UMass Football News--February 23rd, 2026

 Hustle Belt has what's good and bad about Sacramento State joining the MAC

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The President of Sacramento State has a "X" post on what FBS brings to the University.

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The Toledo Blade has a story on what teams should be considered for future MAC expansion. 

There are some interesting names in the article: UConn and Liberty are powerhouse athletic programs. South Dakota State has a flood of Permian Basin oil money. Western Kentucky has a basketball program all UMass fans could envy.

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Speaking of UConn, they just released their 2026 football schedule. 

Something called the the UConn round table has what reads like a AI-written post on UConn's schedule and calls UMass an FCS team..

 The Huskies 2026 schedule is significantly stronger than 2025. I think UConn's win total will drop sharply this year. 

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UMass Football Recruiting 2026--Ahkir Morgan

Hudl.com image

 Social Media reports Ahkir Morgan, a 5-10 170 pound WR/Athlete from West Orange, NJ will join UMass as a preferred walk-on.

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

This article covers his signing with UMass. in 2025 Morgan went 34-588 5 TD's, on defense he had 27 TT and 2 INT's 

UMass needs productive WR's. Morgan should have a chance to develop  his craft, earn a scholarship and  make an impact with the Minutemen.

UMass Football Recruiting 2026--Maurice Barnes, Jr

 

UMass social media reports Maurice Barnes, Jr, a 6-2 200 pound LB from Harrisburg, PA will join the Minutemen as a preferred walk-on.

247Sports page here. 

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

Raw Sports has a capsule post on Barnes.

Barnes had multiple offers back in 2024 including MAC teams Kent State and Akron. The Minutemen need defensive improvement and Barnes should have a wide open chance to earn a scholarship and make an impact in Amherst. 

UMass Football Recruiting 2026--Isaiah Simmonds

 

Isaiah Simmonds, a 5-9 175 pound WR from West Roxbury, MA has committed to UMass as a preferred walk-on.

Hudl.com has video. 

MaxPreps has stats. In his senior season Simmonds went 27-427 17.1 AVE 5 TD's receiving. Also rushed for 24-388 16.2 AVE and 2 TD's.

UMass needs offensive talent and Simmonds should be in a place where he can develop and earn a scholarship. It will be interesting to follow his career with the Minutemen. 

UMass Football Recruiting 2026--Jake McGrath

 

Jake McGrath, a 6-7 295 pound OL from Cambridge, MA has committed to UMass as a preferred walk-on.

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

UMass needs offensive linemen and has an excellent weight-training and performance facility. McGrath has a pro-sized frame and should have a great opportunity to develop a and earn a scholarship. 

UMass Football Recruiting 2028--David Sanger

 

The Minuteman Command has a post on David Sanger, a 6-4 285 pound OL from Williston-Northampton.

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

I saw his father David Sanger punt for the Minutemen back in the day. The elder Sanger's punting rank in the UMass record book is:

1. 2nd in career punting yards 236-9574
2. 2nd in punt attempts 236
3. 6th in average yards/attempt 40.57

His father was 2nd team All-American in 2001 and 1st team All-Atlantic 10 the same year.

Sanger the younger could keep the family streak going in Amherst.  

 

UMass Football News--February 16th, 2026

 

Two sources report Sacramento State will join the MAC as a football-only affiliate member in 2026.

They wouldn't let UMass do that, but I don't mind. One big negative of being an independent was no league media revenue. In 2027 the MAC's current media contract expires. There is hope the MAC will sign a much more lucrative contract at that time. College sports is one of the few popular TV offerings these days. MACtion has been a ratings success. 

Sacramento is a much bigger media market than Akron or Athens. This would be good for the league and UMass. And the Minutemen's share of the $15 million entry fee would not hurt either..

Hustle Belt reports here. 

Yahoo Sports reports here. 

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UMass adds Rich Worsell as offensive analyst. Worsell has extensive coaching experience including time in the MAC at Toledo.

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And from the invaluable Babylon Bee: 

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