The Minuteman Command has a post-spring Wide Receiver review.
If the Minutemen are to improve in 2026, an improvement in the productivity of the wide receivers is strongly needed. We were flatly terrible in 2025. The top two receivers had a combined ZERO touchdowns. There was no deep threat at all (a tight end had the longest reception of the year).
When Ty Harding went down, that effectively stopped the UMass passing game. As in a dead stop.
This year Harding is back and if his injury did not reduce his skills, he should make a significant improvement in production.
Joe Griffin is a legitimate FBS WR and had a productive two years with Boston College. If he can regain his former level of production, UMass could have a double threat at wide receiver.
Coach Harasymiak has recruited well in his first two years and I think freshmen WR's Tavian Dashiell, Kai Owens and David Moore are true FBS-level receivers. If they're good in this era, then they'll be gone in a year or two, so why not play them while they're here?
There has also been a positive buzz about freshman WR Drew Alsup. Nobody made any plays for UMass last year. Alsup seems to be the type of guy who will make some if given the chance.
Overall, the talent level seems much improved from 2025. Now it's up to them to show it on the field.
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UMass opens it's season with Rutgers. Sports Illustrated previews the Big Ten and ranks the Scarlet Knights well,--- at least ahead of Purdue.
SB-Nation looks at Rutgers schedule and predicts a 5-7 season with a "big, big" win over UMass.
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