Spring roster is up

Figured I would pass on that UConn has posted its spring roster on the university's official website. Missing from the list of players is tight end Neil Shortell, a junior-college teammate of starting quarterback Chandler Whitmer and special teamer David Kenney.

A source indicated to me that Shortell is no longer enrolled at UConn while Kenney is expected to compete with the Huskies' track and field team and could opt to head to a FCS program in the fall to play his final season.

With the loss of Shortell that means four of the six tight ends on UConn's 2012 roster will not be returning as John Delahunt, Ryan Griffin and Spencer Parker will graduate or have already graduated. That leaves Sean McQuillan and James Horan as the only returning tight ends.

Two of the three Huskies who were expected to apply for an additional season of eligibility are on the roster. I've been told that defensive end Jesse Joseph was granted a fifth year as was expected while things are looking promising for offensive tackle Jimmy Bennett to receive a sixth season of eligibility. Unfortunately, the news is not as promising for defensive end Teddy Jennings who is appears won't be given another season to play. An interesting note about Joseph is that he is listed as the No. 8 prospect in the scouting bureau for the Canadian Football League draft but have been told that Joseph is very much planning to suit up for the Huskies in the upcoming season.

There are also some number changes including linebacker Graham Stewart going from No. 24 to 2 and safety Obi Melifonwu switching from No. 30 to No. 20. Early enrollees Dhameer Bradley and Noel Thomas have been given No. 1 and 24 respectively and both are listed as receivers.

UConn's spring practice is set to begin on Mar. 11 while the pro day is Mar. 27.

Finally, with the hiring of T.J. Weist as offensive coordinator and receivers coach and Kermit Buggs as running backs coach and special teams coordinator, next up is for head coach Paul Pasqualoni to name a new defensive coordinator. Rumblings are that defensive line coach Hank Hughes is the top candidate and a hire could be announced by next week at the latest.