UMass Football News--May 21st, 2026

 The MAC blog "By-the-Belt" has a detailed breakdown of the MAC Conference's options
on it's 2027 media package.

This warrants careful reading. The upcoming media package is a big deal for UMass. The media money will be a major source of income for the athletic dept. 

The MAC's last package was too long in duration. As the article relates, ESPN went through multiple revisions during the lifetime of the contract. Sports viewership is a big part of today's media. The traditional networks have imploded and sports provides, in many cases, the only thing to watch.

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The proposal that the Big 10 and the SEC pool their media rights is controversial.  

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Who would televise the proposed 24-team college football playoff? 

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UMass Football Recruiting 2027--Ben Tagianetti

 

Ben Tagianetti, a 6-3 305 pound IOL from Williston-Northampton will take an OV to UMass in June.

247Sports page here. 

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

Tagianetti has 17 offers including Army and Navy. Buffalo has offered from the MAC. He is scheduled to take OV's to UMass and Temple. The Minutemen offer a opportunity to join the new look UMass offense and stay in New England. 

UMass Football News--May 19th, 2026

 

The Minuteman Command has a post-spring quarterback review.

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The MAC Blog "By the Belt" predicts the starting QB for all 13 MAC teams. 

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 The UMass athletic dept has a video interview with Coach Harasymiak after Spring ball.

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UConn to the PAC-12?

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UMass Football Recruiting 2027--Seth Kidd

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 Seth Kidd, a 6-2 285 pound DL from Itawamba Community College has a UMass offer.

Indians bio here. 

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

Kidd had 30 TT and 4.5 SACKs in nine games for the Indians. That's good production for a DL.

Kidd has a Power Four offer from Kansas State. UMass, Louisiana Tech, Jax State, Southern Miss and Troy have offered from Group-of-Five. He could get an excellent education and the potential for lots of playing time with the Minutemen.

UMass Football Recruiting 2028--Demetrius Ingram

 

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Demetrius Ingram, a 6-1 185 pound Safety from Miami, FL has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here. 

Hudl.com has video highlights. 

 24 minute interview with Ingram.

MaxPreps has stats. 

Ingram has 20+ offers including more than 12 Power Four bids including Auburn, Cal, Florida State, Illinois and more. Syracuse and Pitt have offered from the northeast. Sacramento State and Western Michigan have offered from the MAC.  He could get an quality  education and early playing time with the Minutemen.

UMass Football Recruiting 2029--Cortland Florence

 

Cortland Florence, a 6-0 165 pound Athlete from, Hallandale, FL has a UMass offer.

Hudl.com has freshman highlights. 

Only a freshman, Florence already has Power Four offers from SMU, Miami and North Carolina. UMass, Temple, FIU and Eastern Carolina have offered from Group-of-Five. Florence could play either side of the ball in college. He could get a fine education and play FBS-level football with the Minutemen in Amherst. 

UMass Football Recruiting 2026--Hollis Dirstine commits to UMass

 

Hollis Dirstine, a 6-2 285 pound graduate transfer DL from Bryant University has committed to UMass.

Dirstine's Bulldogs bio here. 

This article covers Dirstine's contributions to the Bryant game against UNLV in 2023. 

Dirstine has appeared in 33 games for the Bulldogs and should be a solid addition to the Minuteman defensive line.