University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Football Adds to 2026 Roster on National Signing Day
2/4/2026 1:26:00 PM | Football
STORRS, CT – UConn head coach Jason Candle announced the addition of six student-athletes to the Class of 2026 on National Signing Day.
UConn welcomes incoming freshmen for 2026 in defensive back Grant Blascak, linebacker Tyrique Harris, tight end Jackson Mangham, defensive back Martece Smith, edge Rodarian Tellez and offensive lineman Owen Winder.
They join seven of UConn's incoming freshmen who are with the Huskies for the spring semester as well as defensive back Cason Dash, wide receiver Zikhere Leaks and edge James Tilus who all signed with the Huskies during the early signing period. With the Huskies this spring are defensive back Shmar Akande, wide receiver Logan Barnes, linebacker Jayden Jones, edge Mateo Kipke, edge Makijah Latiker, quarterback Bo Polston, and defensive back Elijah Whitaker. Additionally, UConn added 58 players through the transfer portal in January.
Grant Blascak - DB
6-3/205 - Stow, OH/Walsh Jesuit HS
Blascak is ranked as the No. 71 player in Ohio by 247Sports. He is listed as a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports. Blascak played three years of varsity football and basketball for Walsh Jesuit High School and won First-Team All-Northeast Inland district honors for football. He helped lead his team to an 11-2 record and trip to the state playoffs semifinal this past fall. A safety who had offers from Toledo, Buffalo and UMass, and Kent State.
Tyrique Harris – LB
6-1/210 - Clearwater, FL/Clearwater Central Catholic HS
Harris is rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, On3, and ESPN, and had offers from Toledo, App State, Arkansas State, Buffalo, FAU, FIU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Liberty, Iowa State, and Wake Forest. In his senior season with Clearwater Catholic High, he had 113 tackles, nine for a loss, three sacks, an interception, and seven passes defended. Throughout his career, he has 276 tackles, 23.5 sacks, including 12.5 as a sophomore, 13 passes defended, three fumbles recovered, and three fumbles caused.
Jackson Mangham – TE
6-7/235 - Lewis Center, OH/Olentangy HS
Mangham is a three-star recruit from Olentangy High School who had offers from Toledo, Robert Morris, Western Michigan, and UTSA. Mangham was rated at 87th by 247Sports, rating him the 39th best TE in the class of 2026. In his senior season, he caught 32 passes for 412 yards and four TDs, leading his team to an 8-3 record, while earning himself 2nd team All-Ohio Capital Conference honors.
Martece Smith – DB
6-1/165 - Hammond, IN/Morton HS
Smith is ranked as the No. 33 player in Indiana by Rivals as well as the No. 42 player in Indiana's class by 247Sports. He is a three-star cornerback recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports. Smith tallied 48 tackles, three tackles for loss and two interceptions in two years on Morton varsity football. He was originally committed at Toledo and had offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, Miami (OH), Western Michigan, UMass, and Northern Illinois.
Rodarion Tellez – EDGE
6-3/235 - Fort Lauderdale, FL/American Heritage
Tellez is ranked as the No. 80 edge rusher in the country by ESPN. He is listed as a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports. Tellez racked up 200 tackles and 33.5 sacks in four years at prep school, including 58 tackles and 12.0 sacks as a senior. He was a part of two state championship teams, at Chaminade Madonna as a freshman and at American Heritage as a junior. He was originally committed at Toledo and also had offers from Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Liberty, UAB , and Western Michigan.
Owen Winder – OL
6-8/310 - Dexter, MI/Dexer HS
Winder played at Dexter High School and is a three-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets. He is rated as a top-30 recruit in Michigan and a top-115 offensive tackle nationally by Rivals. He helped Dexter to three-consecutive state playoff appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2025. Winder was named a 2024 Ann-Arbor Football Dream Team selection and helped team to an undefeated 2024 regular season. He originally committed to Iowa State and also had offers from West Virginia, Duke, Georgia Tech and Kentucky.
Players Mentioned
