UConn wide receiver Geremy Davis and defensive back Byron Jones will attend the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis Feb. 17-23. The two senior captains entered the 2014 football season as UConn’s top pro prospects and despite injuries and setbacks during the campaign, that did not change. The former Huskies will work out for scouts, coaches and executives at the combine, in addition going through interviews, individual workouts and position drills.
In 46 games from 2011-14, Davis recorded 165 receptions and 2,292 receiving yards, both the most for any player at Connecticut since the Huskies moved to the FBS in 2002. Davis also posted at least one reception in the final 36 games of his career, tying a program record. Overall in UConn history, he is in the top six in receiving yards and receptions.
Jones concluded his career in 2014 after starting 37 games in 43 career games in the secondary over the last four seasons. Playing at safety and cornerback during his time in Storrs, Jones finished with 223 tackles, 18 passes defended and eight interceptions in four years. He posted a career-high 88 tackles while playing at safety during the 2012 season, then set new career-bests with eight pass breakups and three interceptions in 2013 after converting to cornerback.
Despite an injury limiting his 2014 season to seven games, Jones made history on Oct. 12, 2014 at USF. Jones returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown in the contest, becoming the third player in program history with a fumble return and interception return for a score in his career. The fumble recovery for a score also came against South Florida, on Oct. 15, 2011.
VERDUCCI NAMED OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Frank Verducci, a former longtime NFL assistant, has been hired as the offensive coordinator at UConn. The school made the announcement Monday. Verducci replaces Mike Cummings, who will stay on the staff and coach the offensive line.
Verducci has coached 31 years, with stops in the NFL at Cincinnati, Dallas, Buffalo and Cleveland. He also served as an assistant at Northern Illinois, Iowa, Florida, Notre Dame and Northern Iowa, where he served as tight ends coach in 2014.
“Frank brings 31 years of coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball to our UConn football program with a laundry list of personal and team accolades that are very special,” UConn coach Bob Diaco said in a statement. “Another aspect of Frank that separated him from others is his experience on coaching the offensive front. I now have great balance on my offensive staff with three experts in the passing game and two experts in how to attack a defensive front. I thought it was important to have that balance rather than adding someone who specifically knows wide receivers or quarterbacks.
“Frank and I have a long-standing relationship because of the type of person he is. We come from the same coaching tree and we have the same philosophies on the development of young men.”
Verducci was an offensive assistant at Iowa when UConn head coach Bob Diaco played linebacker there in the 1990s. Verducci also will coach the running backs at UConn, 2-10 last season.
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