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Coming off a one-win season, Jackson Mitchell wasn't sure he would ever wear the UConn football navy blue and white uniforms ever again. The Huskies linebacker thought long and hard about transferring out of Storrs. It took two meetings with new head coach Jim Mora to change his mind. "I was confident when they came in," he said. "We talked to coach Mora and I heard him talk. He talked to me. I just talked with other guys here. I thought it was the best decision to stay, even with the past and not winning so much. "I definitely thought about it for a second, but I realized this was the place to be and the place I wanted to be. I trusted coach Mora and coach [Lou] Spanos, who would be around. We thought we had a real chance to turn this thing around with coach Mora and the rest of the coaches."

Mitchell, academically a senior but with two years of football eligibility left, was one of the few bright spots on a team that finished 1-11 overall. He was the team's leading tackler with 120 last season, including 6.5 for loss and one sack. In the locker room his teammates look to him as their leader. "He's a wise man for his age because he has been playing so much football here," said Spanos, UConn's defensive coordinator. "The production is outstanding. I mean, top-10 tackler in the country. He leads by example. When he speaks, everybody listens. When I say everyone, I mean all three phases (of football) because if Jackson is talking, there's a reason for it." - Hartford Courant

(DS#18 ILB) Sr/2024

ILB Jackson Mitchell, Connecticut
News Source: Hartford Courant
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07/05/22 - Eriq Gilyard, rSr/2024, Connecticut, 5-10, 229 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

Eriq Gilyard has always been an old-school, smash-mouth, run-stuffing middle linebacker. He can't wait to be that again. Gilyard shuffled between schemes and responsibilities at UCF last season and was rotated and then squeezed out of the Knights' 4-2-5 defense under first-year head coach Gus Malzahn and his pair of defensive coordinators. By October, the two-year starter with 197 career tackles had enough and decided to transfer. In January, he enrolled at Kansas and was one of eight players to join the team before the start of winter workouts.

Gilyard, who is 5-foot-11 and 235 pounds, was able to preserve a redshirt year by playing in only four games last season and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. His addition, along with those of Craig Young from Ohio State and Lorenzo McCaskill from Louisiana, should fortify a unit that, like the rest of the defense, had to rely on inexperience last season. "I feel like just the opportunity that I have here, (it's) as far as being able to play, being able to show what I can do, coaches, scheme, and honestly, I like challenges," Gilyard said. "It's no surprise that Kansas isn't as good as they should have been last year and I want to be a part of the change that comes with this program - that I know will come." - Lawrence Journal World

(DS#999 ILB) rSr/2024

ILB Eriq Gilyard, Connecticut
News Source: Lawrence Journal World
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06/16/22 - Kayode Oladele, rSr/2024, Connecticut, 6-4, 269 (DS#999 DE) + More +

Memphis senior defensive lineman Kayode Oladele confirmed to The Commercial Appeal that entered the transfer portal Tuesday. Oladele, who is eligible as a graduate transfer, played 11 games in three seasons after enrolling in 2018 a week before the Tigers' season opener. A former four-star recruit from Florida, he initially signed with Auburn in December 2017 but it was reported the following summer that he wouldn't enroll at the school. Oladele redshirted in 2018 and appeared in a career-best eight games in 2020, where he recorded one tackle. He appeared in two games last season and played with the Tigers during spring practice. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#999 DE) rSr/2024

DE Kayode Oladele, Connecticut
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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05/09/22 - Kamoi Latu, rSr/2026, Connecticut, 6-0, 198 (DS#137 SS) + More +

Numbers in the University of Wisconsin safety room received a boost Friday when Kamo'i Latu announced his intention to transfer to the program. The 6-foot, 195-pound Latu played in 14 games last season, registering 19 tackles and three pass breakups for Utah. He finished with a career-high 10 tackles during a 42-26 win at Southern Cal in October, his only start of 2021. That performance allowed him to claim Pac-12 freshman of the week accolades.

Latu participated in 19 games over two seasons for the Utes, who lost to Ohio State in the 2022 Rose Bowl. 247Sports and Rivals rated him as a three-star recruit, and the two recruiting services reported he had offers from Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon State, Southern Cal and Washington, among others. Latu also holds a connection to the program with a former prep teammate. Both he and current UW outside linebacker Nick Herbig played at Saint Louis School in Honolulu before moving on to the college ranks. - KTBS ABC TV3 News

(DS#137 SS) rSr/2026

SS Kamoi Latu, Connecticut
News Source: KTBS ABC TV3 News
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05/05/22 - Jack Stewart, rSr/2025, Connecticut, 6-4, 298 (DS#999 OG) + More +

UConn has lured a Power Five prospect back home to Connecticut. Jack Stewart, a big, powerful lineman from New Canaan High, is transferring from Michigan and committed to the Huskies and new coach Jim Mora on Monday night. "I'm coming home," Stewart said, in announcing his decision via Twitter. Stewart, 6 feet 4 and 314 pounds, was one of the top linemen in Connecticut, and, playing on both sides of the line, helped New Canaan to the state final in 2015, '16 and '18. He played for Lou Marinelli, whose son, John, is on Mora's staff. Stewart, a junior, was at Michigan for three seasons, but never saw any game action. - Hartford Courant

