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UConn head football coach Jason Candle has dramatically reshaped the Huskies’ roster for the 2026 spring semester, announcing the addition of 64 new players.
The massive recruitment haul is headlined by a staggering 57 new players joining via the transfer portal, including 21 players arriving directly from Power Four programs. The incoming class is balanced across both sides of the ball, featuring 29 offensive additions, 32 defensive recruits, and three specialists, alongside seven early-enrolled freshmen.
The quarterback room sees a significant infusion of talent and experience, led by Tennessee transfer Jacob Merklinger. A former four-star recruit, Merklinger appeared in four games for the Volunteers last season, showcasing his efficiency by throwing for two touchdowns and 118 yards in a single outing against East Tennessee State. Joining him is Kalieb Osborne from Toledo, who provides a dual-threat dimension after starting the Rockets’ bowl game against Louisville, where he combined for 244 total yards. The youth movement at the position is anchored by true freshman Bo Polston, an Indiana state champion who accounted for over 80 touchdowns during his high school career.
The ground game receives a major boost through a deep rotation of transfer running backs. Cyncir Bowers arrives from West Virginia after a productive 2025 season where he tallied 365 yards from scrimmage. He is joined by Kenji Christian, a veteran from Toledo who posted 546 yards and four touchdowns last fall. The Huskies also added speed and power through Central Michigan’s Trey Cornist, Syracuse’s Jaden Hart, and Northwestern’s Dashun Reeder, the latter of whom turned heads with a 79-yard touchdown run against Oregon last season.
Candle targeted size and athleticism for the receiving corps, bringing in several targets standing 6-foot-2 or taller. Oklahoma State transfer Cam Abshire offers a 6-foot-4 frame and All-American pedigree from the Division II level, while Syracuse transfer Emanuel Ross brings Power Four experience after a promising 2025 campaign. The roster also leans heavily on familiar faces from Candle’s previous stops, adding a quartet of Toledo transfers in Julian Allen, Javon Brown, Kamren Flowers, and Ryder Treadway. The group is rounded out by Youngstown State’s Ky “Flash” Wilson, a dynamic playmaker who amassed over 750 all-purpose yards last year.
At tight end, the Huskies added 6-foot-5 Boston College transfer Matt Ragan, a former four-star recruit, and Wheeling University’s Alex Godavitarne, who proved to be a reliable red-zone threat with five touchdowns last season.
The offensive line overhaul focuses on massive physical profiles, exemplified by 6-foot-8 Dominic Rivera and 6-foot-6 Raphael Greene-Nyarko, both transferring from Toledo. Depth is further bolstered by Virginia Tech’s Hannes Hammer and Louisville’s Fred Johnson, while veteran Terrence Moore brings 40 games of experience from his time at Pittsburgh. On the defensive side, the line is anchored by All-MAC selection Esean Carter, who recorded three sacks for Toledo last season. He is joined by a host of Power Four talent including Duke’s Desmond Aladuge, Texas’s Melvin Hills III, and Ohio State’s Joshua Mickens, a former top-150 national recr
The linebacker unit adds significant tackling production, most notably Penn transfer John Lista, who recorded 78 tackles last season, and Toledo’s K’Von Sherman, a first-team All-MAC selection who led his team with 94 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. In the secondary, the Huskies added high-upside players like former four-star recruit Renick Dorilas from Rutgers and Duke transfer Moussa Kane. Experience at safety comes from Fresno State’s Jayden Davis and Oregon State’s Zakaih Saez, both of whom have proven ability to disrupt the passing game and contribute in run support.
UConn also addressed its special teams units with three distinct additions. Mike Baker joins from Ole Miss to compete at kicker, while Australian punter Tommy Warner arrives from Northwest Missouri State after an All-MIAA season. The specialist group is completed by long snapper David LaGanga, a decorated transfer from Kentucky with previous All-Conference honors at Lehigh.