UConn Football Releases First Depth Chart for 2017

Randy Edsall released his first depth chart for the 2017 season on Wednesday afternoon as the Edsall Era 2.0 begins for the UConn Huskies.

Offensively, we already knew that David Pindell would be the starting quarterback and redshirt freshman Cam DeGeorge was starting at right guard. Pindell will be backed up by last year’s starter at quarterback, Bryant Shirreffs.

DeGeorge is the only starter on the offensive line without game experience. Two more freshmen are two listed as backups. Redshirt freshman Nino Leone backs up at left guard while true freshman Ryan Van Demark backs up at right tackle.

At running back, former walk-on Jason Thompson is in an “OR” situation with redshirt freshman Nate Hopkins for backup duties behind Arkeel Newsome. Ja'Kevious Vickers is not listed at all after sharing the running back duties with Hopkins during the spring game.

Redshirt freshman Quayvon Skanes has earned one of the three starting wide receiver spots along with mainstays Hergy Mayala and Tyraiq Beals. Two of the three wide receivers listed in an “OR” situation behind Skanes are former quarterbacks in Tyler Davis and Donovan Williams.

Glastonbury’s redshirt freshman Keyion Dixon, who played QB for GHS, backs up Beals while another redshirt freshman, Mason Donaldson, backs up Mayala.

Defensively, there are no major surprises. With UConn switching to a 3-3-5 this year, there are five defensive back positions instead of the normal two cornerback and two safeties.

Vanderbilt transfer Tre Bell is eligible this year will be one of the starters along with Jamar Summers, Brice McAllister, Anthony Watkins and Windsor’s Tyler Coyle, a redshirt freshman. Coyle will be backed up by a true freshman in Omar Fortt, a Stamford, CT native.

Vontae Diggs is not listed at linebacker since he is out with a knee injury. While he has stated he’s hopeful for a return for the season opener, it’s more than likely he’ll be back for the USF game on September 9. Cam Stapleton will start in his place.

One big area of concern for Edsall was the special teams, particularly at punter and kicker. New freshman punter, Luke Magliozzi, is in an “OR” situation with redshirt freshman Brett Graham. Michael Tarbutt beat out former backup quarterback Will Rishell for the kicker job.

The only true freshman starter on the two-deep is Jordan Swann, who will be one of the two kick returners along with the punt returner. He will also back up Bell at defensive back.

OFFENSE

TACKLE

65 Matt Peart, RSo., 6-7, 300

72 Brendan Vechery, RSr., 6-6, 310

GUARD

77 Trey Rutherford, Sr., 6-5, 312

56 Nino Leone, RFr., 6-6, 316

CENTER

63 Ryan Crozier, RJr., 6-4, 290

75 Daniel Oak, RJr., 6-3, 285

GUARD

70 Cam DeGeorge, RFr., 6-6, 286

73 Steve Hashemi, Sr., 6-6, 293

TACKLE

62 Thomas Hopkins, RSr., 6-6, 300

74 Ryan Van Demark, Fr., 6-7, 265

TIGHT END

86 Alec Bloom, Sr., 6-6, 253 OR

80 Tommy Myers, RSr., 6-5, 245

RUNNING BACK

22 Arkeel Newsome, Sr., 5-7, 180

11 Nate Hopkins, RFr., 6-1, 212 OR

48 Jason Thompson, RJr., 5-7, 182

WIDE RECEIVER

2 Tyraiq Beals, Jr., 6-0, 185

23 Keyion Dixon, RFr., 6-3, 185

WIDE RECEIVER

19 Quayvon Skanes, RFr., 5-11, 175

9 Tyler Davis, RSo., 6-4, 235 OR

8 Aaron McLean, Jr., 6-5, 210 OR

15 Donovan Williams, So., 6-4, 212

WIDE RECEIVER

1 Hergy Mayala, Jr, 6-2, 203

82 Mason Donaldson, RFr., 6-2, 205

QUARTERBACK

5 David Pindell, Jr., 6-0, 192

4 Bryant Shirreffs, RSr., 6-2, 210

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

57 Cole Ormsby, RSr., 6-3, 264

96 James Atkins, RJr., 6-5, 266

DEFENSIVE LINE

92 Folorunso Fatukasi, RSr., 6-4, 303

94 Kevin Murphy, RSo., 6-1, 280

DEFENSIVE LINE

15 Luke Carrezola, Sr., 6-3, 260

50 Sheriden Lawley, RJr., 6-4, 275

LINEBACKER

33 Chris Britton, RJr., 6-1, 225

43 Darrian Beavers, Fr., 6-3, 216

LINEBACKER

11 Junior Joseph, RSr., 6-1, 232

47 Santana Sterling, Jr., 6-0, 223

LINEBACKER

10 Cameron Stapleton, RSr., 6-4, 230

6 Eddie Hahn, RFr., 6-3, 205

DEFENSIVE BACK

29 Anthony Watkins, RJr., 5-10, 197

44 Ian Swenson, Fr., 6-1, 197

DEFENSIVE BACK

21 Jamar Summers, Sr., 6-0, 190

14 Tahj Herring-Wilson, RFr., 6-1, 190

DEFENSIVE BACK

25 Tyler Coyle, RFr., 6-1, 202

27 Omar Fortt, Fr., 6-1, 190

DEFENSIVE BACK

16 Brice McAllister, Sr., 5-11, 189

41 Marshé Terry, RSo., 6-4, 212

DEFENSIVE BACK

1 Tre Bell, RSr., 5-11, 175

30 Jordan Swann, Fr., 5-10, 180

SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKER

40 Michael Tarbutt, RSo., 6-0, 187

16 Will Rishell, RSr., 5-11, 184

PUNTER

99 Luke Magliozzi, Fr., 6-3, 203 OR

81 Brett Graham, RFr., 6-3, 197

LONG SNAPPER

51 Nick Zecchino, So., 6-1, 190

66 Jeffrey Sidebotham, RFr., 6-2, 217

PUNT RETURN

30 Jordan Swann, Fr., 5-10, 180

19 Quayvon Skanes, RFr., 5-11, 175

KICK RETURN

30 Jordan Swann, Fr., 5-10, 180

19 Quayvon Skanes, RFr., 5-11, 175