The UConn Huskies football team will look to bounce-back in a big way in 2024.
STORRS, Ct. – For those watching in 2024, it’s easy to forget that the UConn Huskies football program used to be a successful one. Under Randy Edsall’s stint as coach, the Huskies ranked in the AP Top 25 in three seasons, and went 32-19 from 2007-2010. Since Edsall’s departure, the Huskies are yet to surpass six wins in a single season. In fact, from 2018 through 2021, the University of Connecticut football program produced a record of 4-32 and left the American conference. The last two seasons have trended in the right direction, but still have led to very little success.
UConn athletics is not a bad place overall, with the men’s basketball team chasing a three-peat of national championships and the women’s team projecting to post a championship-level season. What may transpire on the football field, though, is still to be determined.
The Rebirth of the Football Program: The Jim Mora Era
Jim Mora Jr., son of NFL coach Jim Mora, joined the UConn football staff in 2021, and became the full-time head coach in 2022. This was considered one of the first steps in rebuilding the football program. Mora had a ton of experience before joining the Huskies staff. He was the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks in the 2000’s, and was the head coach for six seasons at UCLA from 2012-2017. And with him at the helm, UConn had perhaps the best the season the program has had since Edsall’s departure (the first time).
“Compare that (UConn’s records under Mora) to what UConn was prior, and it’s night and day,” UConn Sports Network broadcaster Adam Giardino said in a recent conversation. “He’s the second coming savior of this football program.”
In 2022, UConn went 6-7 while making their first Bowl since 2015. That season also included wins against Fresno State and 19th ranked Liberty. Despite a bowl loss to Rasheen Ali and Marshall, the future looked bright in Connecticut. Mora’s second season as head coach did not go as well. The Huskies started 1-9 and only ended up winning three games.
They lost four games by one possession, including a missed game-tying extra point attempt against Utah State. But after a great season from QB Ta’Quan Roberson and All-American offensive tackle Christian Haynes (both are no longer with UConn), many are curious for what Mora’s third season may have in store.
Additions and Losses From the Huskies 2023 Squad
What makes last season more frustrating for Huskies fans is that a ton of their talent from the past two seasons are gone. Roberson transferred to Kansas State, and their 2022 starting quarterback, Zion Turner, took his talents to Jacksonville State. So the quarterback room will definitely be shaken up in 2024.
Not only that, but their top two pass catchers in yardage, Justin Joly and Cam Ross, have new homes this year. The NFL also stole perhaps the Huskies best two players. All-American Christian Haynes was a third round pick of the Seahawks, and UConn also lost Jackson Mitchell to Carolina, who many felt was the glue of UConn’s defense last season. Those two pieces are huge.
The main edition, though, has to be Nick Evers, a quarterback out of Wisconsin. He was a four-star prospect who committed to Oklahoma, then went to Wisconsin for more playing time. Now he finds his way in Connecticut to finally become a QB1 at the collegiate level. With his talent, Huskies fans have to hope he can settle what has been a shaky QB situation in Storrs. UConn is also getting four-star QB recruit out of Texas, Cole Welliver, though he is expected to sit as a freshman.
Coming with him is his Wisconsin teammates WR Skyler Bell and DB Keontez Lewis, and both are expected to be starters and high-impact players this year. “I think coach Mora has done a good in replacing some of the losses they had, and maybe even improving those positions,” Ava Inesta, a student reporter for UConn, said in a recent talk about the Huskies additions this offseason. Overall, the Huskies had a busy spring.
Quarterback Room
“College football is a quarterback sport.” Giardino said recently in regards to UConn’s quarterback room. With Roberson and Turner gone, and Evers and Welliver in, one of the main storylines going into this season is the quarterback situation.
“I think having a new face at the quarterback will be huge for this team,” Inesta said. “Whether it’s in terms of competitiveness or chemistry or just bringing the team together.”
Evers is probably the most talented of the bunch, though he hasn’t played an important snap of college football, yet. Welliver has the raw talent, but is he ready to step in as a true freshman?
