Outbound Talent to CSU vs Inbound Talent from Toledo

[Chin Diesel]

We're starting to see the Toledo players coming on board. And we know what the program has list via the portal to CSU.

My overall thought is most of the top level players at Toledo are good enough to play for UConn and help the team achieve onfield success.

Over the past several years UConn has played many MAC teams, and every MAC opponent has had players who were as good as, and sometimes better, than any of UConn's players.

I do believe Mora's name and reputation helped him pull some of the better P4 transfers in to UConn and that is the area I am focusing on with Candle and his staff.

What level player can he bring from P4 to UConn.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Khal Drogo]

Rocky needs to stay on Toledo

 

[UCFBfan]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

 

[Nameless]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

It's still very early, I'm not worried. I think the fact we've already landed a recruit the caliber of Fred Johnson shows what Candle is capable of bringing in. Also think we're seeing a run in Toledo guys just because he has familiarity with them and they at least provide a floor for him if he swings and misses on bigger targets in the portal

 

[Husky15]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

I get this but when I look at it I’m not sure we’ve been that much more talented than Toledo in recent years. At least not enough that I’m concerned about taking their better players / recruits. Honestly it looks like Candle was pulling in better high school classes than we were anyways. I want to get some bigger portal names too but we have time and with so many roster spaces to fill it makes sense we’ve started with the guys Candle knows.

 

[AllHusky]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

Toledo guys are low hanging fruit. Get a base and some momentum while he gets his sea(recruiting) legs. Not many of our 2025 guys are committed yet. Not sure how encouraging he has been across the board, but there is certainly talent available in our 2025 cupboard.

 

[Hskies4Ever]

Toledo has been recruiting better than us consistently. Perhaps Mora did better with transfers, but Toledo has talent.

 

[CCSUblue]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

Toledo guys are just long Connecticut guys. It's all good. I know Toledo wasn't part of the Western Reserve, but it almost works.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

In all candor, outside of two players who we knew for the entirety of this past season who were exhausting their eligibility (Bell, Fagnano) and would not be on our 2026 roster, Toledo was very likely deeper and more talented than us.

While it isn't necessarily easy to merely brush off the trade of Mora/UConn players our for Candle/Toledo players in as we did not initiate it (I'm confident that nobody here was happy when they learned Mora was heading west), we got the better part of this deal.

 

[Hskies4Ever]

Completely agree. And while there are several good players who are moving on, most of the guys transferring didn’t play too much.

This year was always going to be an ugly year for turnover as we had (I think) 40+ guys exhausting eligibility.

 

[NobodyKnows]

We're starting to see the Toledo players coming on board. And we know what the program has list via the portal to CSU.

My overall thought is most of the top level players at Toledo are good enough to play for UConn and help the team achieve onfield success.

Over the past several years UConn has played many MAC teams, and every MAC opponent has had players who were as good as, and sometimes better, than any of UConn's players.

I do believe Mora's name and reputation helped him pull some of the better P4 transfers in to UConn and that is the area I am focusing on with Candle and his staff.

What level player can he bring from P4 to UConn.

Focusing on how many P4 guys we bring in means NOTHING.

Nick Evers came from P4. Joe Fagnano came from FCS: Who was the better quarterback?

Candle needs to focus on ability, and potential to fit his scheme…not the brand of school the recruit comes from.

Toledo was able to be competitive against Louisville in their bowl game. Toledo had a backup QB. Louisville had their starting senior QB. The finale score was 27-22. Meanwhile UConn was getting dog walked by Army (who loss to an FCS team).

If you look at recruiting rankings. Toledo has consistently ranked higher than us with their recruiting classes.

Because of that I’m gonna trust that Candle will bring in some guys.

 

[noeynox]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

I have friend who is a season ticket holder at Penn State. They're saying the exact same thing you are regarding Matt Campbell. But when you are losing close to 50 players between portal and graduation I think this is absolute right approach. Bring in guys you already recruited because you know their football talent and have a better feel for the type of character they have and thats important for the team culture you're trying to have.

 

[NobodyKnows]

I see a few people with questions about the players we’re bringing in. I think it’s important to trust the hiring ability of AD DB.

