STORRS, Conn. — The New York Giants need playmakers. After a brutal 4-13 finish in 2025, new head coach John Harbaugh isn’t leaving any stone unturned. He sent a massive contingent of scouts to Storrs on Wednesday to evaluate a surprisingly deep pool of UConn NFL Draft prospects. The New England Patriots also arrived in full force, turning a typically quiet campus into a high-stakes scouting ground.
The Huskies’ Draft Drought Could End
UConn hasn’t seen multiple players selected in the same NFL Draft since 2015. They haven’t had a player drafted before the third round since 2017. Entire draft weekends passed in 2019, 2021, and 2023 without a single Husky hearing his name called. That dry spell is about to break.
The chill in the Connecticut air yesterday didn’t cool off the sheer speed on the turf. Wide receiver Skyler Bell, a Bronx native, stole the show. Bell already crushed the combine with a 4.40-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical jump. Yesterday, he backed up those numbers with flawless route-running. You could hear the crisp thud of the football hitting his gloves from the upper bleachers. Bell isn’t just a workout warrior; he earned consensus All-American honors in 2025 after hauling in 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Fagnano’s Aerial Assault
Quarterback Joe Fagnano threw the passes to Bell during the drills. Fagnano transferred from Maine and fought through adversity to command the UConn offense. He lit up defenses last fall with 3,448 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and a microscopic single interception. Fagnano reads the field like a veteran chess player. He projects as a solid Day 3 pick who can anchor a quarterback room and provide immediate backup value.
Tight end Louis Hansen also drew plenty of eyeballs. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 240 pounds, the former Michigan transfer brings the sheer size NFL tight ends need to survive in the trenches. He flashed soft hands and fluid hips during red-zone simulations.
“We came out here to prove we belong with the big schools. I know what I put on tape, and I know what I can do against anyone in the country. We just want that opportunity.”
— Skyler Bell, UConn Wide Receiver
What’s Next for the Giants
John Harbaugh won 193 games and a Super Bowl during his historic 18-year run with the Baltimore Ravens. Now, he faces a massive rebuild in New York after Brian Daboll’s midseason exit. The Giants need reliable targets to jumpstart an anemic offense. Finding a mid-round gem like Bell could accelerate Harbaugh’s vision for a tough, disciplined roster.
The Patriots share that exact same need. New England desperately wants offensive weapons who can separate from tight man coverage. Bell fits that profile perfectly. The heavy presence of both Northeast franchises suggests a potential draft-day bidding war for these Husky standouts.
