Our resident UMass guy Ryan Barry out-did himself with this one. If you’re looking for the most in-depth Minuteman preview anywhere, you’ve come to the right place…
By Ryan Barry
NEFJ Staff
The UMass Minutemen return to the Mid-American Conference in 2025 under new head coach Joe Harasymiak.
Now on a fifth head coach since the FBS era began back in 2012, the Minutemen are in desperate search of stability. A stable conference home and the return of some key players from last year’s campaign may offer fans a glimmer of promise for yet another transition campaign, but even the slightest glint of optimism can quickly turn to turmoil when following this program.
Harasymiak, however, arrives with deep New England ties and a reputation for building tough, disciplined teams. The hope in Amherst is that he can break the cycle.
2024 Recap
Going into former head coach Don Brown’s third year back in Amherst, the vibes couldn’t have been higher around the Minuteman program. A supposedly healthy Taisun Phommachahn, an impressive crop of transfers, and a favorable schedule in the first half of the season appeared like all systems go at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
Instead, reality hit in Week One. A 28–14 home loss to Eastern Michigan — a team UMass was expected to handle — included a first-half shutout that immediately raised questions about the offseason hype.
Two straight losses against future MAC opponents Toledo and Buffalo, the latter being a 34-3 beatdown in Western New York, was just about as nightmare of a start as you could expect.
Had the Minutemen not staved off a feisty Central Connecticut team at home the following week, frustration in Amherst might have boiled over entirely. Two more losses to more future MAC opponents, this time to Miami (OH) and Northern Illinois, solidified a 1-5 start to an otherwise promising season.
A blowout home loss to Missouri gave way to their best win of the season against Wagner of the FCS, but two more losses that followed saw Don Brown dismissed as head coach of the program.
With interim coach Shane Montgomery at the helm, a spirited first half effort at Georgia eventually gave way to a blowout loss, with another the following week at home to UConn to wrap up a disappointing 2-10 season.
Offensive Preview
Quarterbacks
The Minutemen enter the season with one of their better situations at quarterback in years. While other new UMass head coaches haven’t fared so well in this department, Harasymiak has three signal callers with starting experience under their belts.
Brandon Rose, a redshirt junior transfer from Utah, was named the Week One starter in mid-August. The California native appeared in three games for the Utes in 2024 before a foot injury ended his season. Health is the concern — especially after the last prized Power Four transfer quarterback in Amherst was hampered by nagging injuries. But if Rose stays on the field, he has the talent to elevate this offense.
AJ Hairston, a true sophomore, returns after being thrust into action last season. Given the circumstances, his 480 yards and five touchdowns across four games were an impressive showing of poise..
Graduate transfer Grant Jordan arrives from Yale, where he led the Bulldogs to a 7–3 record with 1,939 passing yards, 22 touchdowns to just three interceptions, plus 360 rushing yards and five rushing scores. One of the Ivy League’s top dual-threats, he provides a steady hand and valuable experience.
Redshirt freshman Will Perry returns to provide depth at the position, while true freshman Zach Lawrence, an impressive three star recruit who fielded offers from Boston College, Minnesota, and Marshall, will most likely redshirt.
With Rose in charge and multiple capable backups behind him, quarterback is as strong a position as UMass has had in years.
Running back
The Minutemen struggled to get consistent effort at the running back position in 2024. While the since transferred Jalen John (Coastal Carolina) and CJ Hester (Michigan) each had their moments, their combined impact didn’t land as much as expected.
This year’s group is again full of question marks but carries plenty of intrigue.
Redshirt junior Rocko Griffin has an interesting pedigree but arrives in Amherst after a season at UTSA where he amassed just 44 yards. The season prior to that, however, he had 483 yards and six touchdowns. Prior to his time in the desert he spent three years at Vanderbilt where an impressive 2021 season saw him as the teams leading back with 511 yards and four touchdowns, including two 100+ yard performances against Tennessee and Ole Miss. A falling out with the program in 2022 saw him leave campus midway through the season.
