UConn signs 17, focusing on players from winning programs

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Coming off its first bowl game in five seasons, UConn concentrated its recruiting efforts on players from winning programs, signing a

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Coming off its first bowl game in five seasons, UConn concentrated its recruiting efforts on players from winning programs, signing a class of 16 on Wednesday.

The Huskies recruits went 140-40 in high school, winning a combined seven state titles, said second-year coach Bob Diaco.

Diaco, whose team improved from 2-10 in his first year to 6-7 last season, said it was important to him to add ''achievers'' as he continues to build the program.

''The cement is still wet, so we need to be careful,'' he said.

Other things to know: UConn's class has four players from Connecticut, and added another two in-state players as walk-ons.

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Top 25 Class: No.

Best in class: Jay Rose, QB, Southington.

Best of the rest: Donovan Williams, QB, Woodbridge, Va.

One that got away: Mike Lonsdorf, OL, Somerville, N.J.

How they'll fit in: UConn has most of the players back from the two-deep chart at the St. Petersburg Bowl. Because of that, most of his recruiting class is expected to redshirt. Diaco says he plans to use Rose, a national recruit who played quarterback at Southington, as what he called an ''F'' back, a tight end-running back hybrid. Diaco called Williams the one true quarterback in the class.