Who will be UConn's starting quarterback in 2023?
The most anticipated announcement of the UConn football preseason is set to come after Wednesday’s practice, as the team will announce its starting quarterback.
Coaches have been tracking just about everything the quarterbacks have done since the competition began, with Ta’Quan Roberson, Joe Fagano and Zion Turner getting equal reps in practice . Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Charlton pointed out that there started to be some separation about two weeks into camp, though no one has tipped their hand.
Here is a closer look at the Huskies’ options under center:
Ta’Quan Roberson
Resume: Earned the starting job in 2022 and opened the season with a 79-yard drive that ended in a touchdown but tore his ACL on the next drive and missed the rest of the season.
His case: A former four-star recruit who spent two seasons at Penn State before transferring to UConn last year, Roberson is the most balanced quarterback of the top three. He is an “elite passer,” according to Charlton, spent last season getting comfortable in the offense and has shown his ability to also escape the pocket and run with the ball when necessary or called upon.
Odds he starts against NC State: 2-1
Joe Fagnano
Resume: Completed 208 of 364 pass attempts (57.1%) last season as the starter at Maine for 2,231 yards and 15 touchdowns. Ran 93 times for 296 yards (3.2 yards per carry) and three touchdowns last season.
His case: The tallest of the top three, Fagnano is able to stand in the pocket and fire downfield with accuracy. He has an understanding of Charlton’s system after playing three seasons with him as his head coach at Maine and, like the others, has made some impressive throws in camp. Fagnano has played in the most games at the college level of the three, though almost all have been against FCS opponents.
Odds he starts against NC State: 5-1
Zion Turner
Resume: Started every game after Roberson’s injury in last year’s season-opener and completed 149 of his 258 pass attempts (57.8%) for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns, but had 10 passes intercepted. He ran 90 times for 262 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown.
His case: Turner was a highly-touted prospect and a proven winner out of St. Thomas Aquinas High in Florida before being thrown into the starting role as a true freshman at UConn. He showed signs of promise and improvement over the course of the year but had trouble protecting the ball and moving the offense down the field through the air – the battered receiver room didn’t help.
Odds he starts against NC State: 7-1
