According to Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant via Twitter, wide receiver Leon Kinnard has been granted his release from the UConn Huskies football program by head coach Paul Pasqualoni.
Wide receiver #LeonKinnard was granted his release today and will be leaving the #UConn program for an opportunity to play. He said Division I-AA is a likely spot. He leaves Storrs Friday.
Kinnard probably wouldn’t have seen much time at the receiver position as he was listed in an or situation as the backup to the backup wide receivers. He saw action in nine games last season and had four rushes for 18 yards. He also completed his only pass attempt for three yards.
He saw a little action on special teams as well as he had two punt returns that went for -3 yards. He also returned one kickoff for 24 yards.
Kinnard had come to UConn as a quarterback but was moved to wide receiver by former coach Randy Edsall. Kinnard was used in some wildcat formations but you can tell from his numbers that it didn’t really work out for him.
It’s quite possible he could have worked his way in the return game but with Nick Williams back, he would need an injury to help him rise through the depth chart there and at wide receiver.
A move to FCS (1-AA) is probably the best thing for him. Once he finds a place to call his new home, he’ll be able to practice and play right away. Had he decided to trasfer to an FBS school, he would have been able to practice but would have had to sit out all of the games as a transfer.
He was also featured in the Hartford Courant recently as well.
Best of luck to Kinnard. You can follow him on Twitter if you want @L_Kinnard8.
Photo credit: AP Photo
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