The UConn football team, which was beset by injuries during the 2005 season, was hit with one before the 2006 campaign had a chance to begin.

Seth Fogarty, a junior wide receiver who might have contended for a starting position, injured his leg in an all-terrain vehicle accident last week and will miss the entire season.

"There's some question as to whether he'll ever play again," UConn coach Randy Edsall said in a teleconference Tuesday.

Fogarty, who caught six passes for 43 yards and one touchdown last season, was listed second on the team's preseason depth chart behind senior Brandon Young. Junior Brandon McLean is UConn's other starting wide receiver.

The 6-foot, 206-pound Fogarty, 22, is a native of Morgantown, W.Va. He is the younger brother of former UConn quarterback Shane Fogarty.

Edsall said he planned to visit with Fogarty Tuesday afternoon to check on his condition.

"The information that our doctors have gotten from the doctor that performed the surgery is that it's not a good situation for the young man," added Edsall, who said only that the accident occurred in the "Connecticut area" last week.

The Huskies, who open training camp Friday in preparation for their season opener Aug. 31 against Rhode Island, already were a bit short on wide receivers.

Ellis Gaulden, a sophomore from Tallahassee, Fla., is recovering from the torn ACL in his right knee he suffered last September.

"Ellis isn't

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going to be out there with us when we start," Edsall said. "We'll see how he comes along."

Gaulden, who also was a high jumper for the UConn track team as a freshman, played in one game last season and had one catch.

On a positive note, junior Larry Taylor will be able to practice on Friday.

"Larry, it's my understanding," Edsall said, "is going to be cleared and full-go come Friday."

Taylor, a running back who was moved to wide receiver in the off-season, also tore his right ACL last season. Taylor is also a key returner for the Huskies, having scored touchdowns on kick returns and punt returns in his career.

With Fogarty out and Gaulden at least slowed, UConn could turn to a number of young pass-catchers.

Sophomore Nollis Dewar is McLean's backup at this point and Taylor is certain to see plenty of action. But players such as redshirt freshman Travis Watson, true freshmen Brad Kanuch and Terence Jeffers, and sophomore Robert Theoudele, a converted linebacker, could also earn playing time.

The loss of Fogarty to an off-the-field injury had Edsall somewhat disheartened.

"We talk to them (players) every day about doing the right thing, making good decisions, and that nothing good ever happens after midnight," Edsall said. "We talk to them about all those things.

"As we try to parent and educate the young people, it's discouraging at times when young people make those poor decisions. You wonder as a coach, 'What should I have done more of to make sure the young man doesn't make that bad decision?'"

NOTEBOOK

ROSTER CHANGES — UConn coach Randy Edsall confirmed a number of changes to his roster Tuesday, including the transfer of one veteran.

Kelvin Quarles, a redshirt freshman defensive end from Tucker, Ga., has left the school.

"He called me and said he wants to get closer to home," Edsall said. "So we granted him his release."

Of the recruits the Huskies signed in February, a number won't be on campus this fall.

Corey Stringer, a linebacker from Warren, Ohio, will enroll at UConn in January 2007, Edsall said.

Linebacker Jarvis Hicks, a Deerfield Beach, Fla., native, has withdrawn from the Salisbury School (Conn.) and will not be attending UConn at any point.

Defensive back Stormy Butler of Tamarac, Fla., offensive lineman Kindly Jacques of Lauderhill, Fla., and cornerback James Nixon of New Haven all are slated to attend prep schools this fall. Nixon has stated in the past his desire to attend UConn eventually and Jacques could do the same after a postgraduate season, but Butler will not.

"Stormy was going to try to enroll at another institution," Edsall said of Butler, whose brother Darius is a starting cornerback at UConn.

BUILDING UPDATE — A temporary certificate of occupancy was issued Tuesday for the Burton Family Football Complex, and Edsall has already set up shop in his new office.

The Husky players have yet to move in, but Edsall said they are on schedule to do so when the team officially reports Thursday.

"Hopefully, everything will be ready to go by some time today," Edsall said. "They're still going through some inspections and things along those lines."

As for the adjoining Mark R. Shenkman Training Center, Edsall said the turf has yet to be laid down.

"This is a big project. You want to make sure everything's right," Edsall said.

— NEILL OSTROUT