AMHERST — Last season, the UMass football team struggled with injuries at defensive back, something head coach Don Brown said hurt the team.

In the offseason, the Minutemen used the transfer portal to recruit a host of defensive backs with lots of football experience, mostly at the FCS level. Some mainstays from last year return, including Te’Rai Powell, Tyler Rudolph, Isaiah Rutherford, Jeremiah McGill and Jerrod Cameron. All five played at least 10 games last year. While McGill and Cameron are both redshirt sophomores, the other three bring a combined 14 years of experience into this season.

Through the portal, UMass added FCS grad-transfers Arsheen Jiles (Sacred Heart), Lake Ellis (Bryant), Jashon Watkins (Tennessee State), Leonard St. Gourdin (Dartmouth) and Kamren Watkins-Hunter (Georgetown). They also added sophomore Brennen Bailey (Division 2 West Liberty) and redshirt junior Ryan Barnes (Notre Dame).

While many UMass transfers come from Power Four programs seeking more playing time, the defensive back room is full of players who earned all-conference honors at the FCS level and are now moving up to FBS. The quartet of Jiles, Ellis, St. Gourdin and Watkins-Hunter come into this season with 118 combined games of FCS experience. Defensive backs coach Mike Livingston said this year’s group is one of the most experienced he’s ever worked with.

“I can own any other mistake they make as long as they’re giving technique and effort throughout the day,” Livingston said of the transition from FCS to FBS. “So that’s how we get them going, we get them super-focused on the technique and running to the football and that’s how you play in a Don Brown defense, turning and running to the ball.”

Jiles, St. Gourdin and Ellis have been especially singled out by players and coaches for their play during camp. Jiles played for Livingston for two years at Sacred Heart and knew Powell from their days playing New Jersey high school football together.

Defensive coordinator Keith Dudzinski expects the transfers to fight with the returners for playing time.

“We just want those other guys right behind them to challenge them, make them better everyday,” Dudzinski said. “We’re trying to get more competitive with our players, create as much competition within the program, and let’s see who rises to the top as we get ready to play Eastern Michigan.”

Where cornerback depth hurt UMass a year ago, Brown now sees it as a non-issue. Livingston said he’s excited to work with a group that has so much experience.

“When you’re getting guys that have played real football,” Livingston said, “you start to feel really good about what gameday will look like.”