UMass Football Spring Practice - Part 5

by Kevin McCaskill Jr.

5/1/26 * 12:00 PM

(AMHERST, MA) - The Minutemen concluded their Spring Practice sessions last week, culminating in the Spring Game on Saturday.

This article will have notes on the Spring Practice session on 4/21 and the Spring Game.

SP 4/21

Tuesday 4/21 was the last Spring Practice session open to the media. It was more of what had been happening in the previous sessions: drills, game simulations etc.

One part of the practice I saw, that I hadn’t got to see in the other sessions, was the coordination between the Offensive Coordinator and the Offensive Line coach getting OL protections in-sync with the QBs. They were working on setting protections, with various verbal and hand signals.

All the QBs on the roster are mobile, some more than others. This year, OL pass protection is crucial. In order to get the ball consistently to WRs, TEs and RBs, the QB on the field needs protection.

WR Devin Matthews made some good catches. Drew Alsup continues to earn himself playing time. The WR group and the TE group have to make catches and find the end-zone this season. There is more than enough talent at the skill positions for this upcoming season.

All Spring, we have tracked the progress of the QBs but keyed in on “Pop” Watson and RJ Johnson III. Last Tuesday was no different. We’ll talk about the QB situation more in a few…

Spring Game

When I got to McGuirk on Saturday morning, I saw activities for kids. People outside, not full tailgating but close. Music was playing from the stadium at a good decibel level. It felt different than the Spring Game I had been to in 2023.

(FPM File Photo, 4/29/23)

We knew the structure of the game was going to be more practice than game.

“Pop” Watson was the 1st QB to play. The ball moved well and Watson scored on a scramble.

The 2nd QB to play was true Freshman Aedan McCarthy. I was a little surprised. Due to UMass Athletics Media Guidelines, I can’t tell you why I was surprised but I was.

The 3rd QB to play was returning QB Will Perry. I was shocked. Due to UMass Athletics Media Guidelines, I can’t tell you why I was shocked but I was.

The 4th QB to play was transfer RJ Johnson III. When Johnson was on the field, he threw a TD to Justin Williams Thomas.

Watson got some more snaps and showed why he is in the best position to be QB1. He had a couple completions to his new teammate Joe Griffin Jr. He also made a long completion to returning WR TY Harding.

Perry threw a great TD pass to Kezion Dia Johnson.

K Derek Morrris made a 45 yard FG.

It wasn’t all offense however. The defense made a lot of plays throughout the game. The DL was definitely getting some pressure on the various QBs but they couldn’t be tackled for obvious reasons. There weren’t many running lanes. CB Rahiem Sexil got 2 INTs and retuned one of them for a TD. Sexil plays a lot of intensity. He could be the player to help lead this secondary to where they want to be.

QB Competition

HC Joe Harasymiak hasn’t named a starter yet.

“Pop” Watson is in the best position to be the starting QB in September.

(Will “Pop” Watson; Photo Credit: UMass Athletics)

When summer camp hits, there will be a QB Competition and it might not just be between two guys.

The two best QBs on the roster are Watson and Johnson.

Harasymiak described McCarthy has a “Create-A-Player” in one of his media availabilities.

I have said that McCarthy has the strongest arm of three.

Johnson throws the best deep ball of the 3.

Watson overall is the best QB.

Here are two drawbacks for each QB:

Watson - Height; 2 FBS starts. He is listed @ 5’11”. My only concern is his passes getting tipped by DL @ the line of scrimmage. He started 2 games in 3 years @ Virginia Tech. He doesn’t have the starting experience that a coach might prefer.

Johnson - Accuracy; Previous level of competition. As the Spring Practice sessions progressed, Johnson’s accuracy improved but it’s not a strength currently. His throwing motion, in my opinion, is the primary cause of his inaccuracy. He started 10 games @ the FCS level. Even though the Minutemen haven’t been great, the competition they play has been good, to great.

McCarthy - Accuracy; no D1 experience. He struggled the most with accuracy but it was relative to his teammates. He is a true Freshman. Things that worked in High School might not work at the D1 level.

Perry - Arm strength; mobility. He made a great pass in the Spring Game; overall he doesn’t have a strong arm. He also isn’t the fastest when the opportunity to scramble presents itself. His movement in the pocket could be more dexterous.

HC Harasymiak has to make the right decision @ QB this year. With the talent the Minutemen have at the skill positions, this could be a high-scoring offense, if the QB position is solidified.

It will be 3 months before camp starts for the Minutemen to get primed for the 2026 season.

No other coach or coaching staff in the Minutemen’s FBS history has had the institutional support they have currently.

Amherst WILL see more people from Hampden County this football season.

The best time to turn around the UMass Football program, is now.