027-082-seasonpreview 8/3/04 1:32 PM Page 74 85 DAVID SANCHEZ WR 5-8 176 So. 3rd Windsor, CT Enfield SANCHEZ S CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS PR Yds. Avg. TD Long 2003 11/0 34 146 4.3 0 16 SANCHEZ S CAREER HIGHS Most PR, game: 6, at Buffalo, 9/20/03 Most PR yardage, game: 38, vs. Lehigh, 10/4/03 Longest Punt Return: 16, 2x last at Va. Tech, 9/27/03 A redshirt sophomore walk-on who will look to maintain his role as the team s top punt returner while also competing for playing time at wide receiver. 2003: Served as a punt returner in 11 of 12 games (all but Boston College) Returned 34 punts on the year for 146 yards The 34 punt returns ties for the second best seasonal total in UConn history Had his career-long return of 16 yards at Virginia Tech (Sept. 27) Made a career high six punt returns at Buffalo (Sept. 20) for 33 yards Returned five punts for 24 yards in his collegiate debut against Indiana (Aug. 30). 2002: Redshirted Named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Florida Atlantic game. High School: Four-year letterwinner in football and captain his senior year Holds the Connecticut state record for kick return yards in a season and his career Named All-Conference his junior and senior years, and also All- Hartford Courant and All-State his senior year Named the MVP of the 2002 Connecticut vs. Rhode Island All-Star game after recording 198 receiving yards Member of the Honor Society. Personal Profile: David Lee Sanchez Born on April 1, 1984 An exploratory major. David SANCHEZ 74
027-082-seasonpreview 8/3/04 1:32 PM Page 75 85 AARON SMITH WR 6-5 210 Jr. 2nd Washington, DC O Neill/Maryland A junior who transferred to Connecticut from Maryland and will add depth at wide receiver. 2003: Worked with the scout team after transferring from Maryland Named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Akron game (Oct. 25). 2002: Spent the year with Maryland before transferring to the Huskies Appeared in four games for the Terrapins, including a 30-3 Chickfil-A Peach Bowl win over Tennessee Did not make any catches on the year. 2001: Redshirted. High School: Lettered three years in football and basketball and was a captain of both teams Named All-Section for both football and basketball and was named third team All-State in basketball Was a first-team Class C pick after totaling 1,450 all-purpose yards and scoring 13 touchdowns Also led the team in tackles as a senior and recorded five interceptions. Personal Profile: Aaron Louis Smith Born on October 29, 1983 A political science major. 27 JAHI SMITH CB 5-11 185 So. 2nd Suitland, MD Suitland A true sophomore who hopes to crack the cornerback rotation this fall while maintaining his status as a top special teams player. 2003: Appeared in the final 10 games, mainly on special teams but also as a reserve defensive back Recorded five tackles on the year, three of them coming on special teams Made two tackles, including his lone solo stop of the season, against Lehigh (Oct. 4) Had assisted tackles against Buffalo (Sept. 20), Western Michigan (Nov. 1) and Wake Forest (Nov. 15). High School: Honorable mention all-metro by The Washington Post...Was named All-Prince George s County and all-league as a senior...a three-year starter and four-year letterman...also ran track as a freshman and sophomore and was a regional finalist in the indoor 55 meters as a sophomore...honor Roll student. Personal Profile: Jahi Sankai Smith Born on December 2, 1984 An exploratory major. Jahi SMITH SMITH S CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS UT AT TT SKS TTFL INT PBU 2003 10/0 1 4 5 0 0 0 0 75
