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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: Connecticut
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  Victor Rosa ran for a pair of touchdowns in the second half as UConn pulled away to beat UMass 27-10 on Friday night. UConn (5-5) has won four of its last five games that includes its first-ever win against Boston College while UMass (1-8) lost its sixth straight. Rosa pushed a group of defenders into the end zone for a 5-yard TD late in the third quarter and then broke one tackle on his way to a 12-yard score midway through the fourth.

Rosa finished with 87 yards rushing on 17 carries. Devontae Houston added 84 yards on the ground that included a 75-yard touchdown run in the first quarter for UConn. Brady Olson tossed a 53-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Sullivan-Brown for UMass that tied the game 10-10 with about seven minutes remaining before halftime. Olson was 19-of-34 passing for 266 yards and threw one interception. Sullivan-Brown made five catches for 124 yards. - UConn/AP College Football


Jr/2026 RB Victor RosaConnecticut
News Source: UConn/AP College Football
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  Zion Turner threw for a touchdown, the UConn defense forced five turnovers and the Huskies beat Boston College 13-3 on Saturday for their first win in the series dating to 1908. BC starter Phil Jurkovec and Emmett Morehead combined to throw three interceptions, helping the Huskies get their first win against the Eagles in 15 tries (1-12-2). Jurkovec started 12 of 19 for 155 yards with two interceptions and was injured trying to avoid a tackle midway through third quarter. He did not return following a brief visit to the sideline medical tent. Morehead went 7 for 16 for 75 yards in his place.

The Huskies, back from their bye week, wasted little time getting on the board as Turner connected with Justin Joly for a 62-yard touchdown on the game's third play. It was UConn's longest play from scrimmage this season, and it was also the second score in as many games for Joly, a freshman tight end. UConn's defense stepped up moments later, stuffing Jurkovec on a quarterback keeper from the Huskies 34. The Huskies promptly took advantage of the short field by extending their lead to 10-0 on a 31-yard field goal by Noe Ruelas. The Huskies got interceptions by Chris Shearin, Durante Jones and Jackson Mitchell. Turner finished 10 of 18 for 173 yards and one touchdown. Ruelas' second field goal, from 43 yards, came off a fumble recovery and gave UConn a 13-3 lead with 6:26 remaining. - UConn/AP College Football


Jr/2026 QB Zion TurnerConnecticut
News Source: UConn/AP College Football
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  OCT 24 BIG SOUTH FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Gardner-Webb running back Jayden Brown (Lithonia, Ga.) rushed 14 times for a career-high 92 yards with a score at Charleston Southern. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry, and his 44-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter put Gardner-Webb ahead, 20-7. - Big South Football

Jr/2026 RB Jayden BrownConnecticut
News Source: Big South Football
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  OCT 10 BIG SOUTH FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Gardner-Webb running back Jayden Brown (Lithonia, Ga.) scored a pair of second-half touchdowns in Gardner-Webb's win at Robert Morris. He posted a career-high 85 yards on 10 carries, which featured a 7-yard scoring run in the third quarter and a 41-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: NaQuari Rogers (Campbell). - Big South Football

Jr/2026 RB Jayden BrownConnecticut
News Source: Big South Football
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  Amid all the turmoil and uncertainty within the UConn football team in the last two seasons, Jackson Mitchell has been the lifeblood as the program rebuilds. The Ridgefield native has been a starting linebacker for the Huskies since his freshman year in 2019 and has seen his role transition into a leader by example. This season, he leads the team with 66 total tackles, 20 more than anyone else on the roster. Mitchell has forced and recovered a fumble and has recorded four tackles for losses that resulted in 18 negative yards. Mitchell's performance this season is made even more impressive by the fact that he has been dealing with a hand injury since the spring.

UConn coach Jim Mora said Tuesday that Mitchell had thumb surgery to repair a fracture in the spring and still has a screw in his thumb. "I don't know how many players in college football would play through that," Mora said. "I don't think anyone could have faulted Jackson if he decided to let it heal, but he didn't. He decided to play, so he has been practicing and playing with a splint on." The injury had not fully healed by the time the season began, so doctors were unable to remove the screw. Mitchell decided he was going to play anyway. "He has a screw in there… they weren't able to take it out because it hadn't healed well enough by the time the season started," Mora said. "So, he said 'Okay, put a brace on it and let's go'. You have to respect that." Mitchell has paced the defense, which Mora says have been steadily improving for UConn at the midway point in the season. "He takes every snap, he never comes out," Mora said. 'He is on punt, he is involved with special teams, and he's just has that warrior spirit. He is not going to be denied." - CT Post


