Commitment continues to pour in for the UConn Huskies. Jason Candle and Co. added a talented offensive tackle to the 2026 roster that took a major hit following Jim Mora’s departure to Colorado State.
Offensive tackle Hannes Hammer committed to UConn from the transfer portal on January 20, 2026. The 6-foot-7, 313-pound tackle from Virginia Tech announced his commitment to the Huskies with two years of remaining eligibility. The player announced his decision via X.
“Let’s do it,” Hammer wrote.
Virginia Tech OT Hannes Hammer is committing to UConn, a source tells @chris_hummer.
The 6-foot-7, 313-pound redshirt junior appeared in six games the past two seasons. He has two years of eligibility remaining.https://t.co/eQu7jprID2… pic.twitter.com/nGYIncCzox
— 247Sports Transfer Portal (@247SportsPortal) January 21, 2026
Hammer earned three-star recruit status in the 2023 class, ranked as the No. 69 offensive tackle on 247Sports and the No. 25 recruit in Virginia. On 247Sports’ composite, he was evaluated as the No. 1,012 overall player in the Class of 2023, the No. 76 offensive tackle, and the No. 29 player in Virginia.
Hannes Hammer’s Career Before Arriving to UConn
Virginia Tech was the only Power Four school to offer Hammer, despite his elite physical tools and size. His other six offers came from Appalachian State, Dartmouth, Eastern Michigan, Massachusetts, Richmond, and William and Mary. He officially committed to Virginia Tech on January 14, 2023.
Hammer’s college career at Virginia Tech began in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, during which he did not see game action. In 2024, he played in one game before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.
During the 2025 season as a redshirt junior, Hammer logged 17 snaps across the season while earning a 62.6 overall Pro Football Focus grade. It was the highest among Virginia Tech’s four offensive tackles listed on the roster. Of his 17 snaps, five were pass blocking attempts (earning a 25.9 grade) while 12 were run-blocking snaps (earning a 68.5 grade). He also lined up for six field goal/extra-point kicks during his limited playing time.
The offensive tackle brings the Huskies‘ elite physical tools. His exceptional height offers positional advantage. UConn’s offensive tackle room now features Hannes Hammer, Ben Mulholland, Nathan Pahanich, Raphael Greene-Nyarko, and Isiah Switzer, among others.