UConn has had to go to true freshman the past few years, and it hasn’t gone extremely well. The other QB who will work his way into the conversation is Joe Fagnano, who was the Week 1 & 2 starter last season before missing the rest of the year due to injury.
Most project Evers to get the job, which he should. Fagnano will back him up, and Welliver will get a year to watch and develop into the quarterback he can be. But even with the QB2 spot, there is really no room for Fagnano, barring injury, in the quarterback room anymore.
Home Grown Player Development
Everyone wants to mention all of UConn’s losses and additions. However, what may be the most important thing for UConn in 2024 is the players who are already on the football team. It’s just a matter of if they can step up and reach their full potential.
Last year, UConn had one of the better offensive lines in FBS last year, but yet couldn’t develop a consistent run game. Camryn Edwards is expected to take the RB1 role once again as a junior, though he only ran for 618 yards and four touchdowns behind that offensive line last year. The good news for him is that UConn promoted offensive line coach Gordon Sammis to the offensive coordinator position. Fans have to hope he will prioritize improving the run game in 2024.
The glue to that offensive line is expected to be Chase Lundt, as he will step into Haynes old role.
“One huge piece for the O-Line is Chase Lundt.” Inesta recently said. “I think it will be huge to have his mentality still remain within the O-Line.”
After sitting back and learning from Haynes, many Huskie fans expect Lundt to take the next step in his game.
Defensively, Pryce Yates could make a massive leap. Last season, Yates led the team in sacks (4.5) and sack yards (56). Yet this season, many hope to see him to take the next step as a leader, and replace Jackson Mitchell as the ‘captain’ of the defense. UConn will also have a new coordinator on that side of the ball, hiring Matt Brock from Mississippi State, where he was their DC last season.
The ‘Easier’ Schedule
The UConn Huskies football team have the advantage of having an easier schedule in 2024. This season, the Huskies plays four power-conference schools, just like last season. However, last year’s schools were much more difficult competition – take Tennessee and 18th ranked Duke as an example. UConn also had to play a good Utah State team and a James Madison team that found themselves ranked throughout the season.
This year, Duke is not as good as they were last year, and Wake Forest, Maryland and Syracuse are not incredible football schools. Not saying UConn will win those games, especially since three of them are on the road.
The second advantage is not only the competition, but the home field advantage. UConn plays seven home games this season. This includes six straight in the middle of the season against schools like Florida Atlantic, Buffalo and Temple. These are winnable games. Combine that with games against UMass and Merrimack, and UConn doesn’t really need to take a major leap to get back into bowl eligibility.
If the Huskies can lock up wins against those two schools, you have to think UConn can get four or five more wins in six non-power conference games. Just imagine what they can do if they can take that extra leap as a program.
Overall
UConn seems poised for a bounce back season. Despite a 3-9 record last season, the UConn Huskies football program is moving in the right direction heading in 2024. This team is put in a great position to take that next step.
Fanduel has UConn’s over/under for wins next season at 4.5. However, this team has the potential to go further than that.
“I think the goal this year is to get to one (bowl game) and win that bowl game.” Inesta said. “I think that would be a great start for the program. They just want to keep things rolling and it all starts with this season.”
The eventual goal for this program? To get to a larger conference and win eight to ten games every year. However, getting back to a Bowl game would be a great step in the right direction in 2024.
UConn opens their season against the Maryland Terrapins on August 31.
Chase Coburn
Chase Coburn is an aspiring sports reporter and journalist who's already achieved some great things in the industry. At just 13 years old, Chase has already started his own podcast, interviewing celebrities such as ESPN's Adam Schefter, Baltimore Ravens' Justin Madubuike, ESPN's Dan Graziano, and many others. Chase is even experienced in writing for his websites, chasessportsnews.com & chasecoburn.substack.com. He runs his schools broadcast department, and is also a freelance writer for The League Winners, covering Ravens football and UConn football.Chase, who resides in Fairfield, CT, hopes to continue his dream as a broadcaster, and inspire others to CHASE their dreams like he has.