Jason Candle’s hot streak continues on the recruiting trail, nabbing a commitment from Odenton, MD native Raph Bonfoh. The 6’3” 275 DE from St James Academy (VA) (he’s teammates with fellow commit Eltonino “Nino” Hicks) visited earlier this week and locked his recruiting down, having also visited Marshall.
Bonfoh didn’t have his first football workout until March 13th, 2025, and this past season was his first-ever season playing football. His defensive coordinator, Jeffrey Overton Sr, tweeted out that Bonfoh’s hands are “the size of his head.” He easily has the physical tools necessary to play FBS football. His inexperience didn’t deter schools from jumping on him, receiving offers from James Madison, Toledo, Marshall, and Florida Atlantic, plus a slew of FCS offers.
He was effusive in his praise for UConn and the coaching staff. “Great atmosphere, from the coaches, to the people in the building, to the academic successors, to the entire staff at UConn, it just felt like somewhere I could call home. Coach Candle was a head coach at Toledo for 10 years with 0 losing seasons and sent a lot of guys to the league, especially guys in my position like Darius Alexander and Desjuan Johnson.”
“The Defensive Line coaches, Coach Jenkins and Coach Schaeffer, are amazing, and they’re going to develop me and coach me, while also being there for me and whatever I need. Defensive Coordinator, Coach Manalac, sees a lot in me and can see me producing a lot for the defense. With their style of play and with their scheme, it fits me perfectly.”