Griffin figures to be the lead back, but his interesting history of up and down seasons make him a wild card.
Graduate transfer Juwan Price arrives after stints at North Texas, Syracuse, and New Mexico State, with his best performances coming from his time with the Aggies. The veteran should be in the mix even though he’s never really found his footing.
Brandon Hood, a redshirt freshman from Colorado, adds speed and upside. A former three-star recruit with Power Four offers, he could carve out a role quickly. Cookie Desiderio, a big-bodied redshirt sophomore, is the only returnee who saw action last year and will be a situational asset in power packages.
If even one of these backs emerges as a reliable option, it will greatly expand offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian’s playbook.
Wide Receivers
The receiving corps could be one of UMass’s most exciting units in 2025.
Redshirt junior T.Y. Harding is the most exciting player to return on offense. His speed can be deadly, and his 334 yards and five touchdowns are highest among returning receivers.
Fellow redshirt junior Jacquon Gibson also returns after a 270 yard and one touchdown campaign in 2024. Gibson is incredibly athletic and capable of making big plays, so he’ll be expected to take a big step forward alongside Harding.
Transfer size is also a theme: Jake McConnachie (Pitt) brings a 6’5 frame to the outside. Donnie Gray (Northwestern), at 6’2, reunites with Bajakian from their Big Ten days. Tyree Kelly (South Florida) adds another 6’3 target. Redshirt juniors Savion Robinson and Dallas Elliot, who looked good in the spring, could also feature.
If this group builds chemistry with the quarterbacks, it could be the most improved unit on the roster.
Tight Ends
Tight end was a weakness in 2024, but there’s hope for a turnaround.
Graduate transfer Reece Adkins (UCF/Eastern Kentucky) brings experience, while Max Dowling (UT Martin/Kansas) stands out after posting 278 yards and five touchdowns last season. At 6’6, he offers size and red-zone presence. Owen Anderson, a redshirt junior, returns as the only tight end with a catch last year (two for 13 yards) but has battled injuries. Freshman Jax Markovich, who held offers from Army, Cal, and San Diego State, is a name to watch.
Any production here will be a welcome bonus.
Offensive Line
Once considered a strength coming into last season, the offensive line underachieved in 2024, allowing too many sacks (89th nationally) and struggling with consistency.
This year’s group features some talented players capable of handling their roles, but still remains a question mark as far as depth is concerned. Redshirt senior left tackle Ryan Mosesso will anchor the line and be a key cog in the wheel of this unit.
Graduate transfer Kyle Brown of Dartmouth and redshirt junior Sullivan Weidman from West Virginia will provide valuable veteran experience on the interior of the line.
Redshirt senior Benjamin Roy Jr., who’ll anchor the center position, was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Third Team. Redshirt senior Mao Glynn II should step up at the tackle position,with redshirt junior Jaxon King and redshirt freshman Tanner Burlingame also in the mix.
Fellow Ivy league graduate transfers Michael Entwistle from Harvard and Luke Painton from Columbia, who was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Fourth Team Offense, will also provide depth and experience.
Behind them, freshmen Gavin Wilson and Garrett Cooper, plus former Duke/Northwestern transfer Zachary Franks, could also earn reps. While the group hasn’t had much time to gel, the influx of experience should stabilize things. Keeping the quarterbacks healthy will depend heavily on this unit’s growth.
Defensive Preview
Defensive Line
Concerns along the defensive line came to fruition in 2024 in what was a mostly challenging season for this group The Minutemen ranked 123rd in team sacks, 121st in team tackles for loss, and 118th in rushing defense.
Harasymiak will lean on a mix of transfers and veterans to flip those results.
Senior Joshua Nobles (Jackson State), an Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Fourth Team selection, headlines the newcomers. He’ll be joined by a trio of big-bodied transfers: Shymell Davis (Maine), Malachi Madison (Virginia Tech) and Tim Passmore Jr. (UConn). With most of this group pushing the 300-pound mark, they’ll add much-needed size inside.
