By Rob Gullo
NEFJ Correspondent
NEW HAVEN — After playing last season in its transition year in the NEC, the University of New Haven Chargers football team is ready to tackle the 2026 season as a full member of the NEC. The Chargers finished their 2025 season with a 5-5 record in their first season as a Division I program.
New Haven’s spring session kicked off on March 17 and will end next Saturday, April 18 with their 2026 spring game kicking off at 3:30 p.m.
Here are five observations from our spring visit:
1. Powell, team excited to no longer be in transition year in NEC: Last season, New Haven was in its transition year of being a member of the NEC and, as a result, only faced three NEC opponents. This season, they’ll have a full NEC slate of games, facing Stonehill, Robert Morris, Central Connecticut, Duquesne, Long Island, Wagner, and Mercyhurst.
Head coach Mark Powell and his team are excited to play a full NEC schedule this season and said the biggest difference from now and a year ago is having clarity for the upcoming season.
“Understanding who we’re playing, when we’re doing it, and how we’re doing it is so important for us,” said Powell. “We’re really excited and appreciate the NEC for welcoming us as a full-time member and it’s going to be a lot of battles this fall.”
2. Team has used spring football session to develop chemistry: On top of figuring out who will lead the team, step up, and be more involved on the field this season, spring football is a good time for teams to develop chemistry and bond prior to the start of the season.
One way New Haven has bonded off the field is participating in community service. The team even got their university President Jens Frederiksen and Director of Athletics Devin Crosby involved with the spring game, as the two drafted the spring game’s roster.
“It’s so important, I think it gets lost a little now in college football, the community outreach, we want to build great men,” said Powell. “We want them to be great dads and husbands some day. You have to be able to give back to the community. If we want them to come out and support us we have to support them and we’re very fortunate to have the opportunity to do that. I think our guys are up to around 1,700 hours of community service combined as a team and that’s a big piece of what we do.”
3. AJ Duffy ‘fired up’ to work with new offensive coordinator Brian Scott: On March 18, the Chargers named Brian Scott as their new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, replacing Tim Zetts, who joined the Las Vegas Raiders coaching staff as an assistant offensive coach. Scott brings over a ton of experience helping develop notable players such as Taylor Heinicke, Max Brosmer, Travis Fulgham, and Dylan Laube.
Quarterback AJ Duffy had a productive season last year as a junior after transferring from San Diego State, throwing for over 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also added four rushing touchdowns on the ground. Playing under a new offensive coordinator in Scott, the signal caller for the Chargers is fired up to see what Scott brings to the offense.
“We’re fired up for coach Scott,” said Duffy. “His knowledge, his scheme is great and we’re fired up to learn it. We’re doing good in the spring, but the summer is where we’re going to put a lot of work in, dial it up, and get it how we want it.”
4. Offensive Weapons will see new players step up: The Chargers have the luxury of having their starting quarterback returning for next season, but will need players to step up at the running back and wide receiver positions. Their two leading wideouts, Kevonne Wilder and Joshua Tracey, who combined for 1,010 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns last season are no longer on the team. Nate Burleson II and Matt Chandler are expected to be main targets for Duffy.
Leading rusher Jalen Smith (462 yards, 7.8 yards per carry) from last season is also not with the team, and the team’s backfield is expected to be led by Brian Thomas and Zaon Laney.
Starting tight end Evan Chieca (31 receptions, 255 yards, 4 touchdowns) also left the team, transferring to Florida and leaving another void there.
5. Brodie Williams expected to be key leader of defense: Defensive back Brodie Williams was all over the field on defense last season for the Chargers. Williams led the team in tackles (67), interceptions (3), and also had 8.5 tackles for loss and two pick-sixes. He is a player that Powell expects to be a key player on the defense.
Williams, who had a productive 2025 campaign, said he’s been focusing on improving his weaknesses to stay sharp for the upcoming season while not looking at his previous success.
“I just tie into my weaknesses,” said Williams. “Learn a lot of other positions so I can be all over the field this year and tie into my weaknesses and build off that and not look at my success that I had. Try to hone in on those details.”
Defensive lineman Irv Briggs, who led the team in sacks last season with four, is also expected to be a key returnee on the defense as are defensive back Dre Kirton and linebacker Ricky Encarnacion