University of Connecticut Athletics
For UConn Running Back Group, Rosa Is Next Man Up
10/13/2022 5:27:00 PM | Football
Oct. 13, 2022
As the UConn football program has fought through the adversity of numerous injuries in 2022, the team's running back group has embraced the next-man-up mentality.
It began with a fractured elbow to UConn sophomore Brian Brewton. Then, it was a shoulder separation for Nathan Carter. Devontae Houston has had to persevere through various nagging injuries this season, including his latest, a sprained ankle.
The result is that true freshman Victor Rosa is in a position that many didn't expect him to be in this early into his college career.
Through the grit and grind that the Huskies have endured thus far, Rosa has been a key part of UConn's season. He's not only had to adjust to being a top RB for the Huskies, but Rosa has also had to adjust to being an FBS football player. The increased speed of the game at this level of college football has been his biggest challenge..
"As I've gotten my touches and experience, whether it be in practice or at the games, I believe I've adapted well," Rosa said. "I'm fully prepared for this weekend. I've been fully prepared for these previous games, thanks to the other running backs in the room.".
During Rosa's time with the team, he's had plenty of time to spend hearing valuable advice from his teammates. The veterans in the Huskies RB room have continued to pass on the lessons that they've learned during their time at the FBS level to Rosa as he makes his way through the environment of college football.
"Nate Carter, Rob Burns, Brewton, Houston, they're all great leaders to me," Rosa said. "As I came in, we all worked hard. Nate and Rob, especially, they're great role models to me."
When it came time for Rosa to get increased touches at running back for the Huskies, he was ready for the challenge. He had worked hard to be in this position ever since he arrived in Storrs from Bristol (Conn.) Central High School and began work with the UConn coaching staff. After scoring a touchdown in a win against Central Connecticut, UConn Coach Jim Mora was incredibly proud of Rosa's effort, going on to say that he would be getting more touches in the future.
Those touches would come on one of the biggest stages in college football -- a matchup against Michigan in Ann Arbor, where the UConn freshman would accumulate 14 carries. As the season has progressed for Rosa, he's gotten even better as he's had more carries. His last game was his best contest thus far, with 16 carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-12 win over FIU.
Despite Rosa being a critical part of UConn's two consecutive victories, he's made sure to stay consistent in his preparation and attitude for every game.
"We just gotta keep being efficient in the offensive game. Our defense has been playing very well these past couple of games. We just gotta execute," Rosa said.
At the center of Rosa's emergence among UConn's running backs is Coach E.J. Barthel. With a wealth of experience at the FBS level and in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, he's been around some of the best names in football. Barthel has seen many of the qualities he's seen at the NFL level in Rosa and the RB group.
"The only way you can be productive in the NFL is being prepared and having a standard for each rep. That's the nature of the business," Barthel said. "For me to instill that into our guys here, I think they've responded really well. It's really important. It's one of our non-negotiables with how we finish and how we approach each and every rep."
When the injuries came for the Huskies, Barthel was already prepared for the next-man-up mentality that he was going to help instill in his group. He worked tirelessly to help prepare Rosa for the many reps he would take for the Huskies, passing on the valuable wisdom he's learned from his time around football.
"He's responded very well," Barthel said of Rosa. "He has a lot of growth to do. The challenge for him was to be able to play early and he has responded very well. I couldn't be happier. He's trending up here."
For Barthel, it's one thing to voice your dedication and another thing to show your dedication. During his time with UConn football, he's seen Rosa show his commitment to the program by working hard to become a complete running back. He's taken the coaching of Barthel and responded positively via his effort on the field. That effort, Barthel said, will continue to elevate the UConn freshman into a productive player in college football and beyond.
"That's all you can ask for as a coach," Barthel said. "You can ask a guy to believe in you and to trust you and that's what Victor has done. He shows up every day and continues to get better."
