In Paul Pasqualoni's two years, there's been little good news for the Huskies football team. Back-to-back 5-7 records and an ever-changing conference where the only thing that stays the same is UConn's place in it.
But here's something to celebrate even if it doesn't directly affect the program: Chargers rookie second-rounder and former UConn defensive lineman Kendall Reyes has been named to Mel Kiper's All-Rookie team. Details via ESPN (via Sox & Dawgs):
Kendall Reyes, Chargers: A 3-4 defensive end, Reyes was maybe the most athletic defensive tackle in the 2012 draft. Once he got the reps in San Diego he produced, and he should be a stud going forward. He finished with 5.5 sacks and simply destroyed the Jets in Week 16.
Reyes entered his senior season as one of the country's best linemen, played up to that level for UConn, performed well at the February combine and the Huskies' pro day, and parlayed that into a second-round draft selection. He was one of the few bright spots on the Chargers, a team that went 7-9 six games back of the AFC West leading Broncos.
The disappointing season (along with several that preceded it) cost coach Norv Turner his job, something Reyes spoke about recently.
“Norv is a great guy,” Reyes said via the Nashua Telegraph. “I love him to death and I’ve learned a lot from him. I’ll forever remember him and I hope we’ll stay in touch. …
“Regardless of what happened you have to be resilient and that’s the type of group we have in the locker room,” Reyes said. “That’s what we’re going to do and whatever happens from this day forth, we just have to approach it one day at a time.”
