
UConn Huskies (@UConnFootball)
Record: 0 - 0 | Proj: 7 - 5 (#59) | SOS: (#118)

UConn enters 2026 essentially as a rebuilt team under first-year HC Jason Candle, with 65 new players (58 via portal) and only 3 returning starters — the QB competition between Merklinger and Osborne is the most pressing unresolved question heading into fall. New OC Nunzio Campanile (from Syracuse, not Marquel Blackwell) brings a legitimate passing-game pedigree, which is encouraging, but the sheer scale of roster turnover and Candle's mixed Toledo track record tempers expectations.
Key Storylines
- QB competition between Jake Merklinger (Tennessee transfer, former 4-star, 6'3", 173 passing yards/2 TDs in 4 games) and Kalieb Osborne (Toledo transfer, dual-threat, 427 pass + 282 rush yards in 2025) — returnee Tucker McDonald also in the mix, with no clear frontrunner identified through early spring
- Nunzio Campanile hired as OC (not Marquel Blackwell as previously listed) — Campanile brings high-profile passing credentials from Syracuse, where he helped Kyle McCord shatter 24 program records and finish top-10 in Heisman voting in 2024
- Massive roster rebuild under Jason Candle: 65 new players (58 via portal), only 3 returning starters — 17 of the portal adds came from Toledo, giving the new HC a built-in familiarity core but raising questions about team cohesion
- Jason Candle era begins with fanbase optimism but a track record that warrants scrutiny — popular hire with 18 wins in 2 years at UConn (as context), but underperformed relative to expectations at Toledo
- Skyler Bell and Joe Fagnano representing UConn at the NFL Combine signals program is producing talent, but also reinforces the departures contributing to the single-digit returning starter count
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 9/5 | UConn vs Lafayette | -16 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/12 | UConn vs Maryland | +9 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/19 | UConn at Southern Miss | -8 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/26 | UConn at Miami (OH) | +9 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/3 | UConn vs Syracuse | +3.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/10 | UConn at Temple | +3.5 | — | — | — | — |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/24 | UConn vs Massachusetts | -24.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/31 | UConn at Air Force | +6.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/7 | UConn vs North Carolina | +6.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/14 | UConn vs James Madison | +3.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/21 | UConn vs Old Dominion | +2 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/28 | UConn at Wyoming | -0 | — | — | — | — |
Schedule Rating: #118
Future 2027 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/30 | UConn vs Central Connecticut | -29.5W59–13 | 51.5 | W59–13 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/6 | UConn at Syracuse | +7.0L20–27 | 57.5 | L20–27 | U | Y |
| Sat 9/13 | UConn at Delaware | -8.5L41–44 | 52.5 | L41–44 | O | N |
| Sat 9/20 | UConn vs Ball State | -21.0W31–25 | 53.5 | W31–25 | O | N |
| Sat 9/27 | UConn at Buffalo | -3.0W20–17 | 51.5 | W20–17 | U | N |
| Sat 10/4 | UConn vs Florida International | -7.0W51–10 | 52.5 | W51–10 | O | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/18 | UConn at Boston College | -2.5W38–23 | 58.5 | W38–23 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/25 | UConn at Rice | -10.5L34–37 | 48.5 | L34–37 | O | N |
| Sat 11/1 | UConn vs UAB | -10.0W38–19 | 61.5 | W38–19 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/8 | UConn vs Duke | +7.5W37–34 | 63.5 | W37–34 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/15 | UConn vs Air Force | -7.5W26–16 | 64.5 | W26–16 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/22 | UConn at Florida Atlantic | -6.0W48–45 | 64.0 | W48–45 | O | N |
| Sat 12/27 | UConn vs Army | +5.5L16–41 | 41.5 | L16–41 | O | N |
2025 Record: 9 - 4 (Ind: 0 - 0)
Spread Record 6 - 5 - 2 | O/U 9 - 4
2025 class: 141 points #112
2024 class: 134 points #124
2023 class: 36 points #177
2022 class: 112 points #98
