UConn Football: What to Watch at 2026 Pro Day

While the 2026 iteration of the UConn Huskies will have a completely different look, the 2025 season featured numerous star players who will look to prove themselves at the program’s Pro Day on March 24. It’s time to take a look at some key players for the upcoming event, as well as what fans should expect to see.

UConn Football: 2026 Pro Day

The UConn football Pro Day will be hosting numerous NFL scouts as the program looks to highlight their upperclassmen graduating and pursuing their dream of playing professional football. The Huskies had a number of key contributors this year during their incredible season, and a large portion of them are now leaving for the draft. With that in mind, we’ll take a better look at key players attending the event and what fans should expect.

What Happens at a Pro Day?

Like the NFL Combine, Pro Days involve testing and drill work for NFL scouts and the media to see. Each school usually holds their own Pro Day, although some smaller schools may ask if their players can attend bigger events to increase exposure.

As far as testing goes, players will run the standard 40-yard dash, shuttle, bench press, and other drills many associate with the NFL combine. They will also work on individual and positional drills to the scouts in attendance. Last year, 30 NFL scouts and a few CFL teams attended UConn’s Pro Day. That number may change this year, but it shows there will be plenty of eyes on these players.

Players to Watch

Joe Fagnano, Quarterback

It’s hard to believe that just a couple years ago Joe Fagnano was an unknown name nationally, and to many UConn fans, too. Yet once he replaced Nick Evers last season, Fagnano showcased that he’s an elite playmaker at the position.

In 2025, Fagnano had 3,448 passing yards with 28 touchdowns. However, even more impressive is that he just threw one interception all season. While not necessarily the most mobile player, Fagnano is cerebral and not afraid to take chances with the football (despite having just one interception). He helped lead UConn to back-to-back bowl game appearances, and looked good throwing the football at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

At the UConn Pro Day, it won’t be Fagnano’s testing numbers that will be important. Instead, it will be his positional drills that will help scouts determine his value at the next level. Fagnano struggled at times with this aspect at the NFL Combine. Yet, with working with receivers he’s familiar with, he may be able to prove that was more of a one-time hiccup than a future outcome.

Skyler Bell, Wide Receiver

Without question, many eyes will be on receiver Skyler Bell at the UConn Pro Day. The 2025 Biletnikoff Award finalist had 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, earning First Team All-American honors. Whether or not Bell wants to improve his absurdly elite testing numbers from the NFL Combine remain to be seen. However, the wideout is one of the most underrated players in this draft cycle, and will be a popular name appear in “sleeper” articles as we get closer to draft season.

Fortunately for Bell, his college tape at UConn has shown that he is a player capable playing at the next level. He has a unique blend of size and speed that allow him to play both inside and out. Further, he’s a true competitor at heart. While the aforementioned Fagnano was opting out of playing opportunity at the end of the year, Bell embraced it. And, with his time at the Shrine Bowl being limited due to a strain, it’ll be important for scouts to see him perform in position drills at the Pro Day.

Bryun Parham, Linebacker

Bryun Parham is a player that was quickly forgotten about after he transferred to UConn from Washington (after redshirting). The 2026 linebacker class looks to be great. However, teams could find a diamond in the rough with Parham.

After a fantastic 2023 season with San Jose State (106 tackles, 2.5 sacks), Parham transferred to Washington. However, after just four games he decided to take a redshirt. Originally thinking Washington was going to develop him, Parham didn’t feel that was the case and chose to transfer to UConn.

Under head coach Jim Mora and the Huskies, Parham thrived in 2025. The linebacker led the team with 116 tackles and 10.5 sacks, while forcing two fumbles. While he could project as WILL linebacker depth at the next level, testing will be incredibly important for Parham. Good weight room and on-field testing metrics could help him land with an NFL team. After all, his production was impossible to miss while he was on the field. Parham is a unique blend at the position that can rush the passer and play the run – meaning early-down work is feasible in his future.

SACK! Bryun Parham! 💪 pic.twitter.com/c27JdMpI1k

— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) October 18, 2025

Louis Hansen, Tight End

An underrated player within the UConn offense, Hansen is an intriguing option for NFL teams in a deep tight end class.

The Huskies offense didn’t utilize one primary tight end. Instead, they opted to deploy multiple throughout the game. Because of that, the entire room suffered statistically. However, statistics alone shouldn’t be the reason a player gets noticed (just look at Syracuse TE Dan Villari). With that in mind, Hansen is a unique blend of size, speed, and strength at the position.

Invited to the 2026 Hula Bowl, Hansen showcased elite pass-catching ability. He showed strong hands through contact, and his size made it difficult for defenders to disrupt the ball.

A big receiving day for UConn Huskies tight end Louis Hansen on Day 3 of the 2026 Hula Bowl.

Route-running✅️
Hands✅️
Toe Tap✅️#UConnFootball #HulaBowl #LeagueWinners #HuskiesOverEveryone #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/2MR35a11Xo

— The League Winners (@LeagueWinnersCF) January 8, 2026

While there could be some concerns about blocking at the next level, tight ends are historically project players. That is, many aren’t expected to be impact players from the moment they’re drafted. Instead, many are developed based on traits or ceiling they showcased in college. These traits are what make Hansen a viable option for NFL teams.

For Hansen, testing at the UConn Pro Day will be massive for his NFL future. If he surprises in the on-field testing (which I think he should), and is able to perform well during positional drills, then there’s a real chance Hansen finds a spot going forward.