MaxPreps 2016 Connecticut National Signing Day wrap

Video: Keyion Dixon's highlights vs. Southington High

The University of Connecticut football team improved to a respectable level this past season thanks a stout defense and kicking game. The Huskies' offense was near stagnant, though, ranking in the bottom 10 nationally in both scoring and total offense.

UConn may have found help nearby from three homegrown recruits — Tyler Coyle of Windsor, Keyion Dixon of Glastonbury and Jasen Rose of Southington.

Coyle (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) is projected as a safety, but could just as easily play receiver. He had 29 catches for 741 yards and eight touchdowns his senior year to help the Warriors to an undefeated regular season and the 2014 CIAC Class L-Small Division title, the first in program history. He also had 28 tackles, five interceptions, deflected four passes and recovered two fumbles as a senior. He's cleared 6 feet, 10 inches in the high jump during this winter track season, tied for best in the nation.

"He could play wide receiver for us, but he could also play safety," UConn head coach Bob Diaco said. "We're almost at the flip of a coin ourselves as to what he can be. He's such a great athlete."

Dixon (6-1, 176) is projected as a receiver. "Athlete" is a more apt designation. He played quarterback and threw five touchdowns, but was more dangerous as a runner (1,514 yards, 21 touchdowns). He also had 38 tackles and four interceptions as a defensive back and helped Glastonbury to its eighth-straight Class LL playoff berth.

"Keyion Dixon is an interesting athlete," Diaco said. "He is not a quarterback. He's not a college quarterback. He knows that. He will play wide receiver for us. He's going to be a great one. He can really fly. He's quick, athletic, accepts the ball, in and out of his breaks. Wherever he went, he'd be rated as the top player. It's a huge opportunity for us."

Rose (6-4, 225) moved from tight end to quarterback his junior season and helped Southington win 31 straight games over two seasons and the 2014 Class LL-Large title. He completed 59.6 percent of his passes as a senior for 2,636 yards and 39 touchdowns and ran 94 times for 371 yards and 14 touchdowns. He will be an "F" tight end, a hybrid position that moves the player around the formation from receiver to fullback.

Be sure to keep up with the latest photos, videos and information on top recruits on the MaxPreps Signing Day Page

"You think of Jay and you think of like a flagship guy," Diaco said. "You have a brand of cars and the cars have a flagship. This guy here was one of the highest rated players in the state. He could have went, in our area and beyond, anywhere he wanted to go. He can play a lot of different positions and he chose the University of Connecticut."

Eight other Connecticut natives signed letters of intent with FBS schools Wednesday.

* Charles Baldwin, OT, 6-5, 310, Windsor (2014 grad), Alabama

Via ASA College of Brooklyn, N.Y., Baldwin earned NJCAA All-America second-team honors this past season and was rated a four-star recruit by 247sports.

* Scooter Harrington, TE, 6-5, 240, Greenwich, Stanford

Rated the state's second-best recruit by 247Sports. Had 24 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns as a senior and was a 2016 Under Armour All-American.

* Tahj Herring, CB, 6-1, 188, Suffield Academy, UConn

Three-star recruit had 28 tackles and two interceptions as a senior and four picks as a junior. A New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class A All-Star his junior year.

* Geoffrey Kirk, TE, 6-4, 230, Avon, Army

Had 19 catches for 379 yards and four touchdowns his senior year. An All-Central Connecticut Conference Division III East pick who didn't play football until his freshman year.

* Lucas Niang, OL, 6-6, 294, New Canaan, TCU

The third-ranked state recruit by 247sports who helped the Rams win back-to-back Class L championships. Lead blocker for an offense than gained 4,390 yards with 54 touchdowns.

* Koby Quansah, LB, 6-1, 220, Kingswood-Oxford (West Hartford), Duke

Three-star recruit had 104 tackles, two sacks, three blocked punts and two forced fumbles as a senior. Helped Kingswood win its third-straight Fairchester Athletic Association title and its first New England championship.

* Tuzar Skipper, DE, 6-4, 245, Norwich Free Academy, Toledo

Via Monroe College of Bronx, N.Y. A two-time second-team all-conference pick at Monroe. Played two seasons at Norwich Free Academy and helped the program qualify for its second state title game in 2012.

* Isaiah Wright, WR, 6-2, 207, Kingswood-Oxford (West Hartford), Temple

Three-star recruit had 91 catches for 1,917 yards and 19 touchdowns over two seasons for the three-time FAA champions. Started as a freshman for Class S champion Holy Cross of Waterbury.