UConn football picks up five 2022 commitments

The class of 2022 commitments keep rolling in for UConn football as the program secured five new recruits this week, including another pair of three-stars.

This brings the Huskies’ total number of commitments for this class up to nine, including one quarterback, four skill players and four linemen. Here's the lowdown on each respective potential future Husky:

Sean Sallis, TE (Carrollton, Texas)

UConn's monster weekend of commitments started off with its highest-rated recruit of the entire class, according to 247. Sean Sallis is an imposing tight end from Carrollton, Texas, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 225 pounds.

Sallis is a three-star recruit by both 247 and Rivals, and held offers from Georgia Tech, Minnesota and Tulane before pledging his future to the Huskies.

Unlike some UConn recruits who held offers from Power 5 schools that might have unofficially expired before they signed, Sallis took his visit to Storrs on June 4 and was hosted on campus by Georgia Tech two weeks later before still ending up with UConn.

Sallis has an ideal frame with long arms and speed to stretch the field from the tight end position. The rising senior had 34 receptions for 634 yards and ten touchdowns in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and brings a great attitude to playing the game.

“I love football because I have played it all my life and it’s the one place you can hit people and not get in trouble,” Sallis told Texashighschoolfootball.com.

Donovan Branch, DL (Winter Garden, Florida)

UConn’s solid weekend of recruiting continued on Saturday, securing the commitment of another three-star — defensive lineman Donovan Branch from Winter Garden, Florida.

The Foundation Academy youngster held offers from Iowa State, Navy and Syracuse but ultimately committed to Storrs on Saturday afternoon.

Branch is a backfield disruptor with good measurables at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and picked up 41 tackles through 12 games in 2020. He is the Huskies’ fourth recruit from the state of Florida and their second defensive lineman.

Jeremiah McGill, DB (Hollywood, Florida)

UConn just can’t stay away from the Sunshine State when it comes to recruiting, picking up their third recruit from Florida in this class and their second this week: Jeremiah McGill.

McGill is a defensive back from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida. He’s not yet rated by Rivals or 247 but received offers from Georgia Southern, FIU and Appalachian State.

McGill stands 6-feet, 185 pounds and recorded 28 tackles and four interceptions through eight games played in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Kareem Lewis, ATH (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

UConn’s third defensive back of the 2022 class comes from the City of Brotherly Love. Kareem Lewis is a 6-1, 200-lb safety who, in reality, takes snaps all over the field for Roman Catholic in Philadelphia.

Lewis’ size and strength have him projected as a linebacker in college and he will be aided in that position by his plus speed and ability to shed blocks and read opposing offense, along with his apparent affinity for the Chucky franchise.

Lewis was recruited by hometown schools Penn and Temple but a dogged pursuit by defensive backs coach Kyle Weiss convinced him to take his talents to Storrs.

Brady Wayburn (Gastonia, North Carolina)

Brady Wayburn just committed to UConn on Sunday and might not get to campus until fall of 2022 but he’s physically ready to take snaps in front of Jack Zergiotis (or whoever starts at quarterback) this August. Wayburn is a hulking figure at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds and chose UConn over Tulane, UMass and FAU among others.

UConn kicks off its 2021 season on August 28, 2021 against Fresno State.