RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesSTORRS, Conn. — UConn's football team has a good problem.
With just under a month until the Huskies ’ season opener against Lafayette , first-year coach Jason Candle has yet to name a starter at quarterback.
So far, three players have stood out — all of them possessing different skill sets and different cases to be the starter in Week 1.
Jake Merklinger, Kalieb Osborne and Tucker McDonald each could make the argument the job should be theirs, and none of them are shy about competing for it.
But ask any of the three what they want most out of this competition, and the answer has nothing to do with beating the other two.
It’s watching them succeed.
“We’re pretty tight,” Merklinger said after practice on Saturday, Aug. 8. “I think it's a unique dynamic being in a quarterback competition especially during fall camp because you're spending every waking moment with each other. You wake up at 6 a.m. and you're with each other, and then you're with each other all the way, to 8 or 9 p.m. at night. Obviously, we compete with each other, and it's really competitive because we all want the same thing. But at the same time, we like to have fun and be around each other.”
Candle has been impressed with each quarterback’s preparation and willingness to compete, but still believes there’s room for improvement.
“I think all three guys have done a really good job of understanding what we're trying to teach in the meeting room and how we're trying to apply that to the practice field,” Candle said. “Each guy has had some really high moments. All three guys have had some low moments too. So, we’re a long way from home on any on any of those guys and where this thing ends up and where it goes. But I’m encouraged by all three of them.”
Merklinger, a transfer from Tennessee, was a highly touted prospect out of high school. The redshirt sophomore didn’t see the field much in his two seasons at Tennessee, but UConn is hoping to unlock the talent that saw him receive multiple Power 4 offers.
Merklinger said the best attribute he brings is his ability to read defenses. He attributes that skill to the coaching he received growing up as well as having an older brother who played on the offensive line.
“I was blessed with really good coaches from middle school to high school to college, and obviously my older brother, he plays offensive line,” Merklinger said. “So I was always just getting his take on protections, run game situations and things like that. So I'll give shout out to older brother, but also just the coaches.”
Osborne comes to Storrs with familiarity in Candle’s system.
The junior played mostly as a backup last season at Toledo but broke out when he got to start in the Boca Raton Bowl against Louisville.
In that game, Osborne completed 17 of 28 passes for 178 yards and a score. He also rushed for 77 yards on 18 carries.
Offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile said Osborne, a dual-threat quarterback, is 'as gifted a thrower as I've ever been around.'
Osborne believes his time with Candle has helped him get adjusted to the new offensive system at UConn.
“It’s helped a lot when it comes to learning the little things,” he said. “We preach operating and leading every day. I feel like the operation has been getting better with me and knowing where my guys are at and where they’re going to be at.”
McDonald is the wild card of the group. A redshirt freshman who arrived at UConn with less fanfare than Merklinger or Osborne, McDonald has impressed with his poise in the pocket.
Teammates and coaches have pointed to his intangibles and his scrambling ability as his biggest strengths.
When asked what he feels his biggest strength is, McDonald said, “My decision making. My ability to extend plays and knowing where the ball should go most of the time before the snap.”
With fall camp just getting into the swing of things, Candle is taking his time in naming his starter. For Merklinger, Osborne and McDonald, that means more early mornings and longer days together.
“At the end of the day, we just want what’s best,” Osborne said. “Coach is going to make the right decision for the team. So, we just worry about each other and it’s just all competition for the team because this is the ultimate team sport.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: UConn football QB competition features three friends, not rivals
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