The UConn football program is facing a serious reset. In the span of just a few days, the Huskies have lost their head coach and watched a wave of talent hit the transfer portal. Jim Mora’s departure to Colorado State on Wednesday morning was the first domino to fall, and since then, some of UConn’s most productive players have announced their intentions to leave the program.
Let’s break down the key names and what their exits mean for a team now staring down a major rebuild.
Oumar Diomande, LB
This one stings.
Diomande was part of one of the most productive linebacker duos in college football this season, teaming up with Bryun Parham to form a tackling machine in the heart of UConn’s defense. Both players finished with over 110 tackles - the only pair of teammates in the country to hit that mark in 2025.
With Parham out of eligibility, Diomande’s decision to enter the portal leaves a massive leadership and production void at linebacker. He totaled 111 tackles and three sacks this season and still has two years of eligibility left.
Expect plenty of programs to come calling.
Ben Murawski, OT
Murawski’s name might not have made national headlines, but his presence on the offensive line was felt all season.
The 6-foot-7, 335-pound tackle finally stayed healthy and appeared in all 12 games this year, anchoring a unit that showed real promise. Injuries had limited his impact in previous seasons, but with a clean bill of health and a full season of tape, he’s expected to draw interest from Power Five programs.
Losing a lineman of his size and experience is a big blow for a Huskies team that already had questions up front.
John Neider, WR
Neider’s story is one of development.
Originally a standout high school quarterback, he transitioned to wide receiver at UConn and carved out a solid role behind breakout star Skyler Bell. Neider caught 24 passes for 395 yards and two touchdowns this season, showing reliable hands and big-play potential.
While Bell drew most of the attention, Neider quietly became a key piece of the Huskies’ passing game - and a fan favorite in the process. His departure removes a versatile weapon from the offense and adds another position group to the growing list of offseason concerns.
Cam Chadwick, DB
Chadwick was one of the brightest spots on UConn’s defense in 2025.
The ball-hawking defensive back led the team with four interceptions, including a jaw-dropping three-pick performance against UAB. He also added 63 tackles and four pass breakups, showing a well-rounded skill set in coverage and run support.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Chadwick’s decision to enter the portal is another tough loss for a defense that’s now missing playmakers at every level.
Victor Rosa, RB
Rosa looked like a future star after a breakout freshman campaign, scoring 11 touchdowns and racking up over 650 total yards in Jim Mora’s first year.
But his role steadily diminished over the next three seasons, and in 2025, he found himself buried behind Cam Edwards in the backfield, getting just 28 carries. Rosa’s talent is still there - and he’ll likely get a fresh opportunity elsewhere - but his departure is another reminder of how quickly things can shift in college football.
MJ Flowers, RB
Flowers came to UConn with high expectations after a standout career at Eastern Illinois, where he rushed for over 1,800 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.
But the jump to FBS didn’t go as planned. He managed just 71 yards from scrimmage this year and never found a consistent role in the offense.
With one season of eligibility left, Flowers is back in the portal, hoping for a better fit and a chance to recapture his FCS form.
Kolubah Pewee Jr., CB
Pewee’s UConn tenure never really got off the ground.
The former Georgetown defensive back didn’t see the field this season and will now look for a new home with one year of eligibility remaining. He leaves with 51 career tackles from his time at the FCS level.
Osiris Gilbert, DB
Gilbert is a name to watch.
The freshman defensive back from Georgia made an immediate impact, recording 19 tackles and three pass deflections in his first season. He was a highly recruited prospect with offers from Georgia, Florida State, and Indiana before landing at UConn.
His decision to enter the portal so early in his career is a tough pill to swallow for a program that could’ve built around his upside.
Chris Hudson, DB
Hudson brought experience to the secondary, having appeared in 22 games over his first two seasons.
He redshirted in 2025, preserving two years of eligibility as he now looks for a new opportunity. With his game reps and physical tools, he could be a valuable addition to a team in need of depth at defensive back.
**What’s Next for UConn? **
There’s no sugarcoating it - this is a major turning point for the Huskies. Losing your head coach and a wave of starters in the same week is never ideal, especially when so many of those players were cornerstones on both sides of the ball.
From linebackers to offensive linemen, wideouts to defensive backs, UConn is now in full roster-rebuild mode.
The transfer portal era moves fast. For UConn, the challenge now is to regroup, re-recruit, and reestablish its identity under new leadership.
The pieces leaving are significant, but so is the opportunity to reset. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about the direction this program is headed.