(DS#999 OG) rSr/2025

OG Jack Stewart, Connecticut
News Source: Hartford Courant
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05/01/22 - Kamoi Latu, rSr/2026, Connecticut, 6-0, 198 (DS#137 SS) + More +

It's been a busy couple of days in the NCAA transfer portal for the Utah Utes. Utah linebacker Carson Tabaracci, safety Kamo'i Latu, offensive lineman Marist Talavou and running back Braedon Wissler all reportedly entered the portal Thursday, while safety Stone Azarcon and wide receiver Ben Renfro did so earlier in the week. Latu, a sophomore, played in 14 games last season for Utah. He won Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors for his performance in Utah's win at USC, where he had 10 tackles to lead the Utes' defense. Tabaracci, who played at Park City High, was a three-star recruit per 247Sports in Utah's 2022 class, and he had already made an impact during spring ball. Azarcon walked onto the team in 2017, playing in nine games on special teams in 2019 and five in 2020, with all action coming on special teams. He did not play in 2021. - Deseret News

(DS#137 SS) rSr/2026

SS Kamoi Latu, Connecticut
News Source: Deseret News
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04/21/22 - Jack Stewart, rSr/2025, Connecticut, 6-4, 298 (DS#999 OG) + More +

Michigan football has wrapped up spring practice, giving players the opportunity to ponder their next move. And for the second time in as many weeks, the Wolverines have a player who's entered the NCAA transfer portal. This time it's reserve defensive lineman Jack Stewart, a former three-star recruit who never played in a game for Michigan, a team spokesman confirmed to MLive on Tuesday. The 6-foot-4, 314-pound Stewart came to Ann Arbor in 2019 as an offensive tackle, dealt with injuries and health issues and soon found himself switching sides of the ball.

He did not get into a game during his three seasons at Michigan, from 2019 to 2021, leaving him two years of college eligibility. "I've had a great experience playing both OL and DL at the University of Michigan," Stewart wrote on social media Tuesday. "Thank you for everything Ann Arbor. I'm very excited to see where this new journey takes me." Stewart, from New Caanan, Conn., joins linebacker Jordan Morant as the second player to enter the NCAA transfer portal since Michigan concluded spring practice on April 4. - Ann Arbor News

(DS#999 OG) rSr/2025

OG Jack Stewart, Connecticut
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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12/20/21 - Kevin Mensah, Sr/2022, Connecticut, 5-09, 206 (DS#67 RB) + More +

Running back Kevin Mensah, the fourth-leading rusher in UConn history, has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal. Mensah had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018-19, but saw his role diminish as a senior as freshman Nate Carter took over as the Huskies primary ball-carrier. While he still has a year of eligibility left due to the COVID-19 season, Mensah's departure was expected. He was honored on Senior Day last month against Houston, the final game of the Huskies 1-11 season. The 5-foot-9, 202-pound Mensah finished his UConn career with 2,933 rushing yards, ranking behind Donald Brown (3,800), Terry Caulley (3,187) and Jordan Todman (3,179). - CT Post

(DS#67 RB) Sr/2022

RB Kevin Mensah, Connecticut
News Source: CT Post
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12/16/21 - Eriq Gilyard, rSr/2024, Connecticut, 5-10, 229 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

Lance Leipold's Kansas football staff continued to hit the transfer portal hard on Tuesday, as former UCF linebacker Eriq Gilyard announced his commitment to the program. Gilyard became the fifth transfer to pledge to the Jayhawks in the past five days, leading up to Wednesday's early signing period. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds on the UCF roster in 2021, Gilyard was a few weeks into his senior season when he left the Knights. He played in four games and started one. Because he only participated in four, he will be able to use 2021 as his redshirt season. Additionally, Gilyard can use the NCAA's 2020 Covid waiver for an extra year of eligibility and join the Jayhawks with two years remaining, even though he was a senior entering the season at UCF. - Lawrence Journal World

(DS#999 ILB) rSr/2024

ILB Eriq Gilyard, Connecticut
News Source: Lawrence Journal World
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11/26/21 - Noah Plack, rSr/2024, Connecticut, 6-1, 225 (DS#81 OLB) + More +

2021 ALL-CAA FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM (COACHES): Noah Plack, Delaware, S, Jr.,...Safety Noah Plack received his second-straight nod to the All-CAA Second Team after ranking fourth on the team with 57 tackles despite missing the first three games of the season due to injury. The redshirt junior was a dominant force both in the secondary and near the line of scrimmage, finishing with three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and 0.5 TFL. - Delaware Football

(DS#81 OLB) rSr/2024

OLB Noah Plack, Connecticut
News Source: Delaware Football
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11/20/21 - Joe Fagnano, rSr/2026, Connecticut, 6-3, 226 (DS#20 QB) + More +

