Huskies Add P4 Talent Through Portal
The transfer portal takes no days off, and that was certainly the case this weekend. Despite it being the holiday season, UConn added four more pieces through the portal, all of whom are coming from P4 schools. LBs Bryun Parham (Washington), Terry Kirksey Jr (Kansas State), DL Trent jones II (Iowa State), and S Kamo’i Latu (Wisconsin) all will be in Storrs next season, ready to help revamp a defense that is losing many to graduation.
Parham will be a big pickup, potentially replacing super productive LB Jayden McDonald. Watching the film, you can see a little bit of McDonald in Parham. Committing to San Jose State out of HS, Parham totaled 74 tackles in 2022, and 106 in 2023 before transferring to Washington, where things didn’t quite work out it would seem. He announced his intention to enter the portal on September 27th, after four games. He was behind two 5th and 6th year players on the depth chart, and according to HC Jedd Fisch said he would look for somewhere to start for his last year of eligibility. At UW, he totaled 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup in four games, which included one start. UConn was his first offer this cycle, followed by offers from Middle Tennessee, San Jose State offered to bring him back, Colorado State, Cal, Washington State, Fresno State, UAB, Arizona, UNLV, and San Diego State.
Highlights
Jones II committed to Iowa State out of HS in Eden Prairie, MN as a walk-on, and earned a scholarship prior to the 2023 season. After largely playing on special teams, he got time at DL, totaling 19 tackles, three sacks, four QB hurries, and a strip sack. He had a career-high seven tackles against Ohio, and had three against Texas. In 2024, he played in just six games, finishing the season with six tackles, one for a loss. He will look to finish his career in Storrs with plenty of playing time available on the defensive line, although a little bit of that time dried up with the announcement of Pryce Yates returning.
Highlights
Latu comes to Storrs from Wisconsin by way of Honolulu, HI. He signed with Utah coming out of HS as a three star recruit, choosing the Utes over offers from Central Michigan, Colorado, Hawaii, Nebraska, Oregon State, USC, Virginia, Washington, and Washington State. In two seasons in Salt Lake City, he totaled 23 tackles. At Wisconsin, he made an immediate impact, notching 56 tackles in 2022, with two sacks, a forced fumble, and two INTs, to go along with three pass breakups. After HC Luke Fickell took over in 2023, playing time and production dipped, down to 19 tackles in 2023, and played in just three games this past season. With both starting safeties departing, as well as backup Lee Molette III, Latu should expect to compete for plenty of playing time.
Highlights
Kirksey Jr joins from Kansas State and will be looking for a starting job. Kirksey Jr was also a UConn target in 2022, coming out of JUCO Hutchinson (KS). He plenty of offers to choose from as a three star, and the 3rd rated JUCO LB nationally. Kirksey Jr struggled to put it together for the Wildcats, playing in just one game in 2023, and three in 2024. At Hutchinson, he totaled 102 tackles. over two seasons, including three games with ten or more tackles. A fresh start at UConn could be just what he needs. He chose the Huskies over offers from South Alabama, Western Kentucky, and Arkansas State.
Highlights