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As we begin 2016, there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to UConn football. The Huskies earned a program-defining win over an undefeated Houston Cougars, reached their first bowl game since 2010, and have also put together a very good recruiting class.
Bob Diaco and his staff enjoyed an excellent month of December on the recruiting trail- gaining six verbal commitments, four of which came on one day after a large group made official visits. The Huskies were able to beat out numerous power-five teams, as well as some quality group of five teams such as Cincinnati, Bowling Green, and Boise State, for these players.
Additionally, running back Nate Hopkins is UConn's first commitment from Texas since 2013. If Hopkins ends up on campus he would become the first Texas native to commit and enroll since 2008. The Huskies have two players from talent-rich Florida committed to the class so far and have also expanded their recruiting reach into Illinois, North Carolina and Virginia. Three players in the class hail from Diaco and offensive coordinator Frank Verducci's home state of New Jersey.
The UConn staff is also experiencing success with standout in-state players. The Huskies currently have four commitments from Connecticut, with the most recent being Tyler Coyle from Windsor. It is doubtful that the likes of Coyle, Jasen Rose, Keyion Dixon and Tahj Herring would be coming to UConn under previous regimes.
It is key that Diaco can continue bringing in recruits from Connecticut. While Connecticut may not be stacked with great football players, in-state talents such as Arkeel Newsome, Noel Thomas, Tim Boyle, Max Delorenzo and Graham Stewart, and going back to Dan Orlovsky, bring a lot to the program.
The positional breakdown is as follows:
Quarterback: 2
Wide receiver: 2
Offensive line: 3
Running back: 2
Linebacker: 2
Defensive back: 3
Here's an updated look at the 2016 recruiting big board. You can read more about these players on Rivals.
| Name - Position | Height/Weight | School (Hometown) | 247 Rating | Rivals Rating |
| Donovan Williams - QB | 6-3/202 | CD Hylton HS (Woodbridge, VA) | 84 (3-stars) | 5.5 (3-stars) |
| Keyion Dixon - WR | 6-2/180 | Glastonbury HS (Glastonbury, CT) | 77 (2-stars) | 5.4 (2-stars) |
| Quayvon Skanes - WR | 5-10/170 | Philips Academy (Chicago, IL) | 83 (3-stars) | 5.5 (3-stars) |
| Eddie Hahn - DB | 6-3/205 | Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, NJ) | 84 (3-stars) | 5.6 (3-stars) |
| Tahj Herring - DB | 6-2/190 | Suffield Academy (Suffield, CT) | 83 (3-stars) | 5.5 (3-stars) |
| Ryan Gilmartin - LB | 6-0/230 | Charlotte Christian (Matthews, NC) | 80 (3-stars) | 5.2 (2-stars) |
| Nino Leone - OL | 6-5/335 | Pingree School (South Hamilton, MA) | N/A | N/A |
| Jasen Rose - QB/TE | 6-3/220 | Southington HS (Southington, CT) | 83 (3-stars) | 5.3 (2-stars) |
| Tyler Coyle - DB | 6-1/190 | Windsor HS (Windsor, CT) | 79 (2-stars) | 5.3 (2-stars) |
| Cam DeGeorge - OL | 6-5/262 | Lynnfield HS (Lynnfield, MA) | 83 (3-stars) | 5.3 (2-stars) |
| AJ Garson - OLB | 6-6/232 | Oxbridge Academy (West Palm Beach, FL) | N/A | 5.3 (2-stars) |
| Nate Hopkins - RB | 6-1/215 | Marcus HS (Flower Mound, TX) | 82 (3-stars) | 5.4 (2-stars) |
| Mike Lonsdorf - OL | 6-7/270 | Immaculata HS (Somerville, NJ) | N/A | N/A |
| Ja'kevious Vickers - RB | 5-10/195 | Glades Central HS (Belles Glade, FL) | N/A | 5.3 (2-stars) |