Image courtesy of UConn Athletics

Everything went UConn’s way in 2024. They had a favorable schedule which featured eight home games. They also had an experienced team back returning that led the way for a 9-4 season and a win over North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl. It was a magical season but that is in the past now. Jim Mora and his staff are ready to move forward and they are excited about getting to work this spring.

The Huskies will have 27 new transfers and freshmen coming int this season. The transfer in particular are expected in augment the roster and filling the gaps that need to be filled.

“We’re excited to get back out here and get to work,” stated Mora who met the media on Tuesday morning. “I think the players were anxious to do it, they worked really hard this winter.  Obviously a lot of new faces and just see them out here working together was good. I thought it was a good start and a long ways to go but I think a lot of them are walking off the field here with a smile on their face.”

Quarterback is a position the Huskies should be strong at. Joe Fagnano could be back as a grad student. Fagnano had a terrific season finishing with 1,631 yards, 20 touchdown passes and only 4 interceptions.  The Huskies also return Nick Evers who transferred in last season along with former Wachusett standout Tucker McDonald and soon to be super talented sophomore Cole Welliver from Texas. Former Staples standout Caleb Smith is also a part of the quarterback rotation. Evers got a taste of staring last season playing in five games and throwing for 918 yards. He is a dual threat who is a good system fit in the Huskies offense.

Helping the running backs will Cam Edwards. Mel Brown and Victor Rosa who are both back after taking a lesser role last season. More will be expected of them once again this season. UConn will always be a run first program offensively, no matter who is the backfield, Expect the Huskies to once again make that the focal point this spring.

The return of Skylar Bell helps the receiving corp and the entire offense. It appeared as if Bell was leaving the program after the season but he chose to stay. Reymello Murphy and Zack Drawdy are both seniors who along with Bell could lead the receiving corp. Local products Teddy Williams and Jackson Harper will have an opportunity to make a difference this spring and carve a bigger role ahead of fall camp.

Tight end Louis Hansen leads a talented tight end room that features two high end foreign talents in Germany’s Alex Honig and Clemens Richter. Both should see a big role this spring. The tight end plays a big role in the offense so expect the Huskies to be in a lot of 13 personnel this spring.

The offensive line will be the area to watch this spring. Gone are Chase Lundt, Valentin Senn and Chris Fortin. Replacing that much production is hard. Add to that a new offensive line coach in Christian Pace and the Huskies have a lot of moving parts. Center Wes Hoeh will be expected to lead the group. Redshirt sophomore Jayden Bass and Redshirt Junior Ben Murawski are both expected to step up and start inside at guard. Redshirt Sophmores Toriyan Johnson and Carsten Cassidy are both in the mix to replace Senn and Lundt at the two tackle spots. Notre Dame transfer and former Lawrence Academy star Ty Chan will also be in the mix.

Defensively, the front seven loses a lot of talent so there be a lot of new faces. On the defensive line, Iowa State transfer Trent Jones will be counted on to come in and provide a much needed pass rush. Fellow transfers Ben Smiley and Stephon Wright are expected to come in and add some much needed experience. Kervins Choute is another player to watch at defensive end. He can also kick inside and play tackle in sub packages. Shrewsbury’s Cooper Ackerman is another player to watch this spring. The redshirt freshmen should see an expanded role.

Linebacker is another position where the Huskies are depleted. Replacing key veteran like Tui Faumina-Brown and Jayden McDonald will not be easy. Grad Aaron Key and redshirt senior Byrum Parham are both expected to step up and take on greater roles.

In the secondary, the Huskies must replace Malik Dixon-Williams and Durante Jones. Both leave big shoes to fill but UConn does return Lee Mollette III and Kamo’i Latu. Chris Hudson and Cam Chadwick will also be in the mix. The addition of Penn State transfer safety Tyrece Mills should also help add depth and experience. The Huskies will have a plenty of competition in the secondary this spring.

Replicating last season’s success will be tough but UConn has enough back and a favorable enough schedule that seven to eight wins and another bowl victory are all certainly within reach.