Graduate transfer Marques White (McNeese/Dartmouth) arrives with several years experience under his belt, while redshirt junior David Onuoha follows Harasymiak from Rutgers. Among returnees, graduate Tim Grant-Randall was one of the lone bright spots in 2024, at times single-handedly holding down the line. Redshirt senior Zukudo Igwenagu, who missed all of last season with injuries after a strong 2023, could be a major boost if healthy.
Brothers and Massachusetts natives Jermaine Wiggins Jr. and Jaden Wiggins also return with hopes of carving out bigger roles.
One of the most intriguing names is Romando Johnson, a coveted three star recruit who was rated the 58th best edge prospect by 247 Sports. The freshman spent the spring semester as an early arrival on campus at West Virginia after being a highly touted recruit with multiple Power Four offers, but instead transferred to Amherst over the summer.
The size and depth look better than last season — but production will determine whether this unit is truly improved.
Linebacker
Like the defensive line, the linebacking corps endured an up-and-down 2024. This year’s group is younger but offers upside.
Redshirt junior Tyler Martin is the leader and tone-setter in the middle. Alongside him, Yale graduate transfer Dean Shaffer, a 2024 captain of the Bulldogs, brings experience and leadership. Redshirt junior Timmy Hinspeter, a Rutgers transfer, was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Fourth Team Defense, a tremendous sign for a player that’s yet to set foot in a UMass uniform.
Nick Hawthorne (Boise State) joins returnees Donovan Dyson and Rashad Henry, while true freshman Dinos Drossos (who held a Nebraska offer) could also see the field. At the hybrid “star” position — a linebacker/defensive back combo — UMass has intriguing depth. Senior Derrieon Craig returns after recording 44 tackles in 2024. He’s joined by graduate transfers Malcom Green (Virginia/Clemson) and Zachary Ferris (Dartmouth), both listed at the position.
The key here will be health. UMass has options, but depth behind the front-line players is thin.
Defensive Backs
The secondary was one of UMass’s few bright spots last season on defense, finishing 12th nationally in passing yards allowed. Still, the Minutemen struggled to generate turnovers and gave up the most yards per completion in the country.
At cornerback, redshirt senior Ryan Barnes will hope to anchor the position after a solid first year in Amherst after transferring from Notre Dame. Transfers TJ Magee (Davidson) and Raheim Sexil (FIU) provide depth, along with returnees Brennen Bailey and Kamren Watkins-Hunter.
Safety is where UMass adds the most experienced transfers: DD Snyder (Ball State) started 11 games last season, tallying 55 tackles. Landing a proven MAC player in Year One of rejoining the conference is invaluable. Zeraun Daniel (Georgetown) brings ball skills, with seven interceptions in his first two seasons. Kendall Bournes (Concord University) adds depth after a strong D-II career.
Among returnees, redshirt junior Jeremiah McGill is the lone safety with significant experience, finishing with 28 tackles last season.
Like much of the roster, there are plenty of bodies here — but the question remains: can this group replicate last year’s success while creating more turnovers?
Special Teams Preview
It’s no secret that the UMass special teams unit struggled mightily in 2024.
Kickoffs were a particular challenge for the Minutemen as they ranked dead last in the FBS in kickoff return defense and 105th in kickoff returns. This year they’ll hope that new special teams coach Joe Castellitto’s arrival from Dartmouth can lead to better results on the field.
The first cog in the wheel to setting a better special teams group in motion will be getting the most out of the speedy TY Harding in the kicking and punt return game. He showed flashes last season, including an impressive punt return touchdown against Wagner.
The second cog will be sophomore transfer kicker Derek Morris from Cal. After an 11-for-15 and 13 PAT season for the Golden Bears, including an ACC Specialist of the Week nod, the transfer, who was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Fourth Team, should make an immediate impact.
The final cog is the impressive Aussie punter Keegan Andrews who has impressed in maroon and white all the way back to the spring game. The senior transfer from Texas A&M has a powerful leg that could be a real weapon for the Minutemen.
With years of strife for UMass special teams, any type of trajectory upward is welcome.