Jim Mora’s sudden exit from Storrs has left the UConn football program in a state of absolute whiplash. Honestly, if you blinked over the last couple of months, you probably missed a dozen or more roster moves that fundamentally changed the 2026 outlook. We’re not talking about minor tweaks here. We’re talking about a wholesale identity shift under new leadership, with Jason Candle stepping in to pick up the pieces of a roster that was gutted by the portal faster than most fans could keep up with.
The uconn depth chart football situation for 2026 is, frankly, a bit of a puzzle.
You’ve got a massive influx of talent from Toledo—no surprise given the coaching connection—mixed with some high-pedigree Power Four castoffs looking for a second (or third) chance. But it isn't just about who came in. It's about who left. Losing the "heart" of the 2025 defense, like linebacker Oumar Diomande, means the depth chart you see today looks nothing like the one that took the field for the season finale just a few weeks ago.
The Quarterback Room: Who Actually Starts?
Basically, the 2025 season saw Joe Fagnano and Nick Evers splitting time, but the 2026 landscape is a whole different beast. Fagnano was the steady hand, the guy with the 20:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio that kept the Huskies in games. But he’s moving on.
Nick Evers is still there, but don't assume he's the de facto starter.
The staff has been aggressive. They brought in K’saan Farrar as a high-upside freshman who already looks like he could push for snaps. Farrar has that "it" factor—the raw athleticism that makes coaches overlook his lack of experience. Then there’s the portal. UConn has been sniffing around every available arm with a pulse. If Evers doesn’t lock it down during spring ball, it’s a wide-open race.
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Expect the depth chart at QB to be fluid:
- The Frontrunner: Nick Evers (Experience is king, but the leash is short).
- The Challenger: K’saan Farrar (The freshman everyone is talking about).
- The Wildcard: A late-cycle transfer.
Rebuilding the Trenches from Scratch
If you look at the offensive line, it’s kinda scary how much production walked out the door. Ben Murawski, the 6-foot-7 left tackle who was basically a brick wall last season, is gone. Carsten Casady? Gone.
That leaves Wes Hoeh as the veteran anchor at center. He’s going to have to be the glue for a unit that is likely to feature Dominic Rivera, the Toledo transfer, at one of the tackle spots. Rivera isn’t just a "plug-and-play" guy; he’s someone who knows Candle’s system inside and out.
The interior is where things get interesting. You have Ty Chan, who moved over from Notre Dame and showed flashes of being elite. If he can stay healthy, he’s a lock for one of the guard spots. But behind them? It’s thin. The depth chart is essentially "Starters A, B, and C" followed by a lot of "hope for the best."
The Skill Positions: New Faces Everywhere
Let’s talk about the "Bristol Pistol," Victor Rosa. He’s gone. Same with MJ Flowers, who never really got the touches people expected before heading back to the portal.
So, who is carrying the rock?
Cyncir Bowers and Trey Cornist are the names to circle. Bowers brings that explosive, one-cut-and-gone speed that Mora’s offense lacked at times. Cornist is more of the hammer. It’s a classic thunder-and-lightning setup.
At receiver, Skyler Bell was the undisputed alpha, but with the roster turnover, the Huskies need someone to step into that WR1 role. Ky Wilson (another Toledo guy) and Cam Abshire are the favorites. Honestly, Abshire is the one I’m watching. He’s got the size to win 50/50 balls, and in a Candle-led offense, that’s going to be a requirement.
Defense: Fixing the Hole in the Middle
Losing Oumar Diomande and his 111 tackles is a disaster. There’s no other way to put it. He was the soul of that defense.
The staff is trying to patch the hole with NC State transfer Terris Dudley and Oregon State’s Zakaih Saez. Dudley is a 6-foot-3 linebacker who didn't get much run at NC State but has the physical tools that make scouts drool. Saez has a nose for the ball—he even had a pick-six back in 2024.
The secondary is also in "total rebuild" mode. Cam Chadwick, the ball-hawking corner, bailed for the portal. To replace him, the Huskies are leaning on Steve Miller (the USC transfer) and a rotating cast of safeties like Lee Molette and D’Mon Brinson.
- Defensive Line: Emmanuel Olagbaju and Tahjae Mullix provide the veteran presence.
- Linebackers: It's the "Newcomers Show" with Dudley and Saez.
- Secondary: Heavy reliance on Steve Miller to be the shutdown guy.
What Actually Matters for 2026
The uconn depth chart football isn't just a list of names; it's a reflection of a program trying to survive as an independent in a world where everyone else is joining a super-conference.
Most people think UConn is just a basketball school that plays football on the side. They’re wrong. The investment is there—the NIL spending has doubled, and the coaching search was fast and expensive. But a depth chart built primarily through the portal is inherently volatile.
One injury to a guy like Wes Hoeh or Steve Miller, and the whole house of cards could wobble.
The Huskies are betting big on "system fit" over "star rating." By bringing in so many players from Toledo who already know the playbook, they’re hoping to skip the "getting to know you" phase of spring camp. It’s a gamble. If it works, UConn is back in a bowl game. If it doesn’t, it’s a long road back to relevance.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Spring Game: Pay zero attention to the score and 100% attention to the offensive line's communication. That’s where the season will be won or lost.
- Monitor the Portal: There is almost certainly another defensive back and a veteran QB coming before the August deadline.
- Check the Eligibility: A lot of these guys are "one-and-done" seniors. This roster is built to win now, not to build for 2029.
- Focus on the Toledo Pipeline: If a guy played for Candle before, he’s going to be higher on the depth chart than a more "talented" player who is still learning the terminology.
The reality of UConn football right now is simple: the names have changed, the coaches have changed, but the pressure to prove they belong in the FBS hasn't. Keep your eye on those transfer portal announcements—they’re far more important than the preseason rankings.