AMHERST — The UMass football team took to the practice field for the first time this spring from the bubble behind McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Tuesday morning.
After six weeks in the weight room, the Minutemen chose to start practices later than last season, waiting until after spring break. Over that month-and-a-half stretch, the players focused on getting stronger and faster, while adding body weight.
Tuesday was the first opportunity for the work to show up on the field, despite just wearing spider pads instead of full shoulder pads and not hitting. Harasymiak is excited to see how the time in the weight room has paid off, itching to be able to start full-contact practices as soon as possible.
“Obviously, [there are] certain rules on live tackling and how much you can do, but we’re [going to] do as much as we can. We are going to get after it,” Harasymiak said. “… As much as we can do, we’re going to do because I think that’s what we need.”
Although it’s tough to take too much away from the first day of the spring, it was the first time Springfield native and highly anticipated Virginia Tech quarterback transfer William “Pop” Watson III suited up in a Minuteman jersey.
Despite Tuesday featuring the redshirt junior just wearing practice threads, he did get plenty of reps within the offense. His zip on the ball, along with his mobility as a dual-threat signal-caller, was evident, making some impressive plays throughout the day.
“[Watson III] sees [the field] very well,” Harasymiak said. “… He’s gonna be smart. He’s [going to] check the ball down, do what he needs to do… and then put one over the top when he needs to… He’s got arm talent, and he’s wiggly.”
At just 5-foot-11, the quarterback is definitely on the shorter side, especially when standing alongside the rest of the position group. RJ Johnson III and Will Perry each measure in at 6-foot-2, while true freshman Aeden McCarthy clocks in at 6-foot-5.
Johnson III brings the most experience to the quarterback room, appearing in 11 games as the starter for Florida A&M last season. Perry found his way into one game during the 2024 season with UMass, attempting just 11 collegiate passes.
With multiple solid options at the sport’s most important position, the Minutemen have their hands full finding out who will be the day-one starter. Harasymiak did make it clear that he doesn’t want a carousel at quarterback like his team had last season.
“I think they all bring something to the table,” Harasymiak said. “… Our quarterback play last year was atrocious. It is what it is. So going into the portal, we had to establish that.”
The other areas of focus for the Minutemen in the transfer portal were to bring in more size and speed, along with finding the type of people who would gel with the rest of the roster who stuck around.
UMass’ current roster includes 84% of Harasymiak’s players that he has brought in himself, with each one believing in UMass being able to turn things around. The head coach feels confident that pushing his players hard this spring will be what makes all the difference at the beginning of the season.
“We are the worst football program in FBS since 2011-12,” Harasymiak said. “I’ve been very upfront. This [isn’t] gonna be easy. I told them… ‘I’m going to grind you into the earth. And when you think you’re going to quit, we’re going to keep going.’ It’s never been clearer to me than what this team needs.”
Tuesday also marked the Mid-American Conference’s schedule release, setting the Minutemen up with their opening game on Thursday, Sept. 3, on the road against Harasymiak’s former team in the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
The other non-conference games for UMass come on Sept. 12 at home against Sacred Heart, Sept. 19 at home against Stonehill and Oct. 24 on the road against UConn.
Sept. 26 will be the team’s first MAC contest, hitting the road to take on new conference member Sacramento State. After back-to-back home games on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 against Eastern Michigan and Miami (OH), the Minutemen hit the road on Oct. 17 to take on Buffalo.
Over the last four weeks of the season, UMass hosts Ball State on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Akron on Wednesday, Nov. 18, traveling to Toledo on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Bowling Green to end the regular season on Nov. 28.
The Minutemen will continue spring practices through April 21, before their spring game on April 25, their last day of work for the spring. Over the next few weeks, the team will be doing everything it can to get back on track.
“I’m an 0-12 FBS head coach,” Harasymiak said. “No one’s coming after me in three, four years if I don’t get this done. So we got a lot of skin in this game, and that’s what I’m talking about with the kids, the players, the coaches. We know what we have to get done, and that’s win. Go, win. That’s what we’re trying to do.”