027-082-seasonpreview 8/3/04 1:32 PM Page 76 47 TAURIEN SOWELL LB 6-1 232 Jr. 4th Bridgeport, CT Bridgeport Central 84 BRIAN SPARKS WR 6-0 188 Sr. 4th Plainville, CT Plainville A redshirt junior who is presently slated to be the top reserve at weakside linebacker. Career: Has appeared in 22 games as a linebacker and on special teams, making one start Has made 30 career tackles, 23 of them solos, with three tackles for loss. 2003: Appeared in all 12 games, making his first career start at Army (Sept. 6) Made 26 tackles on the season, four of them coming on special teams, with three sacks Had three tackles in the win over Lehigh (Oct. 4) Showed great signs of a bright future during his start at Army, leading UConn in four major categories (14 tackles, 12 solos, three TFLs and three pass break-ups) against the Cadets Recorded five tackles on opening day against Indiana (Aug. 30). 2002: Played in the first 10 games of the season on special teams and as a reserve linebacker...had four tackles on the year (three solo) Made a statement in the 2003 spring game, recording nine tackles to lead the blue team, including three tackles for loss, one of them a sack. 2001: Redshirted...Named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the games with Virginia Tech and Eastern Michigan. High School: Bridgeport Central High School in Bridgeport, Conn....Fouryear letterwinner for coach Dave Cadelina...All-State, first-team All-Conference, All-Connecticut Post selection. Personal Profile: Taurien Lamarr Sowell...Born on June 29, 1983...A sociology major. A senior walk-on who had a strong spring and stands poised to break into the wide receiver rotation. 2003: Played in seven games on special teams, making his collegiate debut at Buffalo (Sept. 20). 2002: Did not see any game action. 2001: Redshirted. 2000: Attended Worcester Polytechnic but did not play football for the Engineers. High School: Lettered three years apiece in football and baseball, captained both teams as a senior Was named All-Conference as a wide receiver in 1998 and 1999 while also earning the All-Conference punting nod as a senior in SOWELL S CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS UT AT TT SKS TTFL INT PBU 2002 10/0 3 1 4 0 0 0 0 2003 12/1 20 6 26 0 3-6 0 4 Total 22/1 23 7 30 0 3-6 0 4 SOWELL S CAREER HIGHS Most Tackles, game: 14, at Army, 9/6/03 Most TFL, game: 3, at Army, 9/6/03 Taurien SOWELL 76
027-082-seasonpreview 8/3/04 1:32 PM Page 77 1999 Named All-Conference in baseball as a senior, helping Plainville to the state championship Also earned one letter in wrestling Member of both the Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society Hartford Courant All- Academic. Personal Profile: Brian Mitchell Sparks Born on January 11, 1982 An accounting major. 4 HAROLD STANBACK DE 6-2 219 Fr. 2nd Temple Hills, MD Bishop McNamara A redshirt freshman who will figure in the two-deep at defensive end. 2003: Redshirted Named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Kent State game (Oct. 18). High School: A consensus first-team all-state choice in 2002 and an honorable mention all-state selection as a junior...named all-metro by The Washington Post...A three-time all-conference pick at defensive end...had 89 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior en route to the school s career sack record...a twoway starter at both fullback and defensive end...team captain...also played basketball during his freshman and sophomore years. Personal Profile: Harold Stanback Born on August 23, 1985 An exploratory major. 10 MARVIN TAYLOR FS 6-0 181 Fr. 2nd New Brunswick, NJ New Brunswick A redshirt freshman who will battle for the team s punt returning duties along with a regular role in the secondary. 2003: Redshirted. High School: Named to the Gannett New Jersey All-State first team as a defensive back...named offensive player of the year by the Home News Tribune as a quarterback...combining his junior and senior seasons, had nine interceptions on defense and offensively passed for 2,664 yards while rushing for 1,576...Team went 11-1 his senior year, losing by one point in the Central Group II Championship Game...Also named all-state in basketball as a junior, averaging 21 points per game. Personal profile: Marvin Dujuan Taylor Born on September 1, 1984 An exploratory major. GRAIG 94 VICIDOMINO K 6-2 196 So. 2nd Seymour, CT Seymour A true sophomore walk-on who will compete for the starting place kicking