UMass Football News--March 19th, 2019

Josh Walfish has burning questions at the start of UMass' Spring football practices.

IMHO coach Bell and staff have the biggest rebuilding task since Molnar was fired. On offense, which was the team strength last year, Bell must replace the starting QB, the starting RB, the nation's best WR and and the entire interior offensive line. The return of Bilal Ally will help. Bel will have Mike Curtis who led UMass QB's with a 174.52 efficiency rating. UMass will also add Andrew Brito, a JUCO QB from the College of the Canyons. Brito was a Top-100 player from New Jersey in HS.

Development of the offensive line is more worrying. As I said in a previous blog post, the Minutemen have never finished above the #100 mark in rushing offense since the move to FBS. Jaylan Larry should start at center, but both guard positions are open. In addition to three starters UMass must find at least a couple reserves.

On defense the rebuild is even more total. The two top play makers in the front seven, Bryton Barr and Jarell Addo are both gone from a unit that finished in the bottom-five in any defensive category you wish to name. Last year's coaching staff struggled to put eleven players on the field. The 2019 UMass defense could be Isiah Rogers and ten new starters. Most of the defensive freshmen recruits will see playing time. It's going to take a couple of recruiting cycles before the Minutemen defense is re-stocked.

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Two Texas A&M-Commerce football players are shot and robbed during Spring break.

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