QB Bryant Shirreffs looks on during spring practice inside the Shenkman Training Center in Storrs

Coming off his first season as a starting quarterback since 2013, which was also his senior high school season in Jefferson, Georgia, Bryant Shirreffs is working this spring to move his game forward.

He missed the final game and three quarters of the 2015 regular season, after suffering a concussion in the first quarter of the Huskies win over previously unbeaten Houston. However, Shirreffs returned under center for the Huskies first bowl game under head coach Bob Diaco, a loss to Marshall in the St. Petersburg Bowl, where he broke the wrist on his throwing hand late in the second half.

Shirreffs stayed in the game, showing his toughness, as he tried to lead the Huskies back from a deficit. The program is using their performance against Marshall as a building point, as they look to improve during spring practice.

“The bowl game left a little sour taste in my mouth and I think I’m speaking for everyone, as well,” Shirreffs said after practice in Storrs on Friday. “There was definitely a little extra incentive in the weight room [getting ready for the spring]. We’re excited for this year.”

The team is clearly feeding off the energy of Diaco, who, during Friday’s practice, sprinted 35 yards to congratulate LB Vontae Diggs with a leaping chest bump, after he broke up a deep ball between the hashes. Shirreffs described the impact the head coach has on the team and the little competition he has going on with Diaco.

“I don’t know how he does it, coming in when he gets here [the football facility],” Shirreffs said. “I try to be the first one here, but sure enough, I always see his office light on when I’m walking over. When you have someone like that, working as hard as they do, it sets an example. That’s the definition of a leader. We’d do anything for him and we are very grateful to have him.”

Shirreffs has healed up since his injury in late December and is once again healthy, ready to go. He’s happy with the progress the offense has made thus far and credits the work that was put in during the off-season.

“I think everyone is really stepping up,” he said. “We have pretty much everyone back, as far as the skill players [on offense], especially the receivers. You can see the growth they’ve had and it really shows up. The offensive line is looking really good too.”

Shirreffs threw for 2,078 yards and 9 TD’s in 2015, but there are areas for improvement. UConn quarterbacks were sacked 37 times a season ago, which was 107th in the nation; Shirreffs was dropped for 34 of those. He will be aided by what is expected to be a much improved offensive line, which includes redshirt freshman Mathew Peart, protecting his blind side at left tackle.

Despite the positive words coming from the junior quarterback, don’t confuse those with satisfaction; he’s well aware that progress needs to be made across the board.

“I’ve been focusing on preparation,” Shirreffs responded when asked what he’s working on the most this spring.

His job is made easier with some of the skill players that are returning, specifically star senior wide receiver Noel Thomas.

“Being able to throw to someone like Noel is pretty relieving because he makes so many plays,” Shirreffs said. “You may not throw the perfect pass, but he can still go up and get it. It’s awesome to have such a good friend on and off the field. I’m lucky.”

Also returning is valuable tight end Tommy Myers, the Coventry native, who was also knocked out of the Houston game and was lost for the season. Myers does it all for the Huskies from the highly publicized ‘f’ position, which is a hybrid tight end spot. Shirreffs was able to expand on what Myers brings to the group.

“The ‘f’ position in general is so diverse, you can put so many different skill sets there,” he said. “Having a guy like Tommy play there, it opens up so many different packages that we can run. Having Tommy back, I’m just encouraged by the entire offense and how we’re working right now.”

Fans will get to see that offense in operation on April 16th at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.