UConn Football: Spring Ball Standouts – Part II
With one of the youngest rosters at the FBS level, the UConn Football team embarks upon a massive rebuild with a program that has won just 31 games during the past decade and owns a seven-year bowl game drought.
The man entrusted with the responsibility of the Huskies' turnaround is veteran coach Jim L. Mora, who brings an extensive resume, which includes four decades of experience at the NFL and collegiate level. His staff has brought a renowned intensity during practice and has provided newfound hope for the UConn fanbase.
With nearly two weeks of spring ball practice in the books, here’s a look at 10 players who could play a key role for the Huskies during the upcoming 2022 season:
#13 Jacob Drena, Quarterback, So.
The local product doesn’t come with as much fanfare as the other signal-callers on the roster but Drena made a handful of nice throws during practice and seems to provide a dependable, calm demeanor. While he isn’t expected to receive much playing time, his presence should be a positive one inside the locker room.
#0 Will Knight, Running Back, Jr.
For the second consecutive practice session observed, ‘Agent 0’ made a handful of noticeable plays, which flashed his speed and burst. The triple transfer has an opportunity for a fresh start in Storrs and he appears ready to take full advantage of it. Knight is also a capable pass-catcher and could even be utilized in the slot. Read More On Knight
#2 Nigel Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Gr.
Upon first glance, you might mistake the 6-foot-3, 218 pound Fitzgerald as a tight end due to his imposing size and chiseled frame. Fitzgerald stood out both physically and talent-wise as he made several highlight-reel type grabs. His leaping catch on a fade pattern to end practice made both sidelines erupt with pure excitement.
#87 Bo Estes, Tight End, So.
There is some real untapped potential with Estes, who spent last season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. He has laid down some impressive practice film early and beat cornerback Don McClean Jr. on consecutive reps. The first time with speed and agility, as he shook loose to track down an over-the-shoulder grab—the second time winning with a shoulder fake shimmy. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Estes and previously mentioned Brandon Niemenski's lineup in two-tight end sets.
#71 Valentin Senn, Offensive Tackle, rSo.
The Austria native has lined up as the first-team left tackle during the spring and he brings length for days. At 6-foot-7 and 298 pounds, the lean Senn possesses all the tools to be successful but there is plenty of room for his development. Adding some bulk, increasing his flexibility and staying low on a more consistent basis will be key, in order for him to fulfill his potential.
#55 Gamaliel Barboza, Offensive Line, Sr.
While the UTEP transfer has not been running with the ones, you can easily see the value Barboza brings from a depth standpoint on an offensive line that lacks it. His hard-working approach has not gone unnoticed and the San Antonio native owns some serious girth—he is a difficult wide-body blocker to maneuver around. Look for Barboza to serve as a swingman with his ability to back up nearly every position along the line.
#99 Sokoya McDuffie, Defensive Line, rJr.
Could the Huskies have another potential NFL Draft pick along their defensive line? It’s quite possible with the size, strength and athleticism that McDuffie brings. Standing in at 6-foot-5 and nearly 330 pounds, the South Carolina native is coming off a season in which he recorded 28 tackles, including six and a half tackles for loss. He has been lining up at 5-technique (defensive end) in what appears to be trending towards a UConn 3-4 base defensive scheme.
#48 Kevon Jones, Linebacker, Sr.
The hybrid pass-rusher brings a high motor and the ability to blow up the backfield. Jones led the Huskies with eight tackles for a loss in 2021 and had 11 quarterback hurries (two sacks), in addition to displaying active hands (four pass breakups). The new coaching staff will be dealt with the task of teaching Jones to become a finisher and convert those hurries into losses. He can often be seen chasing the quarterback during practice.
#14 CB Malcolm Bell, Defensive Back, rFr.
One of the longer cornerbacks on the roster, Bell showed up in the notebook with several pass deflections, including one pass to the aforementioned Fitzgerald that he swatted out of his hands to create the incompletion. A native of Montreal, Bell redshirted a year ago but now looks poised to be a contributor for the Huskies in 2022.
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