#43 Lyle McCombs of UConn dives in for a touchdown against the Memphis Tigers at Rentschler Field.

#43 Lyle McCombs of UConn dives in for a touchdown against the Memphis Tigers at Rentschler Field.

It’s a good thing that UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco has some depth next season at the running back position. The reason?

The school announced on Wednesday that Lyle McCombs is no longer part of the UConn football team.

Here’s the statement:

University of Connecticut running back Lyle McCombs (Staten Island, N.Y.) is no longer a member of the UConn football team, but will remain enrolled at the University through the end of the summer term in order to earn his undergraduate degree.

“Attending school at the University of Connecticut is a special privilege as is being a member of the UConn football team,” said head coach Bob Diaco. “With that privilege also come certain responsibilities and expectations. We wish Lyle only the best in his future endeavors as he moves on from UConn.”

McCombs is the fourth-leading rusher in school history with 2,681 career yards and has 11 career 100-yard rushing games. He rushed for 1,151 yards in 2011 and was named a Freshman All-American.  He has been UConn’s leading rusher in each of the past three years.

“I am excited with the players we have at the tailback position and look forward to their production,” said Diaco.

We can probably expect Berlin, CT native Max DeLorenzo to get a bulk of the carries. It also wouldn’t surprise me to see Josh Marriner get some time at the running back position either.

Diaco also has trio of running back recruits coming in as well in Parade All-American Arkeel Newsome of Ansonia, CT, two-time New England Prep Player of the Year Brice McAllister from Suffield Academy and Ron Johnson of Palmetto Ridge High School in Naples, FL.

photo credit: ian bethune – sox & dawgs