UConn dips into the transfer portal for quarterback, landing former Oregon commit

Ideally, UConn football coach Jim Mora wants to bring in a quarterback in every class. He stuck to that plan Wednesday — on National Signing Day, no less — dipping into the transfer portal for help. Former Northern Arizona quarterback Cale Millen announced his commitment on Twitter, writing “Let’s get to work.” The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Millen is an intriguing project, having pledged to Pac-12 powerhouse Oregon out of high school in 2019. Millen, a three-star recruit and a top-five prospect in Washington, did not play as a freshman before injuring his shoulder. He also didn’t throw a pass in 2020 for the Ducks but did appear on special teams, making two tackles, including one against Iowa State in the Fiesta Bowl. Millen then transferred to FCS school Northern Arizona. He appeared in seven games this past season as a backup, completing 7 of 15 attempts for 42 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. In Storrs, he’ll join a quarterback room that includes freshman Tyler Phommachanh, redshirt sophomore Steven Krajewski, and freshman Jacob Drena, a walk-on from Southington. Phommachanh would seem to have a leg up on the starting gig, but his health is in question coming off an October ACL injury. Millen’s the second transfer to join the Huskies this week, following former Old Dominion wide receiver Nigel Fitzgerald. The Huskies also had a player transfer out Wednesday in running back Kevin Mensah, the fourth-leading rusher in program history. Millen is the son of former NFL quarterback Hugh Millen, who was a teammate of Mora at the University of Washington during the 1980s. Mora, the former NFL and UCLA coach, introduced his first recruiting class earlier Wednesday, a group featuring five players with Connecticut ties, including Bristol Central running back Victor Rosa, the Gatorade State Player of the Year. Asked about his pursuits at quarterback, Mora said the Huskies were looking at both high school players and transfers. But he didn’t give the impression that anything was imminent. “There will be things to report as we move forward,” Mora told reporters in Storrs. “But as we stand here right now there’s nothing to report on that, other than we’re being very aggressive. “We’re going to sign a quarterback in every class. We have work to do there.” Consider their work done — for now. dbonjour@ctpost.com; @DougBonjour

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