Jim Mora Has UConn's Next NFL QB Emerging
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Joe Fagnano’s rise with the UConn Huskies is more than a comeback story — it’s a story of patience, precision and perseverance.
Under head coach Jim Mora, the Huskies have transformed from a struggling independent to a legitimate bowl contender, and at the heart of that resurgence stands their veteran quarterback.
In his seventh collegiate season, Fagnano has delivered one of the cleanest statistical campaigns in college football, drawing the attention of NFL scouts and rewriting the narrative around UConn football.
His flawless decision-making and Mora’s steady leadership have turned the program into one of the sport’s most unexpected success stories.
The Unlikely Star Behind UConn’s Resurgence
Through nine games in 2025, Joe Fagnano has been nothing short of clinical. The senior quarterback has thrown for 2,529 yards and 22 touchdowns without a single interception — a feat unmatched among starting quarterbacks nationwide this season.
We need "Fagnano To NYC" campaign for UConn QB Joey Fagano:
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) November 1, 2025
- 24 total TDs
- 2,529 pass YDS
- 0 INTs pic.twitter.com/WONsuD93HH
Completing 68.1 percent of his passes while ranking 11th in passing yards and 13th in yards per game, Fagnano has established himself as one of the most efficient passers in the country.
His consistency was on full display against Boston College, where he posted a career-best 362 yards and four touchdowns, followed by 344 yards and three scores in a tight overtime loss to Rice.
Fagnano’s efficiency isn’t just a product of his arm talent — it’s the culmination of a long and winding journey. The Williamsport, Pennsylvania native began his career at Maine as a walk-on in 2019, eventually earning a scholarship after a standout camp.
Over four seasons with the Black Bears, he threw for 5,674 yards and 46 touchdowns while committing only 12 interceptions. A transfer to UConn in 2023 reunited him with offensive coordinator Nick Charlton, but a shoulder injury sidelined him after two games.
He lost the starting job the following year, only to reclaim it midseason and deliver 20 touchdowns with just four interceptions.
Now, at 25 years old, Fagnano has used his final year of eligibility to craft a near-perfect season. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 225 pounds, he fits the NFL prototype both physically and mentally. Head coach Jim Mora said it best.
“He trusts the people up front, he trusts his receivers, he’s going to throw it into tight spots.," Mora said. "He’s played a lot of football, and with that comes a lot of confidence.”
Jim Mora’s Blueprint for a Football Revival
When Jim Mora took over UConn in late 2021, the program was adrift. The Huskies had managed just four wins in four seasons, lacked conference affiliation, and were viewed as an afterthought in FBS football.
Mora, with nearly three decades of NFL experience, brought a professional structure and mindset to a team desperate for stability. His first year yielded a 6-6 record and the program’s first bowl berth since 2015.
After a rebuilding year in 2023, UConn returned to form with a 9-4 campaign capped by a Fenway Bowl win over North Carolina—the school’s first postseason victory since 2009. The momentum has carried into 2025. Now 6-3, UConn has secured bowl eligibility for the third time in four years under Mora.
“We’re bowl eligible for the third time in four years, which I don’t know how long it’s been since that’s happened around here,” Mora said. “But I think our goals are larger than that, and so there’s no satisfaction.”
Jim Mora on the team’s reaction to becoming bowl eligible: “We're bowl eligible for the third time in four years, which I don't know how long it's been since it's that's happened around here… But I think our goals are larger than that, and so there's no satisfaction.”
— Sam Calhoun (@_samcalhoun) November 1, 2025
Mora’s NFL background has given him an edge in the modern college landscape shaped by the transfer portal and NIL deals. He’s recruited strategically, landing playmakers like Skyler Bell, who ranks among the nation’s leaders in receptions and yardage.
His disciplined approach has also helped retain players despite lucrative offers from other programs — over $3.3 million combined, according to reports.
With a contract extension through 2028 worth $10.1 million, Mora has firmly established himself as the architect of UConn’s football revival. The Huskies have already matched their win totals from entire past decades, and Fagnano’s leadership has been instrumental in that progress.
Scouts now attend every practice, first drawn to Bell but increasingly staying for Fagnano. Mora acknowledged the shift.
“I think they’re obviously to see Skyler," Mora said. "Now they’re there to see Joe.”
Jim Mora on Joe Fagnano’s NFL stock: “We have scouts at every practice. I mean, we haven't had a practice in weeks where there hasn't been at least one or maybe several NFL scouts there. I think they're obviously to see Skyler. Now they're there to see Joe.”
— Sam Calhoun (@_samcalhoun) November 1, 2025
If Fagnano maintains his interception-free record through the final stretch and into bowl season, he could hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft or emerge as a top undrafted signing.
Regardless of where he lands, he’s already proven that experience, maturity, and relentless belief can rewrite any football story.
Aman Sharma is a sports writer who covers college, professional football, and basketball with an eye for detail and storytelling. With over two years of experience writing for outlets like The Sporting News, Pro Football & Sports Network, Sportskeeda, and College Football Network, he’s covered from the NFL and NBA to the NCAA and breakout athletes with a fan’s instinct and depth. Off the field, Aman is a gym and badminton enthusiast.