UConn Football Makes Surprising Decision on Week 1 Depth Chart, But There's a Reason

UConn Football Makes Surprising Decision on Week 1 Depth Chart, But There's a Reason

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UConn Football Makes Surprising Decision on Week 1 Depth Chart, But There's a Reason

On Friday afternoon, after a weeks long quarterback competition, University of Connecticut head football coach Jason Candle named Toledo transfer Kalieb Osborne as his starter for Week 1 against Lafayette.

I'll be honest. I was surprised at the decision, but not completely shocked. What was shocking to me was that Jake Merklinger, who I anticipated being the starter, wasn't even dressed for the game and was listed as QB3 on the depth chart, behind Osborne and Tucker McDonald.

McDonald, a senior, is a returner to the roster who stayed through the transition from Jim Mora to Candle.

A junior who appeared in four games for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2025, Merklinger hails from Savannah, Ga. He went 13-of-24 for 173 yards for two touchdowns and no interceptions last season. Also a highly-touted recruit out of high school, I expected him to be the starter based on his pedigree and physical skillset.

Tennessee quarterback Jake Merklinger (12) scrambles with the ball during a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025. Tennessee defeated UAB. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Tennessee quarterback Jake Merklinger (12) scrambles with the ball during a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025. Tennessee defeated UAB. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Just because he's not dressed for the opener doesn't mean that he won't play at all this season, of course. However, there could be more to the story, as the UConn radio broadcast indicated that Merklinger had a wrap on his right hand. There had been no previous indication of an injury for him.

Regardless of who the quarterback ended up being for Candle, they have big shoes to fill. Joe Fagnano, spent the last three years at UConn, helped rewrite the record books in Storrs and earned his way onto the Baltimore Ravens roster at the conclusion of training camp this summer.

The Huskies went 9-4 last season and earned a trip to the Fenway Bowl, where they lost to Army. Fagnano did not play.

Also in the news for UConn football

This Nov. 7, the Huskies are taking on North Carolina of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). UNC is out to a 1-0 start after defeating TCU in a Week 0 contest in Ireland, but the program is embroiled in controversy under head coach Bill Belichick.

There are real questions at this point if Belichick will even make it to the end of the season as the program's head coach, and should he be removed before the UConn game, it means that New England fans will not get a chance to welcome him back to the region.

He led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles in his tenure as head coach before being let go after the 2023 season.

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