Huskies Add More Secondary Help + an RB Through Portal
It’s been a busy portal period, with an unprecedented number of players entering this season. UConn has continued to reap the benefits, adding several new pieces; DII Grand Valley State DB Devin Pringle, Austin Peay/Cincinnati DB Sammy Anderson Jr, and Eastern Illinois MJ Flowers.
UConn fans who follow the recruiting may recognize Pringle’s name from the spring portal period this year, because he was a target, even visiting Storrs. James Madison was also in play for Pringle, who eventually committed to Houston. However, he ultimately withdrew from the portal and returned to GVSU, who is consistently one of the top DII teams. The Lakers have made the DII playoffs in each of the last four years, but haven’t been able to break through and get past the quarterfinals. This season, as the #2 seed, they were upset in the 2nd round by Harding (those who follow Sickos Committe should recognize them). They’ve put several guys in the NFL, including Matthew Judon. Pringle has been 1st team all-conference the past two seasons, and totaled 44 tackles, including 1.5 for loss this season. This time around in the portal, he chose UConn over offers from UTEP, Missouri State, Ball State, New Mexico State, Buffalo, Kent State, Liberty, UMass, Jacksonville State, and Colorado State, while also going on a visit to Wisconsin.
Highlights
Anderson Jr comes to Storrs from Austin Peay, but spent the first four years of his college career at Cincinnati. Anderson Jr was a four star recruit in the class of 2020 when he committed to the Bearcats as the 21st rated CB nationally. He cracked the lineup in 2022, rotating as the starting nickel back. He’d finish with 19 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and a forced fumble. He had four tackles twice, once against Louisville, and again versus USF. He played in one just game in 2023 before being lost for the season due to injury. Getting a new start at Austin Peay, he played in nine games for the Governors, totaling 24 tackles, three for loss, and four INTs. He’s rated as a top 40 FCS DB in PFF, with a strength in coverage. He chose UConn over offers from Miami (OH), Kent State, Bowling Green, Middle Tennessee, UAB, and New Mexico State.
Highlights
After losing bruising back Durell Robinson to Auburn, the Huskies swiftly replaced him Flowers. At 6’1” 220, Flowers is very close to Robinson’s size (6’1” 200), and was very productive at FCS Eastern Illinois (shoutout Tony Romo and Jimmy Garappolo), rushing for over 800 yards as a freshman in 2023, and again this season, plus catching 40 passes for 329 yards this season. He was a runner-up for the Jerry Rice FCS Freshman of the Year Award in 2023, the Big South Freshman of the Year, 1st team Freshman All-American, and 1st team All-Big South. This season, he was 1st team All-Big South. He chose the Huskies over offers from UTEP, Youngstown State, and Tulsa.
Highlights
Lots more to come from this year’s transfer portal, so make sure to follow along on Storrs Central!