The Houston Texans have added another leg to the mix, signing former UConn kicker Chris Freeman on Wednesday.
Freeman’s path to Houston included a stop at the team’s two-day rookie minicamp at the beginning of May, followed by a workout for the franchise last week before the deal got done.
The former Husky spent four seasons at Indiana from 2020-2023 before moving to Connecticut for his final two years. In 2025, Freeman was as steady as they come for the Huskies, going 23 of 26 on field goals for an 88.5% clip and a perfect 52 for 52 on extra points. That added up to 121 points, and it also came with a program record: 12 straight made field goals during the 2025 stretch.
Across his two stints at UConn, the Indiana native piled up 230 points, which puts him No. 3 on Connecticut’s all-time total points list by a kicker. He also sits No. 1 in field goal percentage at 82.7 and shares No. 1 in extra point percentage at 100% with Noe Ruelas and Chad Christen.
Freeman kept the momentum rolling at UConn’s 2026 Pro Day, where he hit 13 of 14 field goals for 92.9%. His long make came from 65 yards, and the only miss was from 63 yards.
Elsewhere, Joe Fagnano has carved out his spot with the Ravens after his record-setting season with the Huskies. He beat out fellow rookie Diego Pavia for the roster spot and got an extended look in Baltimore’s most recent preseason game, finishing 22 of 28 passing with a touchdown and an interception.
In Other News...
UConn Is Suddenly In Another Huge Fight For Elite 2027 Talent
UConns name is back in the mix for another elite national prospect, with Class of 2027 guard Nasir Anderson showing interest in the Huskies alongside several other major programs. The rising recruit has already built a strong resume on the grassroots and international stages, and his profile fits the kind of high-end talent Dan Hurley has been able to keep in the conversation for in recent cycles.
Andersons stock keeps climbing thanks to his standing among the countrys best young players and the impact he made for Team USA on the way to gold at the 2025 FIBA U16 AmeriCup. For UConn, the bigger takeaway is less about any one recruiting battle and more about the pattern: top prospects continue to view Storrs as a serious destination, which keeps Hurley in the thick of these early fights for elite talent. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Is Putting Itself Through A Brutal Test Before Duke
Illinois is wasting no time stress-testing itself for the 2026-27 season. The program has lined up a non-conference slate that features Duke, UConn, North Carolina, Texas Tech and Missouri, a collection that would look daunting in any year and especially so when none of those marquee games are coming to Champaign. Instead, Illinois will have to handle those dates at road venues and neutral sites, with the kind of schedule designed to harden a team before Big Ten play arrives.
For UConn fans, the trip to Illinois stands out as one more reminder that the Huskies remain part of the national measuring stick. Illinois is clearly aiming to sharpen itself against the sports toughest names, and that includes a matchup in Chicago on Dec. 4 at the United Center. It also adds a layer of intrigue because this is not just another high-profile game on the calendar, but one that carries the feel of a rematch atmosphere and a chance for both programs to take an early read on where they stand. [Read more 🡒]