Courtesy of UConn Athletics

A new era of UConn Football kicks off today with the start of the first spring practice of the Jason Candle era.

Candle replaces Jim Mora who left for Colorado State in late November. Candle came to Storrs from the University of Toledo where he built one of the best program in the MAC. Candle had a record of 81-44. He won three bowl games and two MAC Championships. He was a two-time MAC Coach of the Year (2017, 2023).

Candle has assembled a good staff headlined by his two coordinator hires in offensive coordinator Nunzio Campinile who comes to Storrs from Syracuse and defensive coordinator Ryan Manalac who comes over from Pitt. Both have strong northeast ties.

The UConn roster will be unrecognizable to Huskies fans as 58 new players have been brought into the program. Many are coming to Storrs with Candle from Toledo. The spring will be vitally important to get all of these guys on the same page.

Here are three things to watch for this spring with the Huskies.

1. New faces: As I mentioned, there 58 new players on this roster. It will be important to get them on the same page from the first practice on. The good, many of them are coming over from Toledo with Candle so it will be more about getting to know the new staff and getting acclimated to going to school at UConn. Spring practices are more important than ever. Getting buy in and getting guys to gel as one cohesive unit will be a prominent part of Candle’s first spring.

2. Quarterback competition: Candle and his staff have assembled a talented quarterback room but the starting job is wide open. Tennessee transfer Jake Merklinger and Toledo transfer Kalieb Osborne will both get a crack at it as will returning quarterbacks Tucker McDonald and Tyler Smith. Do not rule true freshmen Bo Polston either. Candle has said that the staff will take their time with this decision. I would not expect a starter to be named until fall camp. Nonetheless, this should be a fun competition to watch.

3. Replacing familiar faces: UConn must replace big time production on both sides of the ball. It will not be easy replacing guys like Joe Fagnano, Cam Edwards, Skyler Bell, Bryun Parham or Oumar Diomande but Candle and his staff has brought in a lot of talent and we will get to know many of those players this spring.

What to look for this spring: It is all about getting acclimated to UConn and figuring out which guys can make an impact. Candle and his staff have brought a lot of talented players. Now comes the hard part. Teaching them the new offense, defense and getting them on the same. It is why you get 15 practices. Bringing back the spring game was smart as well. It should an interesting six weeks coming up in Storrs.