Here's five UConn football storylines heading into fall camp
UConn footballenters a new era at full speed.Jason Candle, the architect ofthewinningestdecadein Toledo history,will takethepractice field on Wednesday, Aug. 5aiming tokeep the programs momentum intact.The Huskies are coming off back-to-back nine-win seasonsunder former coach Jim Mora, who leftto become the head coach at Colorado State.Candle arrives inStorrswitha track recordbuilt on consistency. Candle, who presided over the Toledo program for10 seasons, won two Mid-American Conference championships, made seven trips to bowlgamesand left the Ohio program without a losing seasonin his tenure.Candleisntinterestedin a rebuild. But he does realize a foundation for the program must beestablishedin Year 1.I think its critical, Candle said on media day when asked how important it is to continue UConns recent success. I think wehave todefinewhat'srealisticterms forforthis team. Yesterday's home runsdon'twin today's game.Our successes or this program's successes or failures, either way, have no impact on what is going to go on here when this ball gets kicked off in September here.?Here are five storylines to watch out for as Fall camp begins on Wednesday.Can Jason Candle's success travel to UConn?Candle spent 10 seasons building Toledo into one of the most dependable programs in the Group of Five two MAC titles, seven bowl trips and a decade without a single losing season.He also proved he couldidentifyand develop talent, sending 34 players to the NFL, including first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and longtime Kansas City Chiefs contributor Kareem Hunt.Now UConn is betting that formula holds up at a higher level, handing Candle a six-year deal to build on the momentum Jim Mora left behind after consecutive 9-3 seasons.UConn football has 57 transfersUConns roster isalmost entirelydifferent from last season, having brought in 64 new additions to Storrs.Candle went deep into the transfer portal, bringing 57 players inthe spring. He also added seven incomingfreshmen.The offense has been completely overhauled as big-name transfers such as running back Cyncir Bowers,wide receiver Ryder Treadwayand offensive lineman Dominic Rivera will look to make instant impacts.On defense, the Huskies added former Michigan State defensive lineman Avery Dunn, Toledo standout Esean Carter,linebacker Zakaih Saez and defensive backJayden Davis.Among the slew of transfers, Candle brought over22 players from Toledo.UConn QB battleUConn's quarterback competition is shaping up to be the most closely watched storyline of fall camp. Four players are in the mix, and Candleisn'tready to commit to any of them.Kalieb Osborne enters as the presumptive favorite after spending two years learning Candle's offense at Toledo. He flashed his dual-threat ability in the Boca Raton Bowl, throwing for a touchdown and adding 77 rushing yards.Buthe'snot running awaywiththe job.Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, a former four-star recruit who spent two seasons at Tennessee without ever cracking the starting lineup, brings the kind of arm talent and size that make him a threat to leapfrog the more experienced options.Behind them, redshirt junior Tucker McDonald offers steadiness and experience from three appearances a season ago, while true freshman Bo Polston a Candle recruit who followed him from his Toledo commitment is working his way back from a shoulder injury that cost him his final high school season.Offensive coordinator Nunzio Campanile has made clear the staffwon'trush a decision just to have one, which means this battle could stretch deep into camp.UConn's defense has a Toledo touchCandle is known to be an offensive-forward coach, but his fingerprints are all over this UConn defense.New defensive coordinator RyanManalac, who was previously a linebackers coach at Pitt,will have plenty to work with as Candle brought overall-conference linebackerKVonSherman. Shermanled Toledo in tackles last season with 93and is expected to anchor the front seven.UConn also brought informer Penn defensive tackleJohnLista, who earnedunanimous all-Ivy League honors last season afterfinishing the year with 78 tackles and two sacks.The secondary has more questions, but Candlestrack recordsuggests he can get the most out of young defensive backs. Look for players likeJayden Davis,TylerMcKinstryand Moussa Kane to be contenders to have breakout years.Howsthe schedule shaping up?Despite having a first-year coach, analmost entirelynewrosterandnoconference tocall home, the Huskies havea schedule that would favor them getting to theirfourth bowl game in five years.UConnhas seven home games, starting withthe Huskies season opener against Lafayette onSept. 5.UConn should be favoredagainst Lafayette,Southern Mississippi,Temple,UMassandOld Dominion.The Huskies will have tougher matchups against Maryland,Syracuse,North Carolinaand JamesMadison;howeverall ofthose games will be at home.This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Here's five UConn football storylines heading into fall camp