Ryan Dickens Has Scholarship Offer Withdrawn by UConn

Just over two weeks before he was set to sign his letter of intent to play football at UConn, linebacker Ryan Dickens had his scholarship offer pulled by the school Sunday. 

According to Matthew Stanmyre of NJ.com, Dickens verbally agreed to play for the Huskies seven months ago when Bob Diaco was head coach, but Diaco has since been fired, and new head coach Randy Edsall reneged on the offer.

Due to the last-minute nature of UConn's decision, Dickens has been left scrambling to find another school willing to offer him a scholarship.

Raritan High School coach Anthony Petruzzi has been working the phones in an effort to secure a landing spot for his player, but he admitted the situation has taken a toll on Dickens, per Stanmyre:

"

The kid's world went into disarray. We're just trying to pick up the ashes right now and find the best way to move forward. ...

Ryan stuck by [UConn] through their turmoil and their regime change, and now in a crucial moment they've decided to let him go. He's having a hard time right now realizing that the last seven months of preparation is not going to see itself out. He's devastated. But he's a tough kid. He got knocked down today but he's going to get up tomorrow and realize his dream.

"

According to 247Sports, Dickens is a 2-star recruit who ranks as the No. 2,601 overall player, No. 173 outside linebacker and No. 53 player from the state of New Jersey in his class.

Prior to the call from Edsall, Pettruzzi revealed Dickens turned down an inquiry from Monmouth, staying firm in his commitment to the Huskies. After having his scholarship offer withdrawn, Dickens went back to Monmouth, only to find out the spot was offered to another player.

However, Stanmyre revealed Rhode Island offered Dickens a scholarship early Tuesday morning and that the player will "weigh his options" ahead of signing day on Feb. 1

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