The UConn football program is undergoing a full-scale transformation - and the numbers back it up. With the transfer portal window now closed, the Huskies have officially added 64 new players to the roster under head coach Jason Candle. That’s not just a facelift; that’s a foundational rebuild.
Of those 64 additions, 57 are transfers and seven are early-enrollee freshmen. The breakdown is significant: 29 on offense, 32 on defense, and three specialists.
Even more telling - 21 of those transfers are coming from Power Four programs, signaling that Candle and his staff aren’t just looking for depth. They’re aiming for impact.
Quarterback Room Gets Crowded - and Competitive
The Huskies didn’t waste any time retooling the most important position on the field. Three new quarterbacks are in the mix: Jake Merklinger, Kalieb Osborne, and Bo Polston.
All have intriguing upside, and all will be competing for the keys to Candle’s offense. Merklinger, a former high-profile recruit, headlines the group, but don’t sleep on Osborne’s dual-threat ability or Polston’s arm talent.
The competition in camp should be fierce - and healthy.
Running Back Additions Bring Burst and Balance
UConn’s backfield is now flush with options, and more importantly, with production. Trey Cornist brings 470 yards of experience from Central Michigan.
Dashun Reeder averaged a staggering 10.1 yards per carry in limited action at Northwestern. Cyncir Bowers contributed both as a rusher and receiver at West Virginia, and Jaden Hart brings a versatile skill set from Syracuse.
Add in Kenji Christian - one of Candle’s early gets from Toledo - and the Huskies have a room full of backs who can attack defenses in different ways.
Wide Receiver Room: Young, Deep, and Full of Potential
This group is going to be one to watch. Returning wideout Shamar Porter will be a key piece, but he’ll have plenty of new faces around him.
Cam Abshire, a 6-foot-4 target who was productive at Division II Emory & Henry before joining Oklahoma State, brings size and upside. Emmanuel Ross comes in from Syracuse with similar production, while Ky “Flash” Wilson adds speed from Youngstown State via Slippery Rock.
Logan Barnes, a multi-sport athlete from Indiana, headlines the incoming freshman receivers. At 6-foot-2, he’s a raw but intriguing talent who played quarterback in high school and excelled in basketball, baseball, and track - a true all-around athlete.
Then there’s the Toledo connection. Julian Allen, Javon Brown, Kamren Flowers, Zy’Marion Lang, Ryder Treadway, and Jediyah Willoughby are all making the move to Storrs.
Treadway, in particular, flashed early as a freshman with 176 yards and three touchdowns. Most of this group is still developing, but the potential is there - and Candle clearly sees something in their upside.
Tight Ends and Offensive Line Get Reinforcements
At tight end, UConn adds Alex Godvaritine from Division II Wheeling, where he caught five touchdowns as a senior. He’s joined by Matt Ragan, a 6-foot-5 Massachusetts native transferring in from Boston College. Both bring size and red-zone potential.
The offensive line - a unit that needed both depth and experience - gets nine new faces. Four come from Toledo, reinforcing the pipeline Candle is building.
Three others arrive from Power Four programs. Hannes Hammer played in five games for Virginia Tech, Fred Johnson saw action for Louisville, and Christian Richter logged eight appearances for Marshall.
Raphael Greene-Nyarko and Ben Mulholland also bring game reps from Toledo and Houston Christian, respectively. This group isn’t just big - it’s battle-tested.
Defensive Overhaul: Speed, Size, and Experience
The defensive side of the ball might be where UConn made its biggest splash. Twelve new defensive backs, seven linebackers, three EDGE players, and 10 defensive linemen are joining the fold.
Up front, Desmond Aladuge brings ACC experience from Duke, while Chamberlain Campbell, Esean Carter, and Avery Dunn all played major roles at Toledo last season. Carter, a Third Team All-MAC selection, adds proven production. Campbell and Dunn, both former Power Four players, bring length and athleticism.
Melvin Hills (Texas) and Joshua Mickens (Ohio State) come from elite programs, and while their reps were limited, their ceilings are high. Andrew Laurich (Colorado State) and Anas Luqman (Ohio) bring experience and consistency to the defensive line rotation. EDGE rusher Shamar Riser-Pressley played in 11 games for Buffalo last season, while two others are promising high school prospects.
At linebacker, K’von Sherman is a major get. A First Team All-MAC selection at Toledo, he brings leadership and production.
Rickey Williams, another former Rocket, played in 13 games last season. John Lista put up 78 tackles at Penn, proving he can find the football.
Luke Murphy (Coastal Carolina) and Zakaih Saez (Oregon State) round out a group that’s suddenly deep, experienced, and versatile.
Specialists: Filling in the Gaps
The Huskies also addressed special teams with three additions. Mike Baker, who was the backup kicker at Ole Miss, adds depth and competition. Punter Tommy Warner comes from Northwest Missouri State, and long snapper David LaGanga arrives from Kentucky by way of Lehigh.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just a roster refresh - it’s a full-on reload. Jason Candle and his staff have brought in a massive wave of talent, experience, and potential.
With 64 new players, including 21 from Power Four programs, the Huskies are sending a clear message: they’re not here to rebuild slowly. They’re here to compete - and they’re doing it with a roster that suddenly looks a whole lot more dangerous.