The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1538921
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 ■ 23 from an under-the-radar high school re- cruit to one of the most coveted transfer portal players, and now he's among the top performers in the country heading into the 2025 campaign. The former UConn standout was a pre- season all-conference selection by the media at ACC Kickoff, while he has seen his name added to watch lists for the Bi- letnikoff and Mackey awards. He is also On3's No. 1-ranked tight end nationally heading into his last year with the Pack. But even though he's one of the best tight ends in America, Joly still feels like there's a lot more to learn. It's the motiva- tional force that got him to this point, and he believes it will carry him even further in the months and years to come. Unfortunate Timing The football staff at New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep is used to seeing top col- lege coaches stop by on recruiting trips. Theirs, after all, is one of the Northeast's most successful high school programs. During the 2021 season, the Gaels boasted a few of the top prospects in the nation, including future five-star cor- nerback Ellis Robinson IV, the eventual No. 2 player in the 2024 cycle. But when Rutgers coach Greg Schiano landed his helicopter on the school's property, he couldn't help but notice Joly, even with so many elite players on hand. "Why are we not recruiting that kid?" Schiano muttered as he watched the three-star tight end, ranked No. 2,112 in the country, run around at practice. The COVID-19 pandemic ended up costing Joly some power-conference op- portunities. His junior campaign, one of the most critical years for any high school recruit, was played in the spring without college coaches on the road, which kept the tight end off the radar of nearly every FBS program. But his film alone was able to generate plenty of interest from nine FCS teams. He committed to Delaware, believing the Blue Hens were likely to be his best option. Although his recruitment was slow, Joly wasn't a late bloomer; he finished his high school career with 123 receptions for 1,827 yards and 22 total touchdowns. Joly was an integral part of the Gaels' 2021 New York Catholic state championship as a senior, hauling in 67 receptions for 1,033 yards and 10 scores in 12 games. "When things got tough, he always wanted the ball. Whenever it was a tight moment, he pulled us out of it," Iona Prep coach Joe Spagnolo said. "I'll always re- member him as a winner and a guy that definitely made the players around him better." While the top programs around the country had roster spots filled by the time Joly emerged on their recruiting board, a coaching change at UConn allowed the tight end to find a home at the FBS level. The Huskies' new tight ends coach, John Marinelli, was tasked with develop- ing a Northeast recruiting pipeline in his first season with the program. He had a longstanding relationship with Spagnolo, and Joly quickly emerged as one of his top priorities in the 2022 cycle. Joly had the skill set to play on a bigger stage. He just needed a program that was willing to take a chance on him. UConn had the means to do it, and the Huskies opened a new door for the playmaker. "He was a kid that you see on film and you're sitting there thinking, how does he not have any FBS offers?" Marinelli said. "Coach [Jim] Mora saw his tape and loved him, too, just wanted to firm up some things to make sure he could grow. He was 205 pounds on his official visit. Could he grow to 230, 235 pounds and keep the same agility and speed? We already de- cided we were going to offer before we put him on a scale." UConn offered Joly on Nov. 28, 2021. He decommitted from Delaware the next day and joined the Huskies' class on Dec. 14, just 24 hours after his official visit. " If you want the ball, just catch it. It's as simple as that. When the ball is in the air, and it's just you and one other person or two others, just go catch the ball. You want the ball more? Just catch it." Joly