UConn Recruit Matt Walsh Talks About Program

Since losing to Cincinnati last Saturday, the conversation has turned from possible bowl aspirations to looking ahead to next year. Coach Paul Pasqualoni has already talked about hitting the recruiting trail in search of players that will give the program more consistency. The 2013 class is Pasqualoni's second since taking over for Randy Edsall in 2011, and the team's success next season will go a long way in determining if Pasqualoni's long-term prospects in Storrs.

The New Haven Register's Jim Fuller spoke with one member of the incoming class, linebacker Matt Walsh (Hand High School), who took to Twitter recently to defend the Huskies' second straight 5-7 season.

"I’ve had good relationships with a lot of them," Walsh told Fuller of the other UConn commits. "I know a lot of them had a great time up here on their official visit. They watched the game and even though UConn came up short, they had a great experience. They love everything UConn is doing right now, they love being on campus. With all the other commits, I can’t wait to get up here and play with everybody

"I think we have some great recruits who can turn everything around. We will start working towards the Big East championship just like UConn wants to do every year, that is our goal next year."

That's Pasqualoni's plan -- stock the roster with enough talent and depth to compete consistently from one week to the next.

Walsh's high school coach, Steve Filippone, played for Pasqualoni and offensive coordinator George DeLeone at Southern Connecticut State. He thinks Walsh could contribute sooner rather than later.

"Once he can focus on one position, train for that position I think he will be a very significant contributor to UConn’s success over the next couple of years," Filippone said. "I’ve known Coach P and Coach DeLeone, they were my college coaches at Southern. I have known them my entire adult life and I wouldn’t ever throw something their way I wasn’t sure would give them some payback and I am absolutely that certain that he is going to be a great player."

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