position after seeing limited playing time in that role last fall. 2003: Saw limited action as the field goal specialist, debuting against Virginia Tech and starting against Lehigh Was 2-for-3 on extra point attempts and 0-for-2 on field goal tries, missing from 33 yards and 40 yards. High School: Lettered two years in football and four years in baseball Was named All-Area, All-Valley and All-State and appeared in consecutive State Championship games Was a national honors society student and member of the student council. Personal Profile: Graig John Vicidomino Born on March 14, 1985 An exploratory major. PEDER 14 VON HARTEN QB 6-4 212 So. 2nd Marlboro, NJ Marlboro/Monmouth A redshirt sophomore walk-on who will add depth at quarterback 2003: Worked with the scout team after transferring from Monmouth Named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Rutgers game (Nov. 8). 2002: Was a member of the Monmouth football team. High School: Three-year letter winner in football Threw for 2,172 yards, 18 touchdowns as a senior Earned All-Shore Conference, All- District and All-State as a senior Helped guide the Mustangs to a state playoff and a Class A North title Also lettered in baseball as an outfielder, hitting.396 as a senior Earned All-District honors. Personal Profile: Peder Kurt von Harten The youngest of seven children Born on June 23, 1984 An exploratory major. 77
027-082-seasonpreview 8/3/04 1:32 PM Page 78 59 JASON WARD DE 6-3 259 So. 3rd St. Hippolyte, QC John Abbott 80 JASON WILLIAMS WR 6-0 178 Jr. 4th McKeesport, PA McKeesport A redshirt sophomore who will play a role at defensive end. 2003: Appeared in two games, seeing action against Buffalo (Sept. 20) and Lehigh (Oct. 4) Recorded his first career tackle, an assist, against Lehigh. 2002: Redshirted. High School: Named first-team All-Canada, first-team All-District and first-team All-Montreal Area...Named Defensive Lineman of the Year Helped John Abbott to the provincial championship game. Personal Profile: Jason Derek Ward Born on July 1, 1984 A mechanical engineering major. A speedy redshirt junior who has maintained a key role in the wide receiver rotation and served as UConn s kickoff returner. JON 31 WHOLLEY TB 5-9 203 Sr. 4th Southington, CT Southington/Wagner College A senior walk-on who will add depth to the backfield and help the Huskies on special teams. 2003: Appeared in six games on special teams Made his first career tackle at Buffalo (Sept. 20). 2002: Played in his first game at UConn against Florida Atlantic (Nov. 2), rushing four times for 15 yards Also played against Kent State (Nov. 9) Named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week before the Miami game. 2001: Redshirted Named the Co-Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Middle Tennessee game. 2000: Appeared in three games for Wagner College, carrying the ball eight times for 17 yards. High School: Named All-Conference and All-Hartford Courant as a senior in 1999 Holds the school record for rushing yards in a game with 281 Part of the 11-1 state championship team as a junior Also ran track for three years. Personal Profile: Jonathan Joseph Wholley Born on August 18, 1981 A political science major. Jason WILLIAMS 78
027-082-seasonpreview 8/3/04 1:32 PM Page 79 Career: Has made 42 receptions in his 24 career games (five starts), good for 493 yards and three touchdowns. 2003: Played in all 12 games with starts against Kent State and Akron when UConn opened those games with four wide receivers Made 19 catches for 139 yards and returned 10 kickoffs for 239 yards Contributed three catches for 29 yards to UConn s win over Western Michigan (Nov. 1) Tied his season high by making four catches at Kent State (Oct. 18) Had three catches for 27 yards at Virginia Tech (Sept. 27) Had an 82-yard kickoff return at Buffalo (Sept. 20), UConn s longest since 1998, helping earn him UConn s special teams game ball Made his season debut as a kick returner against Boston College (Sept. 13) Made four short grabs at Army (Sept. 6) for 17 yards. 