Spring Ball Notebook: Quarterbacks
Projected Spring Game Depth Chart:
#6 Ta'Quan Roberson, rSo, Orange, NJ, 5-11, 203
#8 Steven Krajewski, rJr, Macomb, MI, 6-3, 211
#12 Tyler Phommachanh, rFr, Stratford, CT, 5-10, 182
#13 Jacob Drena, So, Southington, CT, 6-0, 196
When UConn spring ball opened up, Connecticut native Steven Krajewski, who appeared in nine games last season, mostly began with the first-team unit. He would then alter days with Penn State transfer Ta’Quan Roberson, who has made the most impressive throws during the spring but also brings accuracy concerns. Roberson has since seemed to take the stronghold on the position (for now) and has seen the bulk of first-team reps in recent practices. The New Jersey native looks to be in position to start the Spring Game but there are still two weeks to go before then.
The wildcard of the group is dual-threat Tyler Phommachanh, who started three games a year ago but has been limited during the spring, as he rehabs from a torn ACL. While he won’t suit up for the spring game, Phommachanh (who told UConn Illustrated that he is currently about 70-75% recovered from injury), did say that he will be a ‘full go’ participant in time for summer camp.
Spoke to #12 Tyler Phommachanh after practice who said that he feels about 70-75% recovered from his left knee injury. Below (front left) you can see the extent of which he is able to move around. Has made the most of his reps in limited action during the spring. @UConnSI pic.twitter.com/silbVsYR2C
— Ric Serritella (@RicSerritella) April 8, 2022
“Every day is a competition,” UConn head coach Jim L. Mora said during camp. “I think at that position, the earlier you can define how you’re going to work those guys and who's going to be your number one or if you’re going to try and platoon, which I’ve never been a big fan of, the better it is for your football team. But we’re not going to make a decision until it becomes clear.”
Currently omitted from the quarterback room is Northern Arizona via Oregon transfer Cale Millen (son of former NFL signal-caller Hugh Millen), who is still working through paperwork and incoming freshman Zion Turner of powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida), who has won three high school state championships. One could argue that the two best quarterbacks on the roster have not yet arrived.
We will continue to keep tabs on the quarterback competition, which could go down to the wire leading up to the August 27th kickoff at Utah State.
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