UConn Linebacker Lawrence Wilson Set To Lead

One player that seems to always set the tone defensively is UConn linebacker Lawrence Wilson.  Wilson, a senior from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has become one of the top linebackers in the country.  Last season when Scott Lutrus went down, he stepped his game up to a whole new level.

In 2009, Wilson led the Huskies with a team high 140 tackles, 11 for a loss, and five sacks.  His 10.8 tackles per game led the Big East and was 10th in the nation.  No. 8 anchors a defense that returns eight starters from a year ago.

Wilson was recently added to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to the top linebacker in the country. Heading into camp, it is safe to say that Wilson is the rock of this defense. The Huskies have talent at linebacker, but they don't have a lot of depth.

Wilson showed he has the potential to play at the next level last season. He had some spectacular games, but needs to keep up that same level of play at the start of the 2010 season when UConn takes the field against Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Now that Greg Lloyd is preparing to redshirt, it will put even more pressure on Wilson to perform as the anchor of this defense.  He is strong at blitzing and can drop back in coverage.  He's going to have to remain focused because the Huskies have a relatively young back four.

UConn traditionally is strong defensively and has always been a team that is able to force turnovers that helps the offense make the most out of those opportunities by scoring points.  UConn football isn't about getting into offensive shootouts back and forth with its opponents.

That is a recipe that will usually result in a loss 90 percent of the time.  UConn football is about clock management and remaining strong on defense.  UConn gets big stops on defense and puts the ball in the hands of its offense to work the clock.

Wilson is looked at as the star of this defense and there is pressure on him to deliver.  He knows it is no easy task, but that his coaches and teammates expect him to play at a very high level.

That is how football teams win games.  Wilson has a tough task ahead of him, but he and his teammates are determined to win a Big East title this year.