Some new rules are on the verge of being implemented and count UConn coach Randy Edsall among those applauding the expected move to an early signing period as well as the addition of a 10th assistant coach and capping the number of players on scholarship in one class to 25.

Here's the release on the rules changes that were approved by the NCAA Division I Council and still need to be ratified at the Division I Board of Directors meetings which end on April 26.

"I think they got it right,' Edsall said after Tuesday morning's spring practice, "I think there are more things that they can do. I was pleased that the proposal got passed. It is steps in the right direction, I do like the early signing period. We were getting to a point where people were just throwing offers out there because other people offered kids and now what happens, it will be interesting to see how many kids want to sign or commit to a school that offered and say, 'no you can't commit.'

"I am for all those things, the 10th coach, having the (limits on) camps on campus, all that. They just have to get back to civility in recruiting, let these kids be kids, tell them the truth, don't fill them with things that aren't there. Now I wish they would stop where you couldn't offer kids early enough. Having official visits in April, May and June, that will be different especially when they talk about the academic part when you bring kids in when you don't even have six semesters in of grades on them. That will be interesting to see how those things turned out."

There's not a ton to report off today's practice.

Tyler Davis was moved from tight end to receiver (his third position since arriving at UConn). It was his first day working with the receivers.
"Anybody who can help us win and help us score is welcome," receiver Hergy Mayala said. "Today was his first day so he has a lot to learn obviously but I think he is going to all right by the time fall (camp) comes along. He's a great worker, he's going to add to what we are doing so far."

Edsall said that Davis would probably be considered the fourth-string tight end and now he has a better chance to stepping onto the field as a receiver.

"He is not strong enough to play tight end so I think he is athletic, he runs well," Edsall said. "In terms of what we do in the offense, I think he fits better there right now. Right now he would probably be fourth in terms of where we are at tight end so now moving to where we are going to move him, he has a chance to come in and challenge that guy to be a starter or be the backup. I am worrying about trying to put the best team that I can together for this coming year and as I looked at it and evaluated it, I felt that would be the best spot for him for 2017."

Edsall also announced that Nazir Williams moved to the middle linebacker slot (likely caused by the injury to E.J. Levenberry) and Tyler Coyle is now at safety. Coyle was out there with the starting defensive backs along with fellow freshman Omar Fortt at the very end of the portion of practice open to the media. Williams looked impressive in the pass rushing drills when linebackers went up against running backs.

Arkeel Newsome, Quayon Skanes and Keyion Dixon all got work returning kickoffs today.

Edsall said that Friday's spring game will be more of a scrimmage that actual game. It will start off with the first-team offenses and defenses going head to head followed by the second team units squaring off. There could be live punting but no punt returns. Offensive linemen Ryan Crozier and Tommy Hopkins as well as defensive end Luke Carrezola remain in red no-contact jerseys so don't look for them to take part in Friday's 7 p.m. scrimmage.

Admission and parking will be free to the spring game at Rentschler Field.

There is one more practice in the spring and that is on Thursday but it is not open to the media.

I will also be filing a story on defensive back Jamar Summers, who many people thought might be preparing for the NFL draft right about now instead of returning for his senior season.

Keyion Dixon opened more than a few eyes as a quarterback when he was a senior at Glastonbury High School but the reality is that he would rather be on the receiving end of passes.

Dixon took the first steps towards realizing that goal when he headed up to UConn last week to take part in the conditioning program as well as enroll in some classes in the summer session.

"I am coming at it full speed," Dixon said after being named the offensive MVP for the winning Team Constitution squad at the Super 100 Classic at Rentschler Field. "They are always about precision routes, running everything with timing, just execution and that is what I really have to work on adjusting to the tempo of things and getting everything correct at that moment of time."

The receiving position is an interesting mix at UConn with veterans Noel Thomas and Brian Lemelle joined by talented youngsters Tyraiq Beals, Hergy Mayala and Aaron McLean.

"You have to take heed at what the other guys tell you because they have been in the same position when they were a freshman," Dixon said. "They tell you all the do's and don't, you just have to learn from them, soak up all that you can. You have to be a sponge in your first couple of weeks and in your first year because they have been there before. They know what to tell you in order for you to succeed because we all want to win. All of our receivers there because they all have different skill sets that you can benefit from so you try to see what they are good at and implement into your game."

Dixon admits that the workout sessions run by Matt Balis "are kicking my butt."

"We had our first leg day so they made us lift and then run so I figured wow, they are really into this," Dixon said. "Once you lift it, OK let's go run,  mentally you have to be focused for anything they can throw at you.

"You wake up at 5, you try to eat but it is hard when you have an hour to get ready and change. It is a workout from 6-7:30, you have to go to class until 8:15. My class schedule is 8:15-12:30, a rest period and go back and do practice."

Dixon had two catches in yesterday's game. The first one was a 65-yard touchdown and the other one was a 40-yard grab which set up another TD. Being on the same field where he will play his home games only increased his excitement to put on the UConn uniform.

"It is a dream come true," Dixon said. "You realized that you worked all your high school career, basically all of your life to get there and when you are there, you try to take in as much as you can. It is also a learning curve because you don't know what to expect going in there, they just throw you in there and teach you but it is hard to grasp all of that. It is very stressful; very tiring.

"You try a lot to make a good first impression on the team but then you realize there are other guys there who have the same skill set as you  so you try to differentiate yourself from the crowd. once you get into your comfort zone."

In a few months Tyler Coyle and Keyion Dixon will be teammates with the UConn football team but before they arrive in Storrs they are busy finishing their high school track and field careers in style.
Earlier today they combined to win three events at the CCC Central Regional championships at Simsbury.

Coyle was a part of the winning 4x100 relay squad which ran a blistering time of 42.17 seconds, winning by nearly two seconds. He also won the long jump with a leap of 21-2 while Dixon was the winner in the 300 intermediate hurdles. Dixon's time of 39.45 is not only the fastest among the qualifiers for next week's Class LL championships but according to the CIAC official site, is the fastest in the state this season. Windsor's qualifying time of 41.85 in the 4x100 relay, set during the Glen Loucks Games on May 14, is the state's best this season.

Coyle is one of four runners who have qualifying times under 11 seconds in the 100 meters in next week's CIAC Class MM championships and the 4x100 relay team is currently the top qualifier, is currently the No. 5 seed in the long jump and would be one of the top qualifiers in the 200 if he opts to run in that race.

The duo went head to head in the 100. Coyle finished second with a time of 10.98 with Dixon taking third at 11.21. Weaver's Mark Doyley won the event with a time of 10.91.

The Class LL meet is set for June 1 at Willow Brook Park with the Class MM championships held at the same time at Middletown High School.