UMass Football News--March 28th, 2026

 The Minuteman Command has a post on senior LB Tyler Martin.

 Martin appears in a post-practice video press meeting.

The center of the UMass defense was almost decent last year before Timmy Hinspeter went down. He was leading the MAC in tackles at that time. 

I'm optimistic about the LB room for 2026. Besides the returning veterans Martin and Hinspeter UMass added Khari Bendolph, Joshua Iseah and Kendric Council. The last two were productive players at their previous schools. 

STAR Michael Robinson II is a senior transfer from Rutgers and will probably function as a Safety/OLB. 

Redshirt Freshman Dinos Drossos is one of the highest rated recruits UMass has signed.  He should see some playing time is 2026. All-in-all, I think the 2026 LB room is maybe the deepest unit on the team. 

Defensive coordinator Jared Keyte should have enough talent to play some defensive packages and have a more aggressive defense this year. The middle of the defense could be a strength in 2026.

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Former UMass players Ta'Rei Powell, Ellis Merryweather and Macklin Ayers will suit up for the UFL. 

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UMass Football News--March 27th, 2026

 

The Minuteman Command has a post on WR T.Y. Harding feeling a new era in UMass football.

Harding's UMass bio here. 

Harding's injury last year caused the wheels to come off the Minutemen's passing game.

The stats from the WR room were brutal.

Opponents had 29 passing TD's. UMass had 8.

Five of the eights TD's were by UMass TE's (as was the season's longest reception)

Our leading receivers last year:

1. Jacquon Gibson 63-616 ZERO TD'S
2. Donnie Gray 27-260 ZERO TD'S

This year Harding, plus Wisconsin transfer Joe Griffin and Devin Matthews should give us far more offensive firepower. I also like true freshman Kai Owens. He's one of the highest rated recruits ever to sign with UMass. He may be too good to redshirt.

 

 Harding talks to the press

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 Coach Harasymiak's opening press conference.

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Western Mass News has a post on the opening of Spring practice.

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UMass Football News--March 26th

 Alright, catching up.

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The Greenfield Reorder says UMass kicks off Spring practice with high hopes.

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The MAC finally publishes its 2026 schedule. 

By the Belt looks at the league's schedule. 

Updog Sports analyses the MAC's collective schedule. 

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 UMass held its Pro Day yesterday.

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The Minuteman Command reports Coach Harasymiak thinks the 2026 roster is improved. 

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The Minuteman Command also has a post on transfer QB Pop Watson drawing interest from UMass fans and media.

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If you are looking for something to watch, some sports networks replay the NCAA tournament basketball games. I think the game of the playoffs so far is the St. John's-Kansas game. 

The first half was ragged, but the second half was magic.  It's worth watching. Far better than Celebrity Survivor Chef or the other crap the networks are turning out..

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UMass Football Bog news--March 24th 2026

 I'm feeling under the weather. I will try to resume posting to the Blog later in the week.

Go UMass.

 

UMass Football News--March 23rd, 2026

 Well Saturday was the Vernal Equinox. Each Spring is a new beginning. UMass football starts the 2026 season tomorrow. The Minutemen return 50 players from last year and 29 new players join the roster. This should give the coaches a good knowledge of the talent level at the end of Spring practice.

A UMass roster tracker is here. 

 UMass' Pro Day is going to be Wednesday March 25th.

The Spring Game will be April 25th. 

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WMUA Sports will apparently start a UMass Football 2026 show today at 3:00pm.

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And finally,

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UMass Football Recruiting 2027--Matthew Wagner

HUdl.com image

 Matthew Wagner, a 6-6 275 pound OL from Milton, MA took a Junior Day visit to UMass.

The Minuteman Command has a post on his visit. 

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

Wagner is drawing interest from a number of New England schools. The offensive line leads the way and Wagner could be a valuable addition to the UMass roster. 

UMass Football Recruyiting 2029--Owen Muldoon

 

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Owen Muldoon, a 6-2 213 pound LB from Springfield, MA has a UMass offer.

The Minuteman Command has a post on UMass recruiting Muldoon. 

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

MaxPreps has stats. 

UMass is the first offer for Muldoon. He should be drawing quite a bit of recruiting interest over the next three years. He could play in front of friends and family in Amherst and play FBS football to boot.