AMHERST — After UMass football coach Don Brown, the Minutemen’s training staff and starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh mutually agreed on the decision to shut Phommachanh down for the spring season, the Bridgeport, Conn. native went right to work to guarantee his injured right knee wouldn’t be a problem come the first practice of the preseason.

And on Friday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, UMass’ QB1 looked as healthy as ever despite still sporting a heavy brace his leg. Phommachanh was “full-go” today, according to Brown, and it certainly looked like he’s close to 100 percent.

During UMass’ 7-on-7 drills, Phommachanh was lights out with his arm. The senior signal caller rifled multiple balls over the middle to his new group of pass catchers, including a 20-yard seed over the middle to Jacksonville State grad-transfer Sterling Galban. He also threw a dime to redshirt sophomore Jacquon Gibson down the left sideline, a ball that Gibson plucked out of the air for a big gain.

When practice shifted to live, 11-on-11 snaps, Phommachanh only got better. The ball came out quick, his decision-making was crisp and his receivers made plays on the other end. That portion of practice was highlighted by a 65-yard strike from Phommachanh to Eastern Washington grad-transfer Jakobie Keeney-James, who discarded a defender as he ran under the rainbow throw that dropped in his bread basket before taking off for six.

Although the passing aspect of Phommachanh’s game is usually put under the microscope, Brown has plenty of trust in his quarterback’s  arm – and for good reason with how he looked during UMass’ first day of practice.

The time off between spring and summer allowed Phommachanh to rehab his knee while continuing to throw the football. That seems to have paid off for him and it’s benefiting the rest of the Minutemen.

“That has never been the issue,” Brown said of Phommachanh’s throwing ability. “It’s  making sure he’s healthy and rocking and rolling [that’s been the problem]. I think he’s ready to have a big year. In kind of going through the process when we decided to shut him down, I think that was the right thing to do at the right time. And I think he’s about ready for it now. You’ll see that a little bit.”

Phommachanh threw for 1,507 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in his nine games played in 2023.

What has made Phommachanh so dangerous throughout his college career is his ability to escape the pocket and make things happen with his feet when a play breaks down.

Following his injury against Auburn in just the second game last year, Phommachanh wasn’t as mobile in his return to the huddle. He looked much more spry and agile on Friday. Offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery called several designed runs for Phommachanh, and he even took off for a 15-yard scamper during 11-on-11s.

One of the biggest question marks heading into preseason practice was the quarterback situation given Phommachanh’s status and the continuous emergence of sophomore quarterback Ahmad Haston. But the old veteran’s dedication and consistent workout regiment has him in great shape with UMass’ season opener (Aug. 31 against Eastern Michigan) now just four weeks away.

“I think he’s doing just fine, and he’s progressing the way we want him to,” Brown said. “I feel really good about where he is. That’s a good thing. I’m not gonna say a whole lot about him. I’ll let everybody else try to figure it out… He takes good care of himself. Really good.”