Average Class Ranking: #124
Average Recruiting Points: 119
Consistent Poor G5
4 Year Class: #122 - Best: #107 Worst: #177
CFB Crootin Averages
FBS Independents Class: 236 #57
Group of 5 Class: 169 #101
FBS Class: 198 #70
2020 class: 139 points #125
2019 class: 128 points NR
2018 class: 126 points NR
2017 class: 122 points #104
Average Class Ranking: #71
Average Recruiting Points: 129
2026 Portal Class #75 - 56 players, 84 Avg
2025 Portal Class #89 - 26 players, 83 Avg
2024 Portal Class #77 - 24 players, 84 Avg
2023 Portal Class #110 - 13 players, 0 Avg
2022 Portal Class #105 - 9 players, 82 Avg
2021 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
| Player Name | COMP | ATT | PCT | YDS | TD | INT | YPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalieb Osborne (Tr) | 32 | 52 | 62% | 427 | 3 | 0 | 8.2 |
| Jake Merklinger (Tr) | 13 | 24 | 54% | 173 | 2 | 0 | 7.2 |
| Player Name | CAR | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenji Christian | 105 | 528 | 4 | 5.0 | 37 |
| Trey Cornist (Tr) | 104 | 469 | 1 | 4.5 | 29 |
| Kalieb Osborne (Tr) | 51 | 282 | 2 | 5.5 | 33 |
| Cyncir Bowers (Tr) | 63 | 249 | 2 | 4.0 | 26 |
| Player Name | REC | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamar Porter | 17 | 219 | 1 | 12.9 | 56 |
| Kenji Christian | 17 | 193 | 1 | 11.4 | 42 |
| Ryder Treadway (Tr) | 13 | 176 | 3 | 13.5 | 24 |
| Javon Brown (Tr) | 8 | 156 | 1 | 19.5 | 46 |
| Top Def | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K'Von Sherman (Tr) | 93 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Esean Carter | 36 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Luke Murphy (Tr) | 36 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Anas Luqman (Tr) | 33 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Sacks | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K'Von Sherman (Tr) | 93 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Anas Luqman (Tr) | 33 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Esean Carter | 36 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Chamberlain Campbell (Tr) | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Pass D | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anas Luqman (Tr) | 33 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Zakaih Saez (Tr) | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| K'Von Sherman (Tr) | 93 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
Overall Returning Production: 47% #134
Offense Returning Production: 46% #132
Defense Returning Production: 47% #119
UConn's Official Roster
2026 Portal Class #75
56 Commits, 84.3 Avg Rating
60% of 2026 Roster from Portal, 57% TY
2026 Talent Rating: 623.00 #76
Offense Talent #72 | Defense Talent #78
2025 #95 | 2024 #107 | 2023 #111 | 2022 #129
2026 Record: 0 - 0
2026 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0
2025 Record: 9 - 4
2025 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 6 - 5 - 2 | Totals: 9 - 4
2024 Record: 9 - 4
2024 Conf Record: 1 - 0
Spread: 8 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 8 - 5
2023 Record: 3 - 9
2023 Conf Record: 1 - 0
Spread: 6 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7
Four Year Record: 21 - 17
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 20 - 15 - 3
Four Year Conference Record: 2 - 0
2022 Record: 6 - 7
2022 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 9 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 4 - 9
2021 Record: 1 - 11
2021 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 6 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 5
2020 Record: 0 - 0
2020 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0
2019 Record: 2 - 10
2019 Conf Record: 0 - 8
Spread: 5 - 7 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 7
Eight Year Record: 30 - 45
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 40 - 32 - 3
Eight Year Conference Record: 3 - 8
| UConn Recent Bowl History | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Bowl | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result |
| 2025 | Fenway Bowl | UConn vs Army | +5.5 | 41.5 | L 16 - 41 |
| 2024 | Fenway Bowl | UConn vs North Carolina | +2.0 | 53.5 | W 27 - 14 |
| 2022 | Beach Bowl | UConn vs Marshall | +11.5 | 42.0 | L 14 - 28 |
