Spring Position Breakdown-RB
As has been the case for nearly the entire FBS history of UConn football (Dan Orlovsky years excluded), the Huskies have been a run-first team. 2023 was no different, as the Huskies had two strong RBs sharing time, reminiscent of the years with Andre Dixon/Donald Brown, in Victor Rosa and Cam Edwards. Edwards came on the scene midseason as UConn unexpectedly lost RB1 and RB2 in Devontae Houston and Brian Brewton, respectively. Brewton has joined Middle Tennessee, while Houston joined East Tennessee State.
Despite only playing in nine games, Edwards led the team in rushing with 618 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry, and 68.67 yards per game, to go along with four TDs. He was also responsible for one of the year’s highlight reels, a leaping catch in the back of the end zone against USF, his only TD catch. The Norwalk native was not on any of the depth charts to start the season, but was a guy that HC Jim Mora wanted to see get more involved. After a 41-7 loss to Duke, "I've been talking to you guys about Cam. I like Cam. I think Cam is tough. I think he digs for yards. We've got to get Cam Edwards on the field more." And he certainly did get on the field more. After carrying thirteen times for 43 yards against Duke, Edwards would notch a season high 22 carries for 149 yards in a 24-21 loss to USF, and would eclipse the 100 yard mark against UMass in the season ending 31-18 victory in Amherst. At 5’10” 205 lbs, he has good size to be a durable every down back, and he will look to increase his workload in 2024.
After a breakout freshman season in 2022, where he led the team with 636 yards and 11 TDs, many UConn fans were confused to hear in the preseason that Rosa was RB3. But Rosa accepted his role, and to no one’s surpise, broke off a huge 71 yard TD run in the season opener against NC State. A celebratory front flip into the end zone was flagged for 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff, plus a late hit put NC State in position to score, a mistake Rosa would learn from. The 99 yard performance would be a season high, as he struggled with some injuries in the middle of the season, leaving the RB room very thin. He would return to form the final two games of the year, accruing 74 and 71 yards against Sacred Heart, and UMass, respectively. He will presumably platoon with Edwards again, and will look to stay healthy.
An interesting pickup in the portal was Jayden “Mel” Brown. Coming to Storrs from FCS Gardner-Webb, Brown is a speedster at 5’9” 170. He totaled 629 yards in 2023, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. His standout game was a 147 yard performance on just ten carries against Charleston Southern. Prior to that game, his season high was a 142 yard game against Eastern Kentucky on 15 carries, including an 88 yard scamper for a TD. With Rosa and Edwards entrenched (or so it would seem), Brown may get on the field in a receiving role, or return role on special teams. The Huskies need his speed, and will need to find a way to get him on the field.
One more interesting addition from the portal is in former four star recruit Durell Robinson. A 6’1” 200 lb redshirt-freshman, Robinson participated in the UA Next Game in 2023 out of national power St Frances Academy, shocking many by committing to Charlotte. Robinson played in Charlotte’s first four games before being lost to a season-ending injury. In his collegiate debut, Robinson ran for 71 yards on 11 carries against South Carolina State, then 49 yards on 14 carries against SMU before his season ended. Robinson averaged 4.2 yards per carry. If he committed to the Huskies out of high school, he would be one of the highest rated recruits in program history. This is a guy with loads of potential, but the RB room is crowded. It’ll be interesting to see how Robinson works his way onto the field.