STORRS – Wide receiver Geremy Davis offered a big grin, followed by a hearty laugh, after a reporter greeted him as “Captain” at the annual UConn football media day on Thursday.
“As a senior, I just thought I had to take on a leadership role, but to actually have the title is exciting and a privilege and an honor to be picked amongst my peers and coaches,” Davis said.
When coach Bob Diaco introduced UConn’s four captains for the 2014-15 season Thursday, it was no surprise that Davis was the first to enter the meeting room at the Burton Family Football Complex. He was followed by senior cornerback Byron Jones, linebacker Marquise Vann, and center Alex Mateas.
UConn captains: Davis (85), Jones (16), Vann (46), and Mateas (73). (Ken Davis photo)
“The team voted on these guys [Wednesday] night,” Diaco said. “There were other players who received votes. They were overwhelming in the vote. Everyone in the football family had a vote. . . . They’re incredible leaders and again selected by the team. So how could you go wrong?”
On a team that is not blessed with extraordinary individual talent, there should be no argument that these four players deserve the special recognition. Davis and Jones are likely to play in the NFL when their UConn careers are over. Earlier this week, both were named to the Senior Bowl watch list.
Davis may be the most physically gifted player on the team, and he has already earned his degree at UConn. He was the star of last season’s offense, one of the bright spots in a gloomy season. He caught 71 passes for 1,085 yards. Against Memphis on Dec. 6, he had 15 receptions (program record) for 207 yards and a touchdown. He’s also on the Biletnikoff Award watch list for the nation’s top receiver.
Wide receiver Geremy Davis is UConn’s most talented player (Ken Davis photo)
Jones hasn’t missed a game in three seasons. He has 199 career tackles, 14 pass break-ups and six interceptions. Mateas is UConn’s most experienced offensive lineman and has been named to the Rimington Award spring watch list. Vann has played in 20 games over the last three seasons and will start at linebacker. He returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati last season.
Funny note: Jones, Davis and Vann are roommates.
NOTES
Junior Max DeLorenzo, from Berlin, will start at tailback when the Huskies open the season next Friday night against BYU at Rentschler Field (7 p.m., ESPN). But Diaco said he plans to play four tailbacks in the game. DeLorenzo beat out Josh Marriner for the first-team spot. Freshmen Arkeel Newsome and Ron Johnson are in that mix. Newsome is turning some heads in practice. “If I give the ball to Arkeel and no one can tackle him, I’m going to keep giving it to him,” Diaco said. . . . DeLorenzo is excited about the opportunity. “If we can run the ball, we have a great chance of winning,” DeLorenzo said. . . . Diaco said he doesn’t think right tackle Andreas Knappe (lower leg) will be ready to play against BYU. Dalton Gifford was listed as the starter with Thomas Hopkins behind him. . . . David Stevenson, Michael Boland and Tom Rodrick are no longer listed on the roster. Nick Vitale has been been moved from receiver to cornerback. John Green has been moved from receiver to cornerback as well. . . Quarterback Casey Cochran’s throwback mullet hair cut has become a national discussion piece. “Never in a million years would I have imagined that,” he said.
Speak Your Mind