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Expl | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Expl | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | .31 (9) | 1.34 (26) | 46% (29) | 4.58 (14) | 30.4 (36) | 41% | 71% | .22 (113) | 1.2 (42) | 47% (126) | 3.8 (81) | 24.9 (-1) |
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Expl | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Expl | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | .19 (67) | 1.22 (99) | 42% (82) | 4.09 (51) | 31.5 (17) | 37% | 47% | .1 (25) | 1.18 (26) | 39% (37) | 3.36 (26) | 28.8 (64) |
More Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 28:50 | 21.2 | 41% | 71% | 4.9 | 48.3 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 6.1 | 2.7 | 0 |
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 27:16 | 19.1 | 37% | 47% | 5 | 50.4 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 5.2 | 1.6 | 2 |
Overall Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 13 | 35.3 | 40.3 | 33.5 | 46% (29) | 4.58 (14) | 0.2 | 21 | 449 | 165 | 284 | 5.3 | 45% (110) | 54% (25) | 46% (44) | 47% (22) | 12% (11) | .31 (9) |
| 2025 Defense | 13 | 27 | 19.5 | 32.2 | 46.6% (126) | 3.8 (81) | 1.3 | - | - | - | - | - | 55% (121) | 44% (18) | 50% (133) | 43% (89) | 15% (91) | .22 (113) |
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 13 | 31.9 | 36.9 | 26 | 41.8% (82) | 4.09 (51) | 1.2 | 19 | 371 | 184 | 187 | 5.2 | 54% (39) | 46% (96) | 43% (82) | 40% (84) | 13% (30) | .19 (67) |
| 2024 Defense | 13 | 23.1 | 16.3 | 34.4 | 39.4% (37) | 3.36 (26) | 1.1 | - | - | - | - | - | 49% (45) | 51% (84) | 42% (63) | 37% (23) | 17% (53) | .1 (25) |
Run Game Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 13 | 45% (110) | 46% (44) | 30.9 | 164.7 | 5.3 | 26 (36) | .21 (24) | 2.93 (69) | 82% (8) | 6% (3) | 1.04 (38) |
| 2025 Defense | 13 | 55% (121) | 50% (133) | - | - | - | - | .21 (123) | 3.37 (132) | 67% (32) | 10% (70) | 0.95 (65) |
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 13 | 54% (39) | 43% (82) | 35.7 | 184.1 | 5.2 | 22 (55) | .18 (40) | 3.07 (58) | 77% (39) | 7% (13) | 1.03 (45) |
| 2024 Defense | 13 | 49% (45) | 42% (63) | - | - | - | - | .05 (29) | 2.76 (31) | 63% (18) | 10% (78) | 0.89 (28) |
Pass Game Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 13 | 54% (25) | 47% (22) | 23.6 | 34.7 | 283.8 | 8.2 | 12 | 30 (14) | 1 (1) | .44 (11) | 1.6 (48) | 32% (74) | 29% (83) | .48 (14) | 6% (55) | 2.5 (1) |
| 2025 Defense | 13 | 44% (18) | 43% (89) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 (55) | .28 (83) | 1.6 (68) | 26% (132) | 33% (115) | .4 (113) | 5% (95) | 2 (81) |
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 13 | 46% (96) | 40% (84) | 15.8 | 28.6 | 186.8 | 6.5 | 11.8 | 23 (41) | 9 (48) | .23 (85) | 1.5 (114) | 30% (47) | 30% (88) | .29 (86) | 6% (87) | 2 (82) |
| 2024 Defense | 13 | 51% (84) | 37% (23) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9 (76) | .17 (35) | 1.5 (37) | 32% (72) | 26% (17) | .28 (57) | 7% (23) | 2.1 (97) |
(2/17) QB1? Osborne (Toledo) vs Merklinger (Tenn) ❌
(2/17) RB 4 portals, none really stand out. Have depth ❌
(2/17) WR 10 portal adds, 6 from Toledo. Should be good ❌
(2/17) OL 10 portals, have 3 w starting exp, some depth ❌
(2/17) DL 11 portals, only 4 have real exp, not sure ❌
(2/17) DB 9 portals, one starting S and lots of PTers ❌
Overall
Team Info
2025 Record
Ind 0 - 0
5 Year Profile
'26 Profile
Returning Production
From 2025
Roster
Talent Info
Talent Profile
(OC) Marquel Blackwell 1
(DC) Ryan Manalac 1
2026 Schedule
Information
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Notes
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Snaps Returning
Upperclass
Portals
Top '26 Incoming Portals
Top Players
Top Performers on Roster
Recruits
Top '26 Incoming Recruits
Overall
Four Year Ratings Profile
Offense
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Defense
Four Year Ratings Profile
Offense
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Defense
2025 Ratings
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(OC) Marquel Blackwell 1
(DC) Ryan Manalac 1
Records
Offense
Four Year Offense Pts Per Play
Defense
Four Year Defense Pts Per Play
Overall
Four Year Net Pts Per Play