Jason Candle has shown himself to be a great recruiter. Look at the recruiting rankings over the last 3 years. Candle’s Toledo recruiting was ranked like 20-30 spots higher than where Mora’s UConn teams were ranked. Now he has more resources than he did at Toledo.

Also, don’t get caught up in the P4 hype. That’s how we ended up with Nick Evers starting over Joe Fagnano at the beginning of 2024. Focus on ability of the players…can they produce.

All this stuff will work out the way it’s supposed to!

 

[Bongo Fury]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

I’d look at the the bowl performance of the two teams that lost their coaches. I’d say Toledo was the tougher team.

 

[businesslawyer]

It’s nice to see Candle bringing over some of the better players he recruited. However, we aren’t Toledo, but this roster looks to be Toledo’s roster just from the list of portal transfers. We need other players from other levels. I’m not doubting the talent but I’m a little worried that the only portal guys, minus two, that we’ve landed are guys from Candles Toledo team. Sorry for saying out loud what I think a lot are thinking inside.

Please stop. If we open next season with what would have been Toledo’s roster but for the coaching change, I will be concerned. But does it really take being a rocket scientist to understand the quite obvious reasons why the FIRST group of transfers who are going to come here are going to be those who played for, or are otherwise close to, Candle?

 

[Chuck]

Please stop. If we open next season with what would have been Toledo’s roster but for the coaching change, I will be concerned. But does it really take being a rocket scientist to understand the quite obvious reasons why the FIRST group of transfers who are going to come here are going to be those who played for, or are otherwise close to, Candle?

Totally agree (accept I still wouldn't be too worried if we shift Toledo's roster east). As you said, it makes sense to get a foundation of solid players that are familiar to Candle (and he to them). There's no real harm in going that route because the better guys in the portal (including our portal entrants) are shopping for bigger (and richer) P4 options. It's too early for a school like UConn to get those guys right now.

Our staff is also first getting to know each other and come from different backgrounds. Grab those Toledo guys first, then start reaching out to those other portal players that the new assistants may have an in with. For example, I'd be shocked if Nunzio Campanile doesn't have some NJ/Northeast contacts that are new to Candle.

 

[UConnJim]

On a 105 man roster, UConn may end up with 10 to 12 transfers from Toledo.

 

[temery]

On a 105 man roster, UConn may end up with 10 to 12 transfers from Toledo.

105? I've always known that rosters were ridiculously large for football. Never thought it was that big.

 

[huskymedic]

105? I've always known that rosters were ridiculously large for football. Never thought it was that big.

Heck.. that’s down from an average of 120-140 w/ walk-one before the House settlement.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Please stop. If we open next season with what would have been Toledo’s roster but for the coaching change, I will be concerned. But does it really take being a rocket scientist to understand the quite obvious reasons why the FIRST group of transfers who are going to come here are going to be those who played for, or are otherwise close to, Candle?

Well played counselor.

 

[huskymedic]

Just as good a place as any to drop this… Looks like it should be accessible for all:

 

[Chin Diesel]

Please stop. If we open next season with what would have been Toledo’s roster but for the coaching change, I will be concerned. But does it really take being a rocket scientist to understand the quite obvious reasons why the FIRST group of transfers who are going to come here are going to be those who played for, or are otherwise close to, Candle?

Agree. First things first. Stabilize UConn's roster with Toledo players in the portal and recruits Candle is confident can play at the level needed for UConn's schedule.
Then, start working in the transfers from the rest of the portal.

 

[Waquoit]

The guy clearly has a plan, I'm sure he's not bringing in any Toledo guys that he doesn't think can help him win. I don't understand the agita. Are people saying he's bringing these guys in instead of other, better players? This kinda reminds me of the host of folks here insisting Fagnano got the starting job originally because of his relationship to the new OC, not merit. Again, Hurley's first roster was 15% guys he brought with him from Rhody. And one of those guys in the NBA now.

 

[uconnbill]

We know that Ty Chan and Deron McLaughlin are staying. The two recruits from NJ, Greenlee and McGann, will be back as well.