight end/h-back role. The new roster reveals that newly-eligible transfer Billy Williams and redshirted freshman Zordan Holman will also be playing at that position. Rose will have some competition to get onto the field, but is likely factor into a rotation with the other two given how he, Williams, and Holman each bring unique skillsets to the table.
Elsewhere on the roster, a few defensive players have moved from cornerback to safety, ostensibly entering the competition to replace Andrew Adams on the field. Obi Melifonwu has a strong hold on one starting safety job, and the corner position is pretty locked up as well with Jhavon Williams and Jamar Summers. Brice McAllister, who committed to UConn as a running back and switched to cornerback last year, has moved to safety after a standout season on special teams this past year. Aaron Garland, a redshirted freshman from Chicago who was one of the highest-rated recruits in the Class of 2015, has also moved to safety after being listed as a corner last year.
Dallas Parker, now a sophomore, has moved from tight end to defensive line. Ian Campbell has moved from tight end to offensive line, and is now listed at 270 pounds.
Loaded at Linebacker
This is more of an observation than an actual change, but holy cow this linebacking crew is strong. Last year's starters Matt Walsh, Luke Carrezola and Junior Joseph will be joined by Florida State transfer E.J. Levenberry and quality depth players in Cameron Stapleton, Jon Hicks, and Vontae Diggs, who have all seen significant time thus far in their careers. Of that group only Walsh and Hicks are seniors.
Behind that group there is a solid stable of youngsters who have shown promise as well, including Luke Sowa, Connor Freeborn, William Richardson, and Nazir Williams.
The defensive line and secondary both have a lot of talent as well. This should be a better defense than last year.