Joe Fagnano passed for two touchdowns, Maine picked off four passes and the Black Bears defeated New Hampshire 33-20 in a season finale Saturday. Fagnano passed 30 yards to Andre Miller following one of the interceptions to put the Black Bears (6-5, 4-4 Colonial Athletic Association) up 27-20 midway through the third quarter. Jonny Messina added his third and fourth field goals of the game for the final margin. Fagnano was 21 of 34 for 249 yards passing. Elijah Barnwell rushed for 94 yards on 20 carries. Tommy Herion threw for three touchdowns but was picked off on four consecutive possessions as the Wildcats (3-8, 2-6) lost their eighth straight game. Carlos Washington Jr. had 101 yards rushing and Dylan Laube added 100. Maine's four interceptions — two by Kahzir Brown — were the most for the Black Bears since picking off four against Weber State in 2018. This was the first win for Maine in Durham since 2001 in a rivalry that dates to 1903. - AP College Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2026

QB Joe Fagnano, Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
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11/13/21 - Joe Fagnano, rSr/2026, Connecticut, 6-3, 226 (DS#20 QB) + More +

Joe Fagnano threw a pair of scores, Elija Barnwell ran for two and Maine handed reeling UMass its second-straight loss to a FCS opponent, 35-10 on Saturday. After the Minutemen (1-9) lost to Rhode Island 35-22 last week, head coach Walt Bell and defensive coordinator Tommy Restivo were fired. They didn't fare any better under interim coach Alex Miller. UMass took a 10-0 in the first quarter with 147 yards of total offense. They gained just 150 more the rest of the way. Freddie Brock scored on an 18-yard run in the second quarter to complete an 86-yard drive and the Black Bears took the lead on Fagnano's 8-yard pass to Devin Young.

Fagnano found Shawn Brown for 14 yards in the third quarter and Barnwell scored on 2 and 23-yard runs in the fourth. Maine (5-5) had 366 yards of total offense. Fagnano threw for 209 yards, Barnwell rushed for 84 and Brock 74. It was the 60th meeting between the former conference rivals but only the third since UMass made the jump to FBS. This is the second time Maine beat the FBS Minutemen and fourth FBS win overall. UMass leads the series 42-18-1. - AP College Football

(DS#20 QB) rSr/2026

QB Joe Fagnano, Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
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10/14/21 - Kamoi Latu, rSr/2026, Connecticut, 6-0, 198 (DS#137 SS) + More +

OCT 11 PAC-12 FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Kamo'i Latu, Fr., Safety, Utah (Honolulu, HI),...Made his 1st career start at safety in Utah's historic road win at USC (Oct. 9)...Produced a career- and team-best 10 tackles, to go with a pass breakup. 7 of Latu's tackles came in the 1st half, including 5 in the 1st quarter of the game. It's the 2nd straight game that a Utah freshman had double-digit tackles...The win was Utah's first road triumph over the Trojans since 1916 and first-ever in the LA Coliseum (opened 1923)...2nd time a Utah player has won this award this season with Karene Reid winning it in Week 4. Also nominated for freshman: Benjamin Yurosek, TE, Stanford; Elijhah Badger, WR, Arizona State; Semisi Saluni, LB, Oregon State. - Pac-12 Football

(DS#137 SS) rSr/2026

SS Kamoi Latu, Connecticut
News Source: Pac-12 Football
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09/03/21 - Rante Jones, Sr/2025, Connecticut, 6-1, 200 (DS#99 SS) + More +

Jones, a true freshman from Atlanta, started at safety against Fresno State and had six tackles in his collegiate debut. Senior safety Diamond Harrell said Tuesday that Jones already carries himself like a leader. "Durante is the quarterback of the defense," Harrell said. "He's very vocal. He has a lot of energy, very aggressive...playing next to him is really great because we need that on our defense. We need someone to bring the defense, when they're down, when everybody's head is down, we need him to make sure everybody's head is up. Just lift everybody's head up so we can keep going and never go back down." Edsall said he wasn't surprised to see Jones win the starting job in preseason camp. - Hartford Courant

(DS#99 SS) Sr/2025

SS Rante Jones, Connecticut
News Source: Hartford Courant
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09/03/21 - Kevon Jones, rJr/2024, Connecticut, 6-1, 247 (DS#999 OLB) + More +

Junior defensive lineman Kevon Jones, who had 93 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2018-19, was held out of Saturday's season opener due to an undisclosed violation. Edsall said he expects Jones to return this week. "I love K.K to death, I love the kid," Edsall said. "He has too many sins, self-inflected wounds. I just hope that, moving forward, he can just limit those decisions that he makes that aren't in his best interest. It's going to be good to have him back, he has a chance to be a force for us out there. I just hate any time any young man makes a poor decision and it ends up taking an opportunity away." Jones, an East Hartford native, missed time in 2018 and 2019 for academic reasons and, according to Edsall, "not achieving and not living up to the standards" of the program. - Hartford Courant

(DS#999 OLB) rJr/2024

OLB Kevon Jones, Connecticut
News Source: Hartford Courant
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