2002: Appeared in all 12 games with starts against Ball State, Miami and Temple...The most productive true backup of the wide receiver group, catching 23 passes for 354 yards...had a 53-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter to help seal the Iowa State win (Nov. 23)...Had an 18-yard TD catch at Navy (Nov. 16)...Two catches for a career-high 64 yards against Florida Atlantic (Nov. 2)...Had a 53-yard catch at Vanderbilt (Oct. 26)...Tied for the team lead with five catches against Ball State (Sept. 28), good for 47 yards...his 26-yard TD reception helped jump start UConn s rally against Ohio (Sept. 21)...Had three catches for 40 yards at Buffalo (Sept. 14)...Had three catches for 24 yards at BC (Aug. 31) Worked out with the indoor track team during the winter and placed seventh in the 55 meters at the BIG EAST Championship. 2001: Redshirted...Named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Utah State game. High School: McKeesport High School in McKeesport, Pa....Three year letter winner for coach George Smith...First-team All-Conference and first-team All-District pick...was a finalist for selection to the Big 33 all-star game...in track, was part of the 4x100 meter relay state championship team High school teammate of fellow Husky Kinnan Herriott. Personal Profile: Jason C. Williams...Born on September 8, 1981...A human development and family studies major. WILLIAMS CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Rec. Yds. TD PR Yds. Avg. TD 2002 12/3 23 354 3 1 32 0 2003 12/2 19 139 0 10 239 0 Totals 24/5 42 493 3 11 271 0 WILLIAMS CAREER HIGHS Most Receptions: 5, vs. Ball State, 9/28/02 Most Rec. Yds, game: 64, vs. Fla. Atlantic, 11/2/02 Most TD rec., game: 1, 3x, last at Iowa St., 11/23/02 Longest Pass Rec.: 53, 2x, last at Iowa St., 11/23/02 Most KR, game: 4, at Va. Tech, 9/27/03 Most KR Yards, game: 82, at Buffalo, 9/20/03 Longest KR, game: 82, at Buffalo, 9/20/03 Most Carries, game: 1, 2x, last vs. BC, 9/13/03 Most Rush Yards, game: 20, at Army, 9/6/03 Longest Run: 20, at Army, 9/6/03 19 JERMELL WILLIAMS QB 6-2 187 Jr. 4th Hollywood, FL McArthur A redshirt junior who will battle for the top backup quarterback position. Career: Has played in seven games, completing 12 of 22 passes (54.5%) for 226 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a 151.49 efficiency rating Also has 19 career carries for 31 yards with one touchdown. 2003: Appeared in three games, seeing action against Army (Sept. 6), Buffalo (Sept. 20) and Lehigh (Oct. 4) as a backup quarterback Completed four of his seven passes for 90 yards for a 165.14 efficiency rating with all of his passing coming in the Buffalo game Also had six carries for a total loss of three yards. 2002: Played in four games (Ball State, Miami, Florida Atlantic and Kent State) as a backup quarterback...was 8-of-15 on the year for 136 yards with one touchdown and a team-best 151.49 efficiency rating...also gained 34 yards on 13 rushes, including a touchdown...hit on four of his five passes against Kent State (Nov. 9) for 72 yards with his first touchdown pass, a 28-yard strike to Joe Villapiano...Was four-for-nine for 64 yards against Florida Atlantic (Nov. 2) while gaining 22 yards on six carries, including a one-yard touchdown sneak. 2001: Redshirted...Named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Utah State game. High School: McArthur High School in Hollywood, Fla....Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at quarterback...three-time first-team All-Digest performer...starting quarterback in the 2000 Broward County All-Star game and 2001 Broward-Dade All-Star game...holds school records for touchdown passes (six) and yards (397) in a game...had 2,000 passing yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior...had 4,500 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in his career. Personal Profile: Jermell Clement Williams...Born on December 24, 1982...An anthropology major. JERMELL WILLIAMS CAREER STATISTICS YEAR GP/GS ATT CMP PCT YDS TD INT EFF 2002 4/0 15 8 53.3 136 1 0 151.49 2003 3/0 7 4 57.1 90 0 0 165.14 Totals 7/0 22 12 54.5 226 1 0 155.84 JERMELL WILLIAMS CAREER HIGHS Most Attempts, game: 9 vs. Fla. Atlantic, 11/2/02 Most Completions, game: 4, Twice Most Yards, game: 72 vs. Kent State, 11/9/02 Most Touchdown Passes, game: 1 vs. Kent State, 11/9/02 Longest Pass: 33 vs. Kent State, 11/9/02 Most Carries, game: 3, Twice Most Rush Yards, game: 13 at Miami, 10/5/02 Longest Run: 12 at Miami, 10/5/02 79
