According to new reports, the University of Connecticut football team secured a commitment from defensive back Alan Blackshere on Saturday. Saturday is rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals, but he chose UConn over name brand programs like Oklahoma, Oregon and Missouri.

Oklahoma and Oregon were both in the College Football Playoff last season and Missouri plays in the SEC, making UConn's win on the recruiting trail all the more impressive.

Blackshere is listed as a safety. He will graduate high school in 2027, meaning he'll be ready to join the Huskies for the fall of 2027.

Candle took over for Jim Mora this offseason after he left for Colorado State and has already been able to show his recruiting ability in both the transfer portal and among the high school ranks.

Candle spent 10 seasons at Toledo, finishing .500 or better in each season. He won double-digit games twice and won two bowl games. He has a strong track record of getting players to the NFL because of his recruiting ability - and his player development - and both of those qualities will be of huge benefit to a Huskies program that is looking to continue to build off the momentum of back-to-back nine win campaigns.

Why did Blackshere choose UConn over those schools? Only he knows at the moment, but we took a look at some of the biggest selling points for UConn recently, including Candle's history of elevating players.

The Huskies won nine games last season, losing to Army in the Fenway Bowl, and they'll be forced to play with an entirely new crop of players this season.

Not only did the Huskies lose record-setting quarterback Joe Fagnano and All-American receiver Skyler Bell to the NFL, they also lost standout running back Cam Edwards to the transfer portal (Michigan State). In addition to those three, the Huskies saw many other players leave in the wake of Mora's departure, but again, they secured new commitments under Candle also.

In addition to the roster turnover, the Huskies will also play a very challenging schedule. They'll see major conference opponents like Syracuse, North Carolina and Maryland, as well as College Football participant James Madison.

Cayden Suchy came to UConn two years ago, turned in a masterful season in 2026 and now most likely is off to warmer pastures.

Suchy has entered the baseball transfer portal, which opened June 1, and he undoubtedly has been bombarded by text messages and calls from schools down south and possibly out west.

Based on his sophomore season performance, the left-hander could wind up playing for a power-conference title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament next spring.

He is the defending Big East Pitcher of the Year.

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