Before the lights are bright and the Blue Devils season officially begins, in practice,  a new QB1 is taking every first-team rep for Central Connecticut.

That quarterback is Aaron Winchester.

Calm, collected and even directing teammates to the correct spots in the formation, despite the fact that he’s the newest member of the team.

“Aaron Winchester is the starter,” first-year interim head coach Ryan McCarthy said. The new Central boss made clear who his guy is after a long quarterback battle that lasted throughout summer.

“He’s come in and taken command. He’s been here all summer, he’s had his nose in the playbook, he’s composed and he’s a leader,” McCarthy continued, not short of compliments for his new starting QB.

Winchester made his way to the Blue Devils as a graduate transfer from the Georgia State University, where he appeared in 15 games and started three.

During his career with the Panthers, Winchester completed 61 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 405 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

Winchester looks comfortable so far. However, it can’t be overstated how big the shoes of the position, or player, he will be replacing will be.

Jacob Dolegala, who left Central as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, took his talents to the next level and currently is a backup for the Cincinnati Bengals.  Dolegala’s entrance into the NFL brings with it the departure of CCSU’s most prolific quarterback.

For most, that would perhaps create extra pressure to perform. However, Winchester is not like most.

“I think that Jake did a lot of great things, but that’s Jake,” said Winchester. “He did his thing and he’ll continue to do his thing…but there’s no pressure.”

He continued, “I’m confident in my ability and I know what I can do, so I’m just going to lead the offense as much as I possibly can.”

That confidence has even made the transition from Georgia State to Central Connecticut somewhat easier for him.

“It’s been smooth; I think that being able to have gone through a staff change at Georgia State prepared me for this,” Winchester said. “Having different terminology, different philosophies and different teammates helped me transition to this phase of my career.”

A career that he hopes does not stop at Central Connecticut.

“Absolutely,” Winchester said without hesitation, when asked if he expects an opportunity to go pro.

“That’s what I work for. I’m a man of faith, so I know God always has a plan for me so I just do my part day in and day out and continue to get better,” Winchester said.

Winning is the best way to be recognized on a national stage and bring scouts in the audience. But even with that in the back of his head, Winchester is smart enough to focus on the present.

“I think it’s just taking it one day at a time. One day at a time, one game at a time,” Winchester said. “I’ve been doing this long enough to know that if you look too far ahead that you can trip up and lose to teams you probably should have beat.”

Aaron Winchester is hoping to be what this team, especially this offense, needs heading into a season as they are replacing a lot of playmakers.

He’s a veteran presence, a leader, but most importantly, a playmaker looking to get Central Connecticut back to the top of the Northeast Conference by looking to win every day.