STORRS — The UConn football team, ever in search of new offensive weapons, landed TJ Sheffield, a proven Big Ten performer, in the transfer portal.
Sheffield, 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds, spent five years at Purdue, redshirting his first season. He has one season of eligibility remaining, due to COVID. As a Boilermaker, he caught more than 30 passes for more than 300 yards each of the last three seasons, totaling 114 receptions for 1,186 yards, 10.4 yards per catch, and 11 touchdowns, including four catches for 28 yards and a TD in a 49-0 victory over UConn at Rentschler Field in 2021.
Committed @UConnFootball pic.twitter.com/Ns7Bxr3edm
— Tj Sheffield (@the_tj2) April 15, 2024
He also returned 32 punts for 261 yards over his career.
After committing to Michigan State in December, Sheffield de-committed in March and joined UConn on Monday, announcing his decision on social media after an official visit. Sheffield was considered a three-star recruit coming out of Independence High in Thompson’s Station, Tenn.
The Huskies, 3–9 last season, have been looking for receivers that can create some separation. The program has added Jasiah Gathings, a bigger target at 6-2, from Akron and Skyler Bell, 6-1, who prepped at Taft School in Watertown, through the portal from Wisconsin, where he had 69 catches for 740 yards and six TDs in 2022 and 23. Gathings had 55 catches for 575 yards and a TD as a sophomore in 2023.
The Huskies lost two of their three top receivers, tight end Justin Joly, to NC State, and Cam Ross to James Madison through the portal. Brett Buckman, with 46 catches for 488 yards, returns,
Coach Jim Mora and his staff is concluding spring practice with the FanFest, a practice/scrimmage at Morrone Stadium on Sunday at 12:30.
Everything you need to know for UConn football’s Spring Fan Fest
