Practice starts today. Should be interesting. I will give an update when I get back. Every practice is open to the media and Edsall will speak today and every Saturday. On other Tuesdays and Thursdays a designated assistant will be available. It should be a good chance to get some alternate and fresh voices talking about the team.
Here are a couple of position battles I will be watching closely: I will expand on them a little later.
Wide receiver
Wide receiver is the big worry spot for the Huskies which
struggled with production at the position even before the transfer of leading
receiver Terrence Jeffers. Brad Kanuch and D.J. Hernandez are the most
experienced receivers returning. After that, it is all hands on deck. Senior
Ellis Gaulden was the Big East high jump champion and is poised to expand his
role after missing almost two years with injuries. Kashif Moore, a freshmen who
sat out as a redshirt, will be one to watch this spring with his blinding speed
and playmaking ability. Edsall is looking for six receivers to go into summer
camp with and it will take him all spring to find it.
Offensive line
The offensive line is in very good shape with four of five
starters returning. The battle here will
be with depth as freshmen Mo Petrus, Mike Ryan, and Gary Bardzak will push for
time on the line. Mike Hicks has moved to guard fulltime while Dan Ryan and
Will Beatty are at tackle with Keith Gray at center.
Secondary
The secondary is so loaded Edsall moved three year starter at
safety Dahana Deleston to outside linebacker. Darius Butler is entrenched at
one corner, but the other corner replacing Tyvon Branch will be immensely
competitive. Jasper Howard, Robert McClain, Jameson Davis, Terry Baltimore and
Garry Wilburn all vying for the job opposite Butler.
At safety Robert Vaughn returns and replacing Deleston will be a handful of
prospects led by freshmen Aaron Bagsby, Kijuan Dabney, John Jean-Louis and junior
Glen Mourning. Edsall, a former defensive backs coach of the Jacksonville
Jaguars, has a cupboard full of athletes ready to play the position.
Quarterback
The job is Lorenzen’s – case closed. But the spring will
give the first extended look at Notre Dame transfer Zach Fraser. Fraser
impressed as the scout team quarterback last year and with Lorenzen entering
his final year of eligibility looks to be the heir apparent. Cody Endres will
have something to say about that however. There is no quarterback battle, but
considering how much the future rests on the position the development here is
critical.
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