Sr/2024 ILB Jackson MitchellConnecticut
News Source: CT Post
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  Zion Turner passed for two touchdowns in his first start, Nathan Carter rushed for 123 yards and a score and UConn cruised past FCS member Central Connecticut 28-3 on Saturday for coach Jim Mora's first victory with the Huskies. In last week's 31-20 loss to Utah State, the freshman Turner came in after just 10 offensive plays after Ta'Quan Roberson left with a knee injury. Turner's first pass resulted in an interception. Things were difference against CCSU. Carter, who rushed for a career-high 190 yards last week, led the way on the ground as UConn (1-1) rushed for 274 yards and held CCSU to 242 total yards.

Brian Brewton had 10 of UConn's 54 carries and rushed for 62 yards, and Victor Rosa added his first career touchdown on the ground. Romelo Williams, who threw for 1,452 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, was 16-of-30 passing for 164 yards with an interception for CCSU (0-1), which is coming off a 4-7 season in 2021. Malik Thomas rushed for 63 yards on five carries and Kyren Petteway caught six passes for 61 yards. Mora, the former NFL and UCLA coach is trying to rebuild a program that didn't play football in 2020 because of the pandemic, went 1-11 a year ago and have won just four games since the end of the 2017 season. - Connecticut/AP College Football


Jr/2026 QB Zion TurnerConnecticut
News Source: Connecticut/AP College Football
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  2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Robert Burns, UConn, Sr., RB,...Burns (Miami, Fla.), a UConn graduate student pursuing his master's degree in business administration, played in 10 games for the Huskies last year, rushing for 45 yards and returning three kicks for 58 yards. Off the field, Burns is the co-founder of Second Spoon, a non-profit organization that provides excess food from college dining halls to those in need. He is one of 115 college players on the watch list. - UConn Football

rSr/2023 RB Robert BurnsConnecticut
News Source: UConn Football
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  UConn named redshirt sophomore Ta'Quan Roberson as its starting quarterback on Saturday, seven hours ahead of the Huskies' season opener at Utah State. Roberson transferred to UConn from Penn State in December 2021, shortly after head coach Jim Mora was hired. A dual-threat, Roberson attempted 29 passes over two seasons at Penn State (2019 and 2021), completing 11 for 85 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The only quarterback on campus and healthy enough to practice in the spring, Roberson quickly impressed Mora and the new UConn staff.

The decision for him to start, however, was one that Mora kept "close to the vest," as he said Aug. 17. To begin preseason camp, reps with the first-team offense were split almost evenly between Roberson and the other three rostered quarterbacks: true freshman Zion Turner, redshirt freshman Tyler Phommachanh and redshirt sophomore Cale Millen, who transferred from FCS Northern Arizona. As the team shifted to game-prep mode, Roberson emerged and received a majority of snaps with the starters. - Hartford Courant


rSr/2025 QB TaQuan RobersonConnecticut
News Source: Hartford Courant
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  Eriq Gilyard sees himself as the kind of person who looks for a challenge, and when he entered the transfer portal last year he found one worth exploring. Gilyard, whose college football career began at UCF in 2018, said he considered the likes of SMU, Michigan State, TCU and Arizona State. He acknowledged Wednesday that, in what felt like a whirlwind experience, there were a couple of others he couldn't remember. But ultimately, in part due to conversations he had with Kansas head coach Lance Leipold, Gilyard chose the Jayhawks.

In doing so, Gilyard jumped to the Power Five level and a Big 12 Conference program in the midst of a rebuild. He joined a group he's confident can have success in 2022. And as the redshirt senior linebacker plays out the year, he'll also look to make more of a name for himself as his eyes look to a potentially brighter future. "This is for me, building my name beyond UCF," said Gilyard, who had only positive things to say about those he met at his previous stop. "So, I did what I did at UCF, and that was great, but I kind of want to build a separate legacy here. And, hopefully, that leads me to the (NFL)." - Topeka Capital Journal


rSr/2024 ILB Eriq GilyardConnecticut
News Source: Topeka Capital Journal
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  UConn junior defensive lineman Eric Watts walked to practice Tuesday with his new teammate, University of Kentucky transfer Marquez Bembry. He always does. They work out together and push each other. They're roommates. Bembry, who will likely join forces with last year's leading tackler Jackson Mitchell at linebacker, totaled 37 tackles in 24 games played at Kentucky and established himself as a leader quickly after joining the team in January. "He's doing what he needs to do and you can tell the younger guys look up to him," Watts said. "He's trying to help everybody. He helps me, and if he needs my help, I help him."

