New UConn football coach Jason Candle announced the addition of 65 players to the Huskies roster on Friday, a huge turnover after the departure of former head coach Jim Mora to Colorado State and the arrival of Candle in Storrs.

Make it 66.

Since then, Class of 2026 offensive tackle Owen Winder announced on X that he is committed to UConn.

In his X bio, Winder lists himself at 6-foot-8, 310 pounds. He Is from Dexter (Mich.) High School and is a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports.

Winder originally committed to Iowa State last June and signed with the Cyclones on Dec. 3 during early signing period. However, he reconsidered after the departure of head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, was released by Iowa State and announced he was reopening his commitment.

“After a lot of prayer and conversations with my family, I’ve decided to de-commit from lowa State University,” he posted to X on Dec. 11. This is the best decision for my future on and off the field.”

As a prospect, he had drawn interest from a variety of Power Four programs, including Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and West Virginia.

He is expected to be a summer enrollee in Storrs.

According to the announcement from UConn, as of Friday the program had signed 58 players from the transfer portal – 21 of them from Power Four schools. Just seven are coming straight from high school, like Winder.

Among that group were 30 offensive players, 32 on defense and three specialists.

There is great opportunity, especially on offense, for new players to come in and fill big shoes.

Gone are All-American wide receiver Skyler Bell and record-setting quarterback Joe Fagnano to the NFL draft. The Huskies’ top running back, Cam Edwards, transferred to Michigan State.

The Huskies are scheduled to open the season Sept. 5 against Lafayette before jumping into Power Four competition the next week against Maryland. Both games will take place at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

The No. 1 UConn women’s basketball team is taking on Xavier on campus at Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday night.

And the first 600 fans will take home a souvenir from the season, on which the Huskies are 21-0 (11-0 Big East). For the early birds, an incredible promotional giveaway: a Geno Auriemma bobblehead.

The man deserves lots of bobbleheads. He is in his 41st season as the Huskies’ head coach and has led the team to 12 national titles.

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