The UMass football team signed 21 recruits on National Signing Day on Wednesday, a crucial first step in reloading the roster after an 0–12 season. In his first full recruiting cycle, Minutemen head coach Joe Harasymiak matched the program’s total signees from the previous three years combined.
The 2026 class includes a program-record 15 three-star recruits and eight of the top 20 prospects in UMass’ history.
“We’re changing this place from the ground up, and I’m really excited about that,” Harasymiak said.
Quarterback
Aedan McCarthy | Bluffton, SC | 6’5″ | 220 Ibs.
UMass added just one quarterback this cycle, with McCarthy choosing Amherst over 11 other Division I offers. He finished his high school career with 6,643 passing yards, 69 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with 1,398 rushing yards and 20 scores.
“[McCarthy] takes care of the football,” Harasymiak said. “Incredible athlete, big dude, a big physical presence, great basketball player, great family.”
Running Back
Justin Lewis | Santa Ana, CA | 5’10” | 200 Ibs.
The Minutemen’s running back group is led by Lewis, the 14th-highest-ranked recruit in program history. The three-star back ran for 564 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.
TK Davis | Washington, D.C. | 5’10” | 190 lbs.
Davis picked the Minutemen over several Atlantic Coast Conference and Mid-American Conference offers. The physical back totaled 3,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in high school.
Wide Receiver
Kai Owens | Carpentersville, IL | 6’2″ | 175 lbs.
As the class’s top recruit, Owens comes with big expectations. The three-star wideout is the second-highest-ranked signee in program history, trailing only Lorenzo Woodley (2013). He drew offers from four other MAC schools after posting 1,628 yards, 106 catches and 17 touchdowns in his high school career.
“[Owens] will be one of the leaders, I think, from maturity perspective in our room,” Harasymiak said. “Just super excited to have his talent; long athletic and can go up and get it.”
David Moore Jr. | West Orange, NJ | 5’11” | 180 lbs.
Moore Jr. is the Minutemen’s next highest-rated wideout, ranking 13th in program history. The explosive athlete held 15 offers and brings 1,000 career yards and 12 touchdowns, plus defensive and special teams versatility.
Tavian Dashiell | Salisbury, MD | 6’0″ | 165 lbs.
Dashiell brings standout speed, earning his conference’s 2025 Offensive Player of the Year after posting 1,103 yards in 10 games. With 20 career touchdowns, he’s a proven deep threat.
Drew Alsup | Groveland, MA | 5’9″ | 175 lbs.
Alsup decided to stay in his home state of Massachusetts for his collegiate career, boasting 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Tight End
Matthew Tybor | Tolland, CT | 6’4″ | 240 lbs.
Another New England native, Tybor is the lone tight end in the class and was named to Lawrence Academy’s 2025 Class C All-Stars First Team Offense and First Team Defense.
Offensive Line
Ben Noome | Redding, CT | 6’9″ | 285 lbs.
“A giant that can move” is how Harasymiak described Noome, coming to UMass to play offensive line but boasting 66 tackles, 13 TFLs and five sacks in his senior season defensively.
Will McNamara | Colpoy’s Bay, Ontario | 6’5″ | 275 lbs.
Rounding out the offense, McNamara signs with the Minutemen out of The Kent School as the No. 14 recruit in the state of Connecticut.
Defensive Line
CJ Amobi | Upper Darby, PA | 6’3″ | 235 lbs.
The 15th ranked recruit in program history, Amobi won a state championship last year and had multiple three sack games this year, with over 35 TFLs.
“[Amobi] played his best against the best competition, and [is] just a kid that is just so raw that he can be developed into anything we want,” Harasymiak said.
Samuel Mulbah | Harrisburg, PA | 6’3″ | 260 lbs.
Mulbah was named a First Team All-Conference Defensive Lineman, with 106 tackles, 25 TFLs, eight sacks and two fumble recoveries in his career.
Donovan Murphy | Glenarden, MD | 6’4″ | 230 lbs.
Murphy is the 25th ranked prospect in UMass history, named the No. 42 recruit in Maryland.
Robert Ekins | Butler, NJ | 6’2″ | 260 lbs.
Breaking out during his senior year, Ekins tallied 37 tackles, 13.5 TFLs and six sacks this past season.
Linebacker
Moritz Strempel | Cologne, Germany | 6’3″ | 215 lbs.
Coming from the NFL Academy, was named the program’s Defensive Trench Warrior and hopes to bring physicality to Amherst.
“[Strempel’s going to] be a great, great MAC linebacker,” Harasymiak said.
Defensive Back
Terron Johnson | Harlem, NY | 5’11” | 175 lbs.
Johnson is the second highest ranked player in the 2026 class, coming in at No. 6 all-time. The No. 11 recruit in Connecticut is a two-time state champion, with impressive athleticism.
Corey “Deuce” Warner | Louisville, KY | 5’11” | 180 lbs.
Another agile defender, Warner slots in at No. 10 on the all-time rankings, as well as the No. 16-ranked recruit in the state of Kentucky.
David Chiavegato | Walpole, MA | 5’11” | 190 lbs.
Chiavegato is the No. 18 ranked recruit in Massachusetts, and was the first player to commit from his home state this cycle. He will also be playing for a state championship this weekend.
Ted Mondesir | Hamilton, NJ | 6’2″ | 190 lbs.
Although he’s set to play defensive back, Mondesir has great versatility, playing different positions all over the field on both sides of the ball.
Kareem Pruitt | Lansing, MI | 6’3″ | 180 lbs.
With great length and speed on the outside, Pruitt accumulated 46 tackles, six interceptions and 10 pass breakups in his high school career.
Kicker
Seamus McIntyre | Concord, NH | 6’2″ | 225 lbs.
McIntyre is an intriguing player, with unbelievable size at the kicker position. He was his team’s leading tackler, and could see time at linebacker for the Minutemen.
The NCAA transfer portal opens Jan. 2–16, giving UMass a 15-day window to add much needed talent for 2026. A strong freshman class helps, but portal success will matter most in the program’s turnaround.
“We’ve positioned ourselves now, [where] I feel really comfortable versus where I was last year,” Harasymiak said.