Football: Quarterback No Longer Problem - But Surplus

Since Dan Orlovsky left UConn for the NFL draft as a fifth-round pick in 2005, the quarterback position has been issue after issue.

Football: Quarterback No Longer Problem - But Surplus

Since Dan Orlovsky left UConn for the NFL draft as a fifth-round pick in 2005, the quarterback position has been issue after issue. Tyler Lorenzen had a nice two-year run from 2007 to 2008, going a combined 16-6. Zach Fraser went 14-5 combined from 2009 to 2010 following Lorenzen. Outside of those two quarterbacks, the program has had a never-ending search to find a signal-caller they can rely on. Not including those four seasons, the Huskies have been a combined 35-98 since Orlovsky departed. The 2021 season was more of the same with Tyler Phommachanh, Steve Krajewski, Jacob Drena and Jack Zergiotis all playing during the team’s 12 games.

Zergiotis has transferred to Merrimack College to continue his career, while Krajewski, Drena, and Phommachanh are still with the team. All three players have earned a shot to compete to be the team’s starting quarterback, though the new coaching staff has brought in some stiff competition. Let’s take a look at some of the new faces that could be calling the shots.

Ta’Quan Roberson

Roberson is a former 4-star recruit and the No.8 ranked dual-threat quarterback from the 2018 recruiting class. He has a strong arm and isn’t afraid to throw into tight windows. Roberson keeps defenses honest with how well he moves in the pocket and as a runner. He lost the backup quarterback job at Penn State last year with the coaching staff saying he still needs refinement. Who better than Mora to help him with that?

Zion Turner

Turner is one of the top recruits More has been able to convince to join the Huskies for the rejuvenation of the program. He is a 3-star recruit from Fort Lauderdale who is a three-time state champion. During his three title seasons, Turner accounted for 90 touchdowns without throwing more than seven interceptions during any season. Turner has a quick release with excellent arm strength. He has an accurate deep ball and is very efficient with the football. He is equally as good with his feet, showing great speed and elusiveness in the open field. Turner had scholarship offers from Miami, LSU, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Temple, Arkansas, Coastal Carolina and Florida International. His reasoning for choosing UConn was because of how good Mora is getting the most out of his quarterbacks.

Cale Millen

Millen is the son of former NFL quarterback Hugh Millen, so the pedigree is there. He originally signed with Oregon as a freshman before he transferred to Northern Arizona. Millen has terrific size at 6-foot-4. He is a mobile quarterback that is difficult to take down in the open field because of his size. Millen is best when running a west coast style offense with quick-hitting throws in rhythm. Millen has good mechanics, though questionable decision-making. Jim Mora is a quarterback’s dream for a head coach and can get the best out of his leaders.

UConn has had a tough time finding quarterback leadership for their team since Orlovsky left for the NFL. Mora and his staff have put together a nice group of youngsters to compete for the starting job heading to the 2022 season. The incumbents will not have a leg up, with Mora likely implementing a new offensive scheme. It looks like it will be an open competition come training camp, and there is incredible excited to see how it pans out.