There is a media teleconference on Sunday, we will know for sure then. If I see another email on mock drafts I am going to actually post it. We know who the main players are. The only intrigue for me is how they are ranked at wide receiver.
As the preseason closes I am more interested right now in the supporting players and how they will respond. We have all read about Dwayne Difton, Zach Frazier, Jordan Todman and the tackles. We know about Jasper Howard and Scott Lutrus as well as Lindsey Witten. But, the season is going to hinge on the other players. He are the players who have received far too little notice considering how important they are.
While the focus has been on Dwayne Difton -- and rightfully so -- Smith has been terrific this camp. At least once a practice he makes a move and a big gainer. He has great hands and is an excellent route runner. Sure, Difton might be the savior, if that's so, then Smith may well be John The Baptist. The kid is competitive and can catch the ball. He was the big frosh wideout a year ago.
Don't sleep on Smith. He will have more catches and yards than Difton this year (who wants that bet?).
We talk about the tackles ad naseum in Dan Ryan, MIke Hicks, and Jimmy Bennett (loss is every big as he is). Mo Petrus gets a lot of talk because he's an interesting story. Why not Zach Hurd? He has been more consistent and effective than any other player on the offensive line and is a terrific guard prospect. He has height, footwork and strength. Now, he isn't a tackle and it isn't glamor. But the Huskies have had some good linemen the last two years and Hurd may be the best of the current bunch. No one worries about Zach Hurd.
Robert McClain hasn't gotten a sniff of talk since Newport. He is only the other starting cornerback. He is a physical corner that is built like a rock. He is terrific in run support and a ball-hawk. Defenses are going to test him first, they know Jasper Howard. If he can hold his own that's a critical element of the defense.
How young is this team that these sophomore tackles are treated like veterans? This is the strength of the line. Both are athletic, quick and strong. If these guys get blown up, the defense can't function. This is where the game is going to be won or lost. If Reyes and Martin progress, this defense has a chance to be awfully good.Ohh, I almost forget the final player...
How does a player this productive and who has played this much get so little mention? Who is Lawrence Wilson? He has 186 tackles in 26 games -- 24 starts -- and also has four interceptions. That's an average 93 tackles per season and he still has two years left? He was the hero of the win at Louisville last year taking a Hunter Cantwell interception back for a game-winning touchdown.
How under the radar is Wilson? I would guess there has been more ink spent on former UConn player Jarrell Miller (who never actually played a down) than on Wilson. Randy Edsall joked that Wilson has uttered 5 words since he got to Storrs which is about four more than have been written about him.
For the record, Wilson is from Tuscaloosa, Ala. and goes by the nickname 'Bama (I don't get it either). He went to Paul Bear Bryant High School and had some CUSA schools after him. He has family in Connecticut and when the Huskies offered he jumped. He moved into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshmen when Ryan Henegan became sick with mono. Wilson has never relinquished the job. He is every bit the staple that Lutrus is and never been challenged. Good player.
Quick notes: Depth chart will be released sometime on Sunday I gather. Everyone relax. It's like a mock NFL Draft the day of the draft...
Would also like to apologize for an error in the last blog post. I confused Casey Turner, a QB from Virginia, with TE prospect Corey Manning. I must have thought Corey was the fourth Manning brother or something. As for Casey Turner? It might be a long long time before I have to write that name in a game story.
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