Speed, burst and athleticism are all traits that running back commit and now signee, Dante Black will bring with him from Georgia, as he helped round out the 2018 recruiting class this morning. Black is a talented player that found the end zone during his senior season quite often, scoring 36 touchdowns on the year. He’s the type of recruit, with 4.49 speed that will be a difference maker once he gets settled in for an offense that will be looking to find their identity under new offensive coordinator John Dunn.

“UConn seemed like the place with the best fit for me,” he said this morning prior to sending in his letter of intent. “They had everything I was looking for in a school.”

Black possesses a strong work ethic, saying his off-field preparation is what sets him apart from others as a player. It translates to the field. In addition to his speed and burst, the 5’11” 200-lb back has elusiveness, consistently making defenders miss at the first, second and third levels.

“I don’t know that I model my game after one running back,” he said. “I take lots of characteristics from multiple backs and try to incorporate it into my game. My favorite back to watch though, is Le’Veon Bell.”

Football has given him an opportunity that many others don’t get, something he recognizes and takes to heart.

“It has a huge impact in that it is giving me a head start on millions of other people,” he said. “To be able to get a free education and follow my dream career, [it’s a blessing].”

Black is grateful for the opportunity presented to him and wanted to thank Coach Edsall and the entire UConn staff for the chance to prove himself at this level.

“They seem like very genuine people who will love me outside of the game,” he said.

He held offers that really tell the story of the overall character he possesses, including the Air Force Academy, Army and had strong interest from both Vanderbilt and Duke. That character led to humbleness when discussing what he needs to improve upon in order to continue to get better, especially as he steps onto the collegiate level.

“I need to improve on my pass protection and my pad level,” he said.

Playing within the 7A Division in Georgia, Black was able to play in some high profile games, as well as venues, including the Georgia Dome, which no longer stands today. It’s something he believes will help him in college, having had exposure with being in large stadiums, as he knows how to focus on cadences and play calls in loud environments.

With just hours left before he put pen to paper, Black described the emotions he was feeling.

“I’m ecstatic for what the future holds,” he said.

Black joins fellow Georgia 7A prospect, Steven Krajewski in this year’s UConn class. He and his Brookwood Broncos developed a short term battle with the Huskies QB signee and Colquitt County. The two teams have played four times over the past two years, including this year’s regular season battle that saw the Broncos and Black get the best of Krajewski’s Packers, as Black ran for 5 TD’s in a 42-25 win.

The two met again in the state semis, with Brookwood holding a 14-10 halftime lead, but it was Krajewski who led a 21-0 second half, including tossing the go-ahead and ultimately, game-winning 24-yard touchdown as the Packers found their way to their 4th straight championship game. Black accounted for 166 of the 213 yards that day, while scoring the lone two touchdowns for Brookwood.

Black admitted that he and Krajewski have not yet talked, but sharing similar experiences and going up against each other quite often will likely allow them to develop a quick relationship in Storrs, particularly as they line-up next to each other early on in their careers in the backfield.

His best memory from his time with Brookwood?

“I’ll always remember the overtime victory over our rival Park View and scoring the game winning touchdown,” he said.

Black will hope to create similar memories here at UConn and now that he’s officially signed, that process begins now.

MATT SCHONVISKY / SITE CREATOR