By Tony Catalina
NEFJ Correspondent
The UConn Huskies enter the 2024 season with a lot of hope and cautious optimism. A program that has dove headfirst into the world of NIL has seen an influx of talent and a potential Day 1 starter added. The hope is that this is just the beginning for a program eager to get back to a bowl game following its latest appearance in 2022.
With a new offensive coordinator, a new system on defense, and a new QB1–a lot has changed for the Huskies as they head into the 2024 season. We analyzed the team and what we could expect from UConn this year.
Offense
The keys to the car have been handed to former big-time recruit and big-time transfer Nick Evers. With head coach Jim Mora officially announcing it was Evers’s job, the news many had expected to hear when he was brought in this offseason became official. This is Evers’ third season in college football, with the first two being in Oklahoma and Wisconsin, respectively. However, this will be his first chance to be the guy in college.
A lot rides on the shoulders of Evers, with many eyes on the young quarterback. However, he won’t have to do it alone. The Huskies’ offense brings back a bunch of quality starters, especially on the offensive line, with Chase Lundt and Valentin Senn holding down the two tackle spots. Add in the fact the Huskies have a quality running back room that includes Victor Rosa and Cam Edwards, the protection upfront and the running game should be Evers’ best friend this season.
Beyond the known faces, UConn has also added dynamic pass catcher T.J. Sheffield on the outside and expects him to have a big season in this revamped offense. This group is loaded with potential, but just how good it can be remains to be seen. But make no mistake about it, there is enough talent and intriguing pieces in this room to be a quality unit.
Defense
As much excitement and hope as there is for the Huskies’ offense, the group’s strength still remains on the defensive side of the ball. Anchored by defensive linemen Pryce Yates and Jelani Stafford, the front seven of this group should be tough on imposing offensive lines and running games. With the addition of linebacker Jayden McDonald, coupled with secondary staples in Rante Jones and Malik Dixon-Williams, there are players at each level of this group to feel good about in 2024.
Mora is implementing a 3-3-5 defense that will be a different look than the Huskies have typically rolled out on Saturdays. With the hopes of creating matchup problems, protection issues, and the talent on the roster, the group feels excited about its opportunities heading into the season.
Special Teams
When it comes to the special teams units, especially kick return and punt return, the Huskies have a chance to make a significant impact in 2024. Not only will Rosa and Edwards get a chance to make their presence felt here, but they also have red-shirt freshmen Jackson Harper and Bryan Domino ready on kick and punt returns as well.
Graduate transfer kicker Chris Freeman will hold down field goals and kickoffs, while junior punter Connor Stutz will try to flip field position all season long.
This group probably won’t get most of the attention due to other changing variables on the roster and the natural dismissal of special teams as a whole. However, they’re talented enough that the Huskies may find a way to change the complexion of a game with this unit on several occasions.
Record Prediction
6-6 (Bowl Eligible)
The Huskies find a way in the final week of the year to get their sixth win of the season against rival UMass to make them bowl-eligible for the second time in three seasons. This is a program that is committed to changing the narrative around their football team, and Mora and the staff are doing the right things. It may not be perfect this year, but there will be enough good things from them this year to have Huskies Nation feel good about them going forward.