February 11th, 2020---Redshirt Freshmen

Sometimes last year it felt like we played everyone but the student managers. However, six freshman actually retained their redshirts. A number of them could be in the mix for some significant playing time in 2020

Dariyan Wiley, 6-3 200. Recruited as an "athlete" Wiley played as a WR last year. He appeared in four games and went 3-14 in catches. Wiley had 24 offers coming out of HS including most of the Sun Belt teams plus Navy and Kansas. The WR corps is arguably the most talented and deep unit on the Minuteman squad. Wiley could be a fixture over the next four years.

Taj Jones, 6-2 200. Another "athlete". Jones played defense in 2019 appearing in three games and had 3 UT's. Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" did a post and interview with Jones when he was recruited. Jones chose UMass over offers from Rutgers, Buffalo, Temple and more. At 6-2 he could gain weight and play OLB or he would be a big safety at 200 pounds. UMass needs all the help it can get on defense. Jones could be versatile piece of the puzzle going forward.

Garrett Dzuro, 5-11 200. Dzuro is listed as a pro-style QB but rushed for over 1,000 yards in his senior season in HS. He DNP in 2019. The UMass QB position should be wide open in 2020 and it will interesting to watch Dzuro in the Spring game.

Xavier Gonsalves, 6-3 250. Gonsalves played in one game in 2019 and had 1 UT and 1 AT. He set school records for career, single-season and single-game sacks as a HS junior in 2017. Defensive pass rush is something the Minutemen really need. UMass had 12 sacks for 58 yards (average one per game) in 2019. Gonsalves should be part of the defensive rotation in 2020.

Max Longman, 6-5 320. Longman DNP in 2019. The UMass offensive line rarely had more than seven or eight healthy players in 2019. Longman has a big frame and should help in 2020 and future years.

Xavier Graham, 6-3 315. Graham played in four games in 2020, which was the maximum he could play without burning his redshirt. If he played that many as a true freshman, he could be in the two-deep for 2020. BTW, he's from Niceville, FL same as 2020 QB recruit  Will Koch.

Jacob Orlando, 6-5 230. Listed as a TE, Orlando DNP in 2019. UMass does not return a starting TE in 2020 and the position should be wide open in 2020.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------