By Rob Gullo/Andy Close
NEFJ Correspondents

Last year provided an entertaining football season in the state of Connecticut for high school football and this year isn’t expected to be any different.

Across the state, Connecticut boasts some of the best football talent in the New England region. This season, many of the top players return to their respective high schools for another season.

Here is our Top 20 Connecticut high school football players returning for the 2025 season:

Anthony Robinson, QB Windsor

Anthony Robinson helped lead the Windsor Warriors to an undefeated regular season record last season as Windsor was the No. 1 team in the state for much of the season. He helped Windsor win the 2025 ‘Grip it and Rip it’ Tournament that New Canaan held. Robinson also committed to play football in college for Central Connecticut State University prior to the 2025 season.

Andrew Esposito, WR New Canaan

New Canaan wide receiver Andrew Esposito returns as one of the most dynamic players in the state. He helped New Canaan win a third state title last season while being named All-State and was the CT MaxPreps Player of the Year for the 2024 season. The 6-foot-4 wideout had 1,280 yards on offense last season while scoring 21 touchdowns and had a pair of interceptions. He is committed to play for Villanova University.

Hayden Allard, RB Killingly

Killingly finished last season as the only undefeated Connecticut high school football team, and Hayden Allard was a big reason for that. Allard was a bellcow last season- rushing the ball 221 times for 2,117 yards and 42 rushing touchdowns.

Jacob Romanowski, OL Ansonia

Jacob Romanowski anchored the Ansonia offensive line last season that saw 2024 Walter Camp High School Player of the Year Quintez Whittle rush for over 2,600 yards and 36 touchdowns last season. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman is expected to be a force for the Chargers’ offensive line this season.

Thad Balzi, QB/DL/LB, Brookfield

Thad Balzi is one of many key returnees for this year’s Brookfield team. Last season, Balzi helped lead Brookfield to the Class M championship game. He recorded 101 tackles and 6.5 sacks on defense. On offense, he threw for 928 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing just two interceptions.

Brandon Esson DE, Danbury

Esson had several Division I offers, including Boston College, before ultimately committing to the University of Maine over the summer. Standing at 6-4, Esson presents an imposing frame and makes a habit out of finding himself in the opponents’ backfield.

Aiden Hansen, ATH, Torrington

A 3-star recruit, Hansen is one of the top returning running backs in the state. He helped lead the Raiders to a 9-1 regular season and the No. 3 seed in the Class MM state tournament. In a loss to Masuk in the Class MM quarterfinals, he carried 13 times for 190 yards.

Jayden Concepcion, LB, East Haven

A junior, Concepcion currently holds Division I offers from Syracuse, Boston College, North Texas, and UMass, among others. Standing at 6-0 and 205 pounds, Concepcion was part of an East Haven team that went 6-4 a year ago.

Joel Budd, OL, Enfield

Just a freshman last season, Budd already holds an FBS offer from Syracuse. Standing at 6-8, 305 pounds, it’s easy to see why he already caught the attention of Division I coaches before playing a down of high school football. He played last season for the Stafford co-op, and will be suiting up for Enfield this season. He was an Under Armour Freshman All-American last season.

Joey Montalvo, ATH, East Catholic

East Catholic’s Joey Montalvo is an all-around football player. He can line up at almost any skilled position and excel. Last season as a junior, he scored 28 total touchdowns and led the state in both receiving yards (1,548) and receiving touchdowns (21.) On defense, he had 56 tackles, four interceptions, and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns last season on special teams.

Dante Casdia, RB, Glastonbury

Last season, Dante Casdia became one of the best running backs in the state of Connecticut as a sophomore. Casdia rushed for 1,504 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. Casdia earned All-Conference in each of his first two seasons and earned an All-State selection as a sophomore.

Aaron Champagne, QB, Masuk

A first-year starter at quarterback, all Champagne did was help guide Masuk to the Class MM state title in 2024 as a sophomore. He completed 135-of-206 passes (65.5%) for 2,580 yards and a 33-10 touchdown to interception ratio.

Robbie Manning, QB, Fairfield Prep

Manning took the reins of the Fairfield Prep offense last season, and the results were impressive. He went 170-of-282 (60.3%), throwing for 2,556 yards and a staggering 32-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also showed his ability as a dual-threat, rushing for 202 yards and six touchdowns for a team that was 10-2 a year ago.

AJ Tatro, OL, Sheehan

The Sheehan Titans were one of the best smaller schools in the state of Connecticut last year, becoming the Class SS runner-ups. Offensive linemen AJ Tatro was a big reason for that, who returns as a four-year starter in his senior season and is expected to anchor their line. Tatro was a Third-Team GameTime CT selection from last season.

Dae’Sean Graves, WR Holy Cross

Graves burst onto the scene in 2024, accounting for 1,215 yards on 74 receptions, an average of 16.4 yards per catch. Quite simply, he is one of the top returning receivers in the state. If that weren’t enough, he also had 38 tackles and three interceptions from his cornerback position.

Nick Pavia, DE, Newtown

Pavia was an all-state defensive end for Newtown last season, and will again be one of the leaders for a team that went to the Class L semifinals in 2024. Pavia was one of the best in the state at getting after the quarterback in 2024, accounting for 12 sacks as well as 23 tackles for loss.

Quincy Lawson WR/DE, Bristol Central

Lawson is a two-year starter for the Rams, excelling on both offense at wide receiver and on defense as an edge rusher. At 6-3, 200 pounds, Lawson has a solid frame and had seven receiving touchdowns for the Rams, who were 9-2 a year ago, averaging 17.1 yards per catch. He’s being looked at by a number of Division II programs.

Josiah Sims, DE/RB, Newington

Josiah Sims is a freak athlete that excels in not only just football, but basketball too. Sims was an All-Conference selection that was a two-way starter for the Newington Nor’Easters. On defense, he tallied 64 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt. On offense, he scored 12 total touchdowns and gained 745 yards. Sims currently has an official offer from Wagner.

Michael Allen, OL, Killingly

Killingly had one of the best offenses in the state of Connecticut last season. Michael Allen was a standout on the offensive line, being selected as a Second-Team All-State selection last season. He helped Hayden Allard rush for over 2,000 yards and 40 touchdowns last season. This season, Killingly will look for his leadership on the offensive line.

Chase Sylvia, LB, Brookfield

Sylvia was a defensive leader for a Brookfield team that advanced to the Class M championship before dropping a 21-20 heartbreaker to St. Joseph. Sylvia led a defense that allowed just 7.6 points per game with 136 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Brookfield had four shutouts in 2024 and didn’t allow more than 14 points in any game until the state championship contest.