Island Gator!
Evan Chieca, Lindenhurst native transfers to the University of Florida.
Olivia Faulkner
After excelling on the gridiron at New Haven last fall, Evan Chieca the tight end from Lindenhurst, NY will take his talents to Gainesville this autumn. The burly tight end stands at 6’5” and weighs 250 pounds and after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal will be playing ball at University of Florida in 2026.
Olivia Faulkner
In high school with the Lindenhurst Bulldogs, Chieca played varsity football for three seasons. He governed the team as a team captain his junior and senior years and received the merits of All-Division and All-County and earned the nod to the Suffolk All-Star Team. Chieca did not play his freshman year with the New Haven Haven Chargers in 2023, but jolted his numbers seeing much playing time his sophomore year with 12 catches for 79 yards playing all 10 games, scoring a touchdown while averaging 6.6 yards per reception.
Olivia Faulkner
The Charger bolstered his success on the field in his junior year on the south shore of Connecticut. Last season with his lofty height, he overpowered defenders to snag 31 passes for 255 receiving yards and found his way into the end zone 4 times with 4 receiving touchdowns. Chieca averaged 8.2 yards per catch and 25.5 yards per game while playing in all 10 contests. His breakout game came in the season opener at Marist when he reeled in 5 passes for 38 yards, scoring a touchdown.
Olivia Faulkner
In the win over UAlbany in mid-September, the Long Island native summated 6 catches for 42 yards with a receiving touchdown. In a victory over Pace in early October, Chieca hauled in 4 passes for 30 yards with a 6-point score. New Haven blew the doors off Western Connecticut State the following week 69-0 as the footballer from Lindenhurst made a 34-yard catch and run which was his longest reception of the season.
Olivia Faulkner
In a loss at Sacred Heart on Nov. 1, the Chargers tight end caught 5 footballs for 48 yards; the most reception yards he had in a game last season. And in the final game in a 41-31 win over Merrimack, Chieca caught a 20-yard touchdown toss to conclude the 2025 campaign with 5-5 New Haven. Chieca also made 2 solo tackles his junior year.
Olivia Faulkner
He became the 28th commitment Florida selected in the NCAA Transfer Portal while they also added two others to the tight end room with Lacota Dippre from James Madison and Luke Harpring from Georgia Tech. Chieca has two more years of eligibility and will look to shine with the Florida Gators this fall.
Olivia Faulkner