 |
| RB Justin Williams-Thomas |
The Minuteman Command has a post-spring review of the UMass running backs.
IMHO, except for Pop Watson, the running backs have the chance to provide the biggest improvement impact in 2026.
In 2025, UMass was #131 out of 134 FBS teams in net rushing. We were next to last in rushing TD's with 6 total for the season. QB Grant Jordan accounted for 2 of the six, so running UMass running backs scored 4 TD's for the season.
We averaged 2.81 yards/carry and 82.4 rushing yards a game.
Moving the running game to FBS average (about 150 yards/game) would make a big improvement in the Minuteman offense. Not to mention making Pop Watson look good.
UMass added Jordan Washington and Justin Williams-Thomas through the transfer portal.
I also like true freshmen TK Davis and Justin Lewis.
I didn't get the transfer portal 240-pound FB/H back I wanted, but Washington and Williams-Thomas have decent size.
Last year we rushed for 101 net yards against FCS Bryant and 69 net yards against Bowling Green (the next-to-last team in the MAC). Hopefully, that's in the past.
Go UMass!
