UConn Football: Defense Starts With Man In The Middle
It has been a spring full of soul searching, as the UConn football squad embarks upon a mission to re-make their identity. If the first two weeks of practice are any indication, we know that the 2022 Huskies team will be filled with competition, as first-year head coach Jim L. Mora has installed a relentless, high tempo atmosphere. It would also seem that UConn will need to lean upon their defense as the strength of the team.
At the forefront of those ‘competitive’ and ‘defensive’ traits stands redshirt junior linebacker Jackson Mitchell, who embodies the blue-collar personality which the Huskies team has embraced from their head coach.
“It’s been really competitive, a lot of energy,” Mitchell admitted when asked about the new coaching staff. “We try to keep the energy and keep the consistency. In the past, there were times when we had good energy but then we lost that consistency. We’re trying to find that consistency.”
A big part of finding that consistency will be defensive coordinator Lou Spanos, who served as interim head coach last season and was retained by Mora, whom he has known for 25 years. Spanos has been a big advocate of Mitchell, praising his renowned maturity and understanding of the playbook, while providing some comfort during the coaching staff transition.
“It is helpful because you understand his [Spanos] coaching,” Mitchell stated. “You understand his coaching style so when he talks to you, it’s easy to understand.”
As he gets older, Mitchell takes pride in being a student of the game and team leader. A role that he is familiar with after being named a team captain last season for the Huskies and also earning that distinction during his high school days under Ridgefield head coach Kevin Callahan.
“Young guys don’t know any better, they’re going to get down if they let up a big play,” Mitchell explained when discussing how he can impact the underclassmen on the team. “As an older guy, you kind of gotta keep the team together. You gotta be the glue, a leader for them, to show them you’re going to get better. Things are alright, we’re going to pick guys back up and bring guys along with you.”
A linebacker with natural instincts who constantly shows up around the football, Mitchell made an immediate impact as a freshman—quickly emerging as a starter halfway through his first season. Since taking over the starting role, Mitchell has averaged close to double-digit tackles per game (9.4), racking up 169 total tackles during his 18 games started, as he enters the 2022 campaign. He shed some perspective on how his preparation this offseason has evolved.
“A little more focused,” Mitchell stated. “You only have so many of these [practices] left. As you start getting older, you realize, I have to take advantage of every rep, every play on the field.”
The Huskies will need every ounce from their man in the middle, as he leads the Huskies out of darkness and into ‘The Revolution.’
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