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After the UConn football team had its doors blown off in a 50-7 loss at Maryland to open the 2024 season, it could’ve easily been infected by the “here we go again” line of thinking that the program and its fan base had gotten so used to. Instead, the team responded by whooping Merrimack, coming up just short at Duke and scoring 45-plus in back-to-back games to start a winning streak at home.
The Huskies completed their most successful season in more than a decade with a dominant win over North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday, reaching the nine-win mark for just the third time in the program’s FBS history.
“Here we go again” can now take on a new meaning in Storrs.
“We’re over the hump now, we just gotta keep going with it,” said senior safety Rante Jones, who’s first year in Storrs was one of the hopeless ones – a 1-11 finish in 2021 that led to Jim Mora’s hiring. “Coach is gonna keep leading the way, Coach Tyson (Brown), Coach (Matt) Brock, Coach Gordie (Sammis) and them…”
UConn checked the first and most important box of the offseason before the game even kicked off, announcing that it signed Mora – the head of the “Husky Revolution” – to a contract extension through the 2028 season.
Looking ahead to 2025, the clear goal is to keep as many of the pieces in place to continue pushing the standard.
Early look at the 2025 schedule
The 2025 schedule, as listed on the UConn website, includes several repeat opponents from 2024 and just two games against Power Four opponents in Duke and Syracuse. With only 11 games listed, the Huskies will likely look for a power conference opponent to fill their 12th game. Boston College may be an option, as multiple reports indicate the Eagles’ scheduled game against UMass may be pushed back.
Plenty can change before the schedule is finalized, likely within the next month. But as it stands now, UConn will open the season at Rentschler Field against an FCS opponent in Central Connecticut State, then travel to Syracuse and Delaware, which is moving up to the FBS level in Conference USA. The Huskies would play Ball State, Buffalo, FIU, Rice and UAB before hosting Duke and UMass to close the season.
Who will play quarterback?
The quarterback position didn’t play out how the Huskies expected it to when they brought in Nick Evers from the transfer portal in May. Evers was named the starter after a competition in camp but had his first year in Storrs derailed by injuries. Fifth-year Joe Fagnano, coming off a shoulder injury that ended his 2023 season, stayed ready in the backup role and posted 20 touchdowns to only four interceptions, closing the book on his college career with an offensive MVP trophy in the Fenway Bowl.
As the roster stands, Evers will have another shot at the starting job in 2025. So will Cole Welliver, a rising sophomore who ironically comes from the same home town in Flower Mound, Texas. Welliver was a three-star recruit who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns as he finished his high school career playing for Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten. Tucker McDonald, a redshirt freshman this year, Caleb Smith, a Staples High alum, and Jake Tripptree were also on the Huskies’ roster in 2024.
Who might get drafted?
UConn right tackle Chase Lundt, the Huskies’ top NFL prospect, went down in the second half of the Fenway Bowl with an undisclosed injury but sent a message to UConn fans after the game: “I appreciate y’all for all the wishes! I’m doing well and will be back better than ever. I’m glad I could end my time at UConn the right way,” he posted, in part, to X. Valentin Senn, left tackle, is another pro prospect who will depart the Huskies’ offensive line.
Dal’Mont Gourdine, a star defensive lineman who missed the Fenway Bowl with a broken foot, told The Courant he is on track to be healthy for the Huskies’ pro day in the spring. Jelani Stafford is said to be a bit undersized at his position, but could find a way to an NFL roster as either a defensive lineman or a fullback – where he showed his dual-threat ability with six touchdowns last season.
Most notable newcomer?
Could Bryun Parham be the next graduate linebacker to star in Storrs? The Huskies hit big on Jayden McDonald, who didn’t join the program until May after he initially committed to Indiana during the initial transfer portal window. McDonald ended up leading the team with 125 total tackles this season, and could be another one of the Huskies’ NFL prospects.
Parham began his career at San Jose State, where he played three seasons. He recorded 106 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in 2023 before committing to Washington for the 2024 season. He only played in five games for the west coast Huskies, but recorded 12 tackles and forced a fumble.
UConn has seen 12 commitments from the transfer portal thus far, and isn’t done yet.