Daniel Hand football star headed to UConn

MADISON, Conn. (WTNH) -- In 24 years on the job Daniel Hand football coach Steve Filippone has turned out dozens of college football players, but never has he had a player go Division 1, until now. Matt Walsh is a Tiger today, but a Husky tomorrow.

Walsh is a big fan of NFL star Ray Lewis.

"I use some of his quotes once and a while," said Walsh.

A mild mannered young man, Walsh transforms into Hand's emotional game time leader, doing it on command is another story.

"Let's go get me fired up. They have no idea. They're coming in here, they're following them damn selves, I got a whole 'nother fire about myself," Walsh said.

"You do it much louder than that," asked Sports Team 8's John Pierson.

"Yeah, different tone too," said Walsh

Like Lewis, Walsh is a play-maker.

"He's a very emotional player and he makes a lot of big plays for us," said Coach Filippone.

The senior linebacker is a tackling machine. He had 180 last year for Hand's state championship team.

"I can't remember the last time he missed a tackle," said Filippone.

"He's always in the right place," said Alex Tuccero, "he's always studying film, he's always doing that little extra thing that's going to make him better."

"If you know what's coming on defense you're going to have a jump on the rest of the other players cause if you know what's coming then you know where to go every play," said Walsh.

Opponents feel it from both sides. When he's not lining them up, he's taking them along for the ride as a fullback: 6'1", 225, is hard to tackle, even for the best teams in the state.

In Hand's win over Xavier, Walsh had a touchdown, or two or three.

"You scored a few," asked Pierson.

"Yes I did," Walsh said.

"How many," Pierson asked.

"Five," said Walsh.

Walsh's talent caught the attention of college recruiters. The day he was packing up to go sign with the Delaware Blue Hens, the Huskies called with an offer, and he accepted.

UConn was his dream school.

"Are you going up to play linebacker," asked Pierson.

"No, they like me for fullback," said Walsh, "but you never know what's going to happen."

Husky games are nothing new for Walsh, as he went to a bunch as a kid. He had a favorite on both sides of the ball.

"I liked watching Lutrus, the linebacker, he was a CT kid," Walsh said. "I liked watching Anthony Sherman the FB, they compare my future playing role to him."

Much like his Husky heroes, Walsh is grounded. And ready to work.

"For a kid who has the scholarship, the accolades he's had, he's still eager to be coached," said Filippone. "He wants to learn more about the game."