027-082-seasonpreview 8/3/04 1:32 PM Page 80 83 BRANDON YOUNG WR 6-0 197 Jr. 3rd Morganza, MD Hargrave (VA) Military Academy A true junior who has been a prominent figure in the wide receiver rotation the past two seasons and has also been a punt and kickoff returner on occasion Will continue to return kickoffs in 2004 and maintain his position as one of the team s top receivers. Career: Has appeared in 21 career games, making 50 receptions for 668 yards with six TDs while averaging 21.2 yards per kickoff return and 6.5 yards per punt return. 2003: Appeared in nine games with a start against Lehigh, the first of his career Missed the Indiana and Army games with a hamstring pull suffered during fall camp and also missed the NC State contest Finished fourth on the team with 28 catches for 399 yards and four touchdowns while returning 11 kickoffs for 233 yards (21.2 avg.) and eight punts for 52 yards (6.5 avg.) Made seven catches for 80 yards with a touchdown in UConn s win at Wake Forest (Nov. 15) Made a pair of touchdown catches in UConn s 38-37 win over Akron (Oct. 25), hauling in four passes in all for 73 yards Recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game when he caught seven passes against Lehigh (Oct. 4) for an even 100 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Earned the team s offensive game ball against the Mountain Hawks Had three catches for 71 yards at Buffalo (Sept. 20) Made his season debut against Boston College (Sept. 13), catching a 17-yard pass and returning four punts for 26 yards. 2002: Earned a space in the receiver rotation and appeared in all 12 contests...also the team s top punt returner for a while, backup kick returner and a gunner on the punt team...made 22 catches on the year for 269 yards with two touchdowns while returning 12 punts for 77 yards and one kickoff for 21 yards...made two catches for 28 yards against Kent State (Nov. 9)...Led UConn with five catches and 69 receiving yards against Florida Atlantic (Nov. 2), also catching his second career TD...Two catches for 24 yards against Ball State (Sept. 28)...Had a pair of catches and a 33-yard punt return against Ohio (Sept. 21)...Made a 9-yard TD reception, the first score of his career, against Georgia Tech (Sept. 7)...Caught three passes in his collegiate debut at Boston College (Aug. 31). High School: Standout three-sport athlete at Chopticon High School...Prepped at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va....All-Conference and All- County pick in both football and basketball...earned All- Conference honors in football as both a wide receiver and defensive back...second in the state 100-meter dash (10.56). Personal Profile: Brandon Gerrard Young Born on December 31, 1983 An exploratory major. YOUNG S CAREER STATISTICS Year GP/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Long Avg./G 2002 12/0 22 269 12.2 2 29 22.4 2003 9/1 28 399 14.2 4 50 44.3 Totals 21/1 50 668 13.4 6 50 31.8 YOUNG S CAREER HIGHS Most Receptions: 7, 2x, last at Wake Forest, 11/15/03 Most Receiving Yds, game: 100, vs. Lehigh, 10/4/03 Most TD rec., game: 2, vs. Akron, 10/25/03 Longest Reception: 39, vs. Lehigh, 10/4/03 Most Carries, game: 1, at Buffalo, 9/14/02 Most Rush Yards, game: -2, at Buffalo 9/14/02 Longest Run: -2, at Buffalo 9/14/02 Most PR, game: 5, at Buffalo, 9/14/02 Most PR yardage, game: 33, vs. Ohio, 9/21/02 Longest Punt Return: 33, vs. Ohio, 9/21/02 Most KR, game: 3, 3x, last ay Wake Forest, 11/15/03 Most KR Yards, game: 88, at Wake Forest, 11/15/03 Longest KR, game: 38, at Wake Forest, 11/15/03 Brandon YOUNG 80