Few programs have a bigger hill to climb than UMass.
Last year, the Minutemen returned to the MAC and promptly went 0-12, scoring just 15 touchdowns and finishing last in the nation in points per game (11.1). It was their 16th straight losing season. Now second-year head coach Joe Harasymiak and the Minutemen can only go up, and there is optimism that improvement is likely.
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UMass Season Preview
One of the biggest offseason moves was hiring offensive coordinator Max Warner, who knows the MAC well. Warner was an offensive analyst last season at Toledo and was an assistant at Bowling Green from 2019-2024, with the last three seasons serving as co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. There are also some key transfers that Harasymiak hopes will elevate this program to a competitive level. Last year, all but two of the games were lost by 17 or more points.
Key Players To Replace
Quarterback AJ Hairston, who threw for 957 yards and four touchdowns, transferred to Merrimack. Grant Jordan, who threw for 595 yards and three touchdowns in his lone season at UMass after four at Yale, is out of eligibility.
Leading rusher Brandon Hood, who rushed for a team-high 368 yards, transferred to Southern Miss. Jacquon Gibson, who had 63 receptions for 616 yards to lead UMass in both categories, transferred to Virginia. Derrieon Craig, who played the Star position, had 81 tackles in his final season. Linebacker Rashad Henry, who had 67 tackles including 16 against Akron, transferred to UCF.
The Quarterback Situation
Much of the hope for improvement lies with the addition of redshirt junior quarterback William “Pop” Watson III, who was with Virginia Tech the previous three years. The 6-foot, 200-pound Watson, who is from Springfield, Massachusetts, is known for his athletic ability.
He just needs reps after attempting just four passes last season for the Hokies. His best season with Virginia Tech was 2024 when Watson made two starts among his five appearances and completed 34 passes for 481 yards with a touchdown. He has dual-threat ability, and it’s hoped that he will be able to ignite the offense.
Key Returning Players
Linebacker Tyler Martin recorded 104 tackles and was a third-team all-MAC selection. Tight end Max Dowling had 20 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns. In eight games last season, fellow tight end Reece Adkins had nine receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. Jaxon King competed in seven games last season on the offensive line and could help at either tackle position.
Safety Zeraun Daniel recorded 75 tackles and two pass breakups in nine games. Linebacker Timmy Hinspeter appeared in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury. He was credited with 69 tackles, including four tackles for loss and two sacks. Cornerback TJ Magee appeared in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He is expected to help in the secondary.
Derek Morris converted 10 of 16 field goal attempts and was 13 of 15 on PATs. Morris also set a school record with a 55-yard field goal last year at Akron.
Key Returning Players
Redshirt freshman long snapper Grant Mills is a transfer from Ohio State, where he appeared in two games. Technically, defensive lineman Joshua Nobles is not a newcomer, since he was on the team last year, but he missed the season due to injury after transferring from Jackson State.
Joseph Griffin Jr. is expected to upgrade the receiving corps after spending the previous two seasons at Wisconsin. His best college season came in 2023 with Boston College when Griffin caught 25 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown in 12 games.
Andrew DePaepe, who appeared in four games with national champion Indiana last year, is a huge addition to the defensive line. Running back Justin Williams-Thomas is among the newcomers looking to boost the ground game. Last season, he rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns at Marshall.
Also expecting to help the ground attack is Jordan Washington, who rushed for 340 yards and three touchdowns last season for Murray State. Aitor Urionabarrenechea is expected to help the interior offensive line after spending the previous three seasons at Colorado State, appearing in 25 games. Greg Knox III appeared in 25 games over the past four years at McNeese State and could be a factor at offensive tackle.
UMass’ 2026 Schedule
- 9/3 at Rutgers
- 9/12 vs. Sacred Heart
- 9/19 vs. Stonehill
- 9/26 at Sacramento State
- 10/3 vs. Eastern Michigan
- 10/10 vs. Miami (Ohio)
- 10/17 at Buffalo
- 10/24 at UConn
- 11/4 vs. Ball State
- 11/11 at Toledo
- 11/18 vs. Akron
- 11/28 at Bowling Green
Bold indicates MAC contests
UMass’ MAC Title Betting Odds
UMass’s college football betting odds to win the conference are +30000, via BetMGM. Those are the worst odds in the 13-team MAC.
UMass’ Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- UMass’ win total Over/Under is 2.5
- The Under is at +115
- The Over is at -150
UMass Season Prediction
I like the Minutemen to go over 2.5 wins. For that to happen, UMass likely has to win both games against FCS competition and one other against an FBS school.
The two FCS games are both at home and in consecutive weeks against Sacred Heart and Stonehill. It’s not a given that the Minutemen will beat an FCS school, especially since Bryant won at UMass last year, 27-26. This year’s UMass team appears improved and neither Sacred Heart nor Stonehill are expected to be contenders in their respective conferences.
While the offense struggled, the defense also allowed 38.6 points per game. A defining statistic is that UMass was outscored 139-33 in the first quarter last year, meaning most of its games were over after the first 15 minutes.
The key will be how the transfers produce. With Watson at quarterback and other key transfers, UMass has the ability to win three games, although nothing will likely be easy for a program looking for respectability.