One of the oldest and longest-tenured college football players on UConn's roster, Bembry played one season at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, after high school. He recorded 36 tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2018, helping the Bobcats to a 10-2 record. Bembry then transferred and played three seasons at Kentucky, choosing the Wildcats over Ole Miss and Tennessee. Bembry is one of several transfers that UConn hopes will give them a boost this season after the Huskies ranked near the bottom of the FBS in several statistics last year, including rushing and passing yards allowed per game as well as points allowed per game. - Hartford Courant


rSr/2023 OLB Marquez BembryConnecticut
News Source: Hartford Courant
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  2022 PRESEASON PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD WATCHLIST: Tommy Zozus, UConn,...Zozus, who transferred to UConn from Florida International University, has appeared in 31 college football games as a long snapper. As a veteran member of the Huskies' special team unit, he brings valuable experience to a UConn team full of up-and-coming talent in college football. His current role has allowed him to truly appreciate the experience. - Connecticut Football

rSr/2023 LS Tommy ZozusConnecticut
News Source: Connecticut Football
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  2022 PRESEASON ALL-CAA CONFERENCE HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES/MEDIA): Noah Plack, S, Delaware,...All-CAA Second Team in 2021...Appeared and started in eight games after returning from injury...Ranked fourth on the team with 57 tackles...Also finished with 0.5 TFL, two fumble recoveries and three pass breakups. - Delaware Football

rSr/2024 OLB Noah PlackConnecticut
News Source: Delaware Football
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  Steven Krajewski, UConn's primary signal caller in 2021, transferred to Georgia State May 17, leaving the position wide open. Ta'Quan Roberson, who transferred to UConn from Penn State in December, seems to be the favorite for the job in a QB room packed with transfers. Roberson, a redshirt junior, played in three games at Penn State last year and completed 11 of 28 passes for 85 yards. He also ran the ball 12 times for 24 yards. "I knew who he was, because I followed recruiting," Mora told The Courant in February. "A four-star kid out of one of the best high school programs in the country. When he popped in the portal, this was a guy we needed to try to connect with immediately. We were able to get him in here and show him what the plan would be for him and, I'll tell you, he's a really great kid. He's impressive."

Roberson isn't the only new face in the QB room. The list also includes Zion Turner, a decorated three-star from St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Cale Millen, another three-star who committed to Oregon out of high school before transferring to FCS Northern Arizona last year. Tyler Phommachanh will compete for the starting job after starting three games in 2021 before a season-ending injury. - Hartford Courant


rSr/2025 QB TaQuan RobersonConnecticut
News Source: Hartford Courant
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  2022 PRESEASON BUTKUS AWARD WATCHLIST: Jackson Mitchell, UConn,...Mitchell (Ridgefield, Conn.) started all 12 games for the Huskies last season, and led the team in tackles, totaling 120 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and also recorded three forced fumbles, one interception and two pass breakups. The UConn junior ranked among the top 15 players in the country in total tackles, he ranked fourth in assisted tackles (73), and his 10.0 tackles per game ranked 11th in the nation. Mitchell's top games of the 2021 season including a career-high 16 tackles at Army and 15 tackles and a half-sack against Purdue. He also recorded 14 tackles and added a pass breakup against Holy Cross. - UConn Football

Sr/2024 ILB Jackson MitchellConnecticut
News Source: UConn Football
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  Raashaan Wilkins Jr. played in all 12 games last fall at Vanderbilt and started 10 of them while finishing the season with 13 tackles. That came after he started all nine games in 2020 - one of six Commodores to do so - and posted eight tackles, including two for loss, and a fumble recovery. He still hit the transfer portal after last season and committed to Illinois in April, to complete his college football journey close to home. Wilkins' path to Illinois had its twists and turns.

Champaign is the Chicago native's fourth stop, and defensive tackle wasn't his first position. He was a tight end at Wisconsin-Stevens Point before transferring to Monterey Peninsula College (Calif.) and switching positions, before another transfer to Vanderbilt. Wilkins' final move comes with a real chance at Illinois. Somebody has to replace Roderick Perry II on the Illini defensive line, and Wilkins has the size and experience to do just that. - News Gazette Tribune


rSr/2024 DT Raashaan Wilkins Jr.Connecticut
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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