UConn Football: Meet The Huskies New Playmaker
In an era where scoring is at an all-time high across the college football landscape, the UConn football program has struggled mightily to put points on the board. In fact, they averaged just 15.6 points per game in 2021—only New Mexico was ranked worse at the FBS level (12.2).
While the new coaching staff has primarily brought in younger players with this year’s incoming recruits and transfers, there was one graduate transfer who they felt could immediately resolve some of the Huskies offensive woes.
Enter wide receiver Nigel Fitzgerald.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds on the official school website, Fitzgerald previously played at Old Dominion, where he saw limited action. The Greensboro, North Carolina native had plenty of offers once he hit the transfer portal but decided to choose UConn based on the direction, leadership and some familiarity.
“When [head] coach [Jim] Mora came in, I had the opportunity to talk to him while I was in the transfer portal and I believe in everything he said,” Fitzgerald told UConn Illustrated. “Coach [Nick] Charlton, the way he just does everything, made me want to come here and play. Also, coach [John] Allen, he was my former receiver coach at Old Dominion my freshman year, so that played a big part into it.”
The long, agile Fitzgerald can often be found making acrobatic catches, as he leaps over opposing defenders, flashing the ability to be a severe mismatch, especially inside the red zone.
#UConn Football: WR Noah Fitzgerald has made a handful of nice catches once again during practice today. Look for the #Huskies to utilize him in the red zone as a mismatch weapon. Great blend of size / athleticism / hands. @UConnSI https://t.co/9E6R6qspWZ ♨️ pic.twitter.com/0rYbjNhroi
— Ric Serritella (@RicSerritella) March 31, 2022
“He’s a big-bodied receiver that can go up and high-point the ball,” Mora explained when asked about his impressions on Fitzgerald, acknowledging it took some time to get acclimated to his new surroundings. “I think the first couple of practices he was just kind of getting his feet under him. He looked like he was thinking a lot, the last three practices, he’s making plays.”
One player that Fitzgerald has built a fast rapport with is fellow transfer quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson, as the tandem connected on several passes during the first week of spring ball.
“I love Nigel, he’s just so fun to throw to,” as Roberson described their newfound chemistry. “You know those [tall] guys are just so QB-friendly, you just put the ball anywhere and you know they’re going to grab it…just having that trust with each other.”
As the new dynamic duo continue to get to know each other and their new teammates, they took the initiative to gather during the winter, in order to get more familiar with everyone. Something that Fitzgerald credited Roberson and his leadership mentality for setting up.
“Us being in here working out every day, prior to the spring ball, just building that camaraderie between our team, it’s been very good to learn everyone on the team,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m new here, so I’ve been trying to learn everyone’s name, get to know everybody, where they’re from and all that type of stuff, to be the best teammate that I can be.”
It will clearly take more than one person to change the identity of the Huskies offense but the early return on Fitzgerald is that he will be a big part of the turnaround during year one of ‘The Husky Revolution.’
“He’s a guy you can throw the ball up to high, he can go up and get it.” Mora added. “He’s big. He’s not just tall, he’s big and he’s physical. Our job is to put him in positions where he can do things well. I see his confidence growing every day, every practice, every rep he takes, he makes a big catch and just gets more confidence. That’s a big positive.”
The Huskies hope that momentum propels Fitzgerald into the regular season, as he is poised to emerge as the playmaker that UConn football so desperately needs.
“I felt like this would be a great fit for me. It’s been pretty smooth, everyone here has welcomed me with open arms.”
#UConn Football - Live Look 👀 WR Drills @UConnSI pic.twitter.com/MGqcz5TCq1
— Ric Serritella (@RicSerritella) March 31, 2022
