Connecticut HC won't add transfers: 'They've got issues'

Impact transfers have emerged as one of college football's biggest storylines over the last few years, but it seems Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall doesn't want anything to do with players changing teams.

"I'd rather go with high school kids or junior college guys," Edsall said, according to Alex Putterman of the Hartford Courant. "Guys going into the portal, they've got issues. ... That's why they're going into the portal. I think if you get people that come in from (junior college) ... those guys have a little more edge to them because they want to play right now.

"Sometimes these guys from the portal think that they're enabled and entitled to something. You know, maybe it didn't work out because you didn't stay there and finish."

Edsall, who coached the Huskies from 1999-2010, returned to the program in 2017. He spent five seasons as Maryland's head coach after his first run with Connecticut and had an NFL stint with the Detroit Lions in 2016.

The 61-year-old cited familiarity as a factor in his choice to avoid transfer players, a decision he said he made in consultation with his staff.

"Moving forward, and this year, I just talked to the coaches and the staff about it, and I just didn't (want to add transfers)," he said. "Unless I know the guy or our coaches know the guy or we were involved with recruiting him, I don't know if you can get enough information that you need to make a proper evaluation."

Connecticut's football program has been in flux since Edsall rejoined the team. The Huskies have won just six games since he took over again, and the team will be an FBC Independent next season after leaving the American Athletic Conference.