Storrs — Spotting former UConn quarterback Dan Orlovsky at football practice Tuesday brought back memories for Tommy Myers.

Myers, a red-shirt senior from Coventry, remembers marveling at Orlovsky's throwing ability while attending UConn football camp as a child.

"That was the coolest thing for me," Myers said of seeing Orlovsky. "I was sharing stories with him. I remember when I went to camp when I was in fifth grade. He was at the 50-yard line and he just chucks it 50 yards right into a net. I was like, 'oh my God, that's Dan Orlovsky.' So it was pretty cool."

Since returning to take over the Huskies, coach Randy Edsall has made an effort to get former players involved with the program, something that didn't happen with any regularity during coach Bob Diaco's tenure.

Orlovsky, who's played for four different teams over his 12-year NFL career, was one of several ex-Huskies to watch the first day of spring practice at the Shenkman Training Center on campus. He's a free agent, looking for a job.

Yawin Smallwood and Geremy Davis also attended Tuesday's workout while Jordan Todman is expected to be in Storrs later this week.

"The more that we can have those guys back and make them feel wanted and welcome, the better we're going to be," Edsall said.

Orlovsky is serving as a student assistant this spring and working with the quarterbacks while he completes his undergraduate degree during the spring semester. He played for the Huskies (2001-2004) during Edsall's first coaching stint in Storrs.

Edsall talked to his team about Orlovsky, who's on campus for the first time in seven years.

"That's the face of the UConn program," Edsall said. "It's nobody else. It's not me, it's him. He's the guy that did it. He was the guy that stood up and said, 'hey, I'm going to be different. I'm not going to go to Purdue or Michigan State. I'm going to come to UConn and make it special.' And he did.

"... It's good to always have all those guys back. They know they're welcome. ... Having Dan and other guys here is going to help make these guys better and maybe help with their confidence a little bit."

Myers plans to learn as much as possible from the former Huskies, especially Orlovsky.

"Any time you have a guy that spent (12) years in the league, you just want to get every little thing, even his mannerisms, honestly," Myers said.

Leadership council

• Instead of selecting team captains, Edsall will take another approach to leadership. He'll form a leadership council.

"I'm not sure how many kids really want to be leaders anymore," Edsall said. "That's one of the things that I have seen change over the years. So what I've gone to is having a leadership council, where I take one guy from each position. I think it's very difficult in this day and age to try and go and lead 105 guys if you just have two guys. I've found by going this route, it's been more productive."

Edsall said he'll probably name his leadership council either later this spring or when the team returns to campus this summer.

News and notes

• UConn will hold its Pro Day on Wednesday. About 13 Huskies are expected to participate. Twenty to 25 pro scouts will be on hand.  ... Edsall hasn't ruled out trying to upgrade the roster before August. ... New London High School graduate Bryan Cespedes, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, is back for another season. ... Offensive lineman Ryan Crozier (shoulder), linebacker Luke Carrezola (shoulder) and offensive lineman Tommy Hopkins (knee) are limited to non-contact drills. They wore red jerseys during Tuesday's workout. "They're coming along and getting better," Edsall said.  ... Chris Lee, a sophomore expected to move from tight end to offensive line, informed Edsall Sunday that he's leaving the program and going back home to Maryland. "He's lost his love for football," Edsall said.

g.keefe@theday.com