UMass Spring Practice - Part 2

by Kevin McCaskill Jr.

4/6/26 * 11:30 AM

(AMHERST, MA) The Minutemen continued their Spring Practice last week. The Minutemen have to build the foundation for winning now if they expect success in late summer and the fall.

The most interesting aspect of these practices has been the QB situation. “Pop” Watson, RJ Johnson III and Aedan McCarthy are competing hard for their roles. Last Thursday, all 3 QBs struggled with accuracy. Even with the struggles, Watson looked to be the most accurate among the three.

(“Pop” Watson answers questions from the media. Photo Credit: UMass Athletics)

K Derek Morris has kicked the ball very well in practice. If the Minutemen have any success this season, they will need timely FGs and sometimes from 40-50 yards. Morris looks like he is poised to have a very good season.

Last Thursday, I watched the defense a little more. This season, the Minutemen have to create more pressure from the Defensive Line and Linebackers. Transfer DL William DePaepe looks like he can fill that void for the Minutemen. He has a good burst with his 1st step when the ball is snapped. He is listed @ 6’6”, so he should be able to get his arms up and effect passes to get deflections or interceptions.

The secondary is a work in progress.

The pressure on HC Joe Harasymiak is palpable. Wins are needed in Amherst and it seems his sense of urgency is heightened.

Two offensive players stood out in practice last week - RB Justin Williams Thomas and WR Joe Griffin Jr.

Thomas is a transfer from Marshall. He is very agile and elusive, with breakaway speed. He could be a very important offensive weapon.

Griffin continues to display his ability to make catches and make tough catches. If they can get Griffin the ball, especially in the red-zone, the offense will have success.

Lastly, I had a brief but poignant and informative conversation with Thorr Bjorn. Bjorn is the Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Administrative Officer for UMass Athletics. We talked about a few subjects. One of those subjects was about McGuirk Alumni Stadium. I’ll have concrete reporting on that this upcoming week.

The UMass Football program has to change their trajectory. With the influx of new transfers and the past reality of a winless season, the status quo is no longer acceptable. Alumni, students and fans have supported this team, through the struggles on the field and a PR snafu or two. You can’t continue to ask those stakeholders to support the results they have received over the past twelve years as an FBS program and not expect apathy or waning support.

It’s early Spring in Amherst,

This year, there is a different feeling. We’ll see if it can translate to success on the field in 5 months.