AMHERST, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- The UMass Minutemen were back on the field this week preparing for the 2026 season after finishing winless. The additions of local football stars Pop Watson and Joseph Griffin Jr. may give them the talent needed to surprise doubters.

The Minutemen football team wrapped up their second practice of the spring on the UMass Amherst campus. With 30 newcomers added to second-year head coach Joe Harasymiak’s squad, two veterans of the team seem most excited about the prospects of the 2026 season. “It’s been great. We’ve all been gelling really, really well and Coach Gillick does a great job kind of taking all the different personalities, being able to coach everyone the right way, coach everyone hard, but love us at the same time, so it’s been great,” said Tyler Martin, a redshirt senior linebacker and Acton native.

Harasymiak’s focus for the team during spring practice is simple: compete against the man in front of them and in their position group to make them better. Even with so many newcomers on the team looking to earn their place on the depth chart, the team cohesion has impressed some of the upperclassmen so far. “In my fifth year here is just off the field as well. We are just so connected as a team which, I feel like, is what you really need to win games. You know what I’m saying? Because in order to be good on the field, you got to trust your brothers, you know what I’m saying?” said T.Y. Harding, a redshirt senior wide receiver and Cambridge native.

With key additions at all their skill positions and new offensive coordinator Max Warner, the Minutemen seem ready to surprise some people and do something that’s never been done in Amherst. “Being here so long makes me more and more and more really want to win here. Like, I’ll die for UMass. Whatever it takes for UMass to win, I’ll do it,” Harding added. “My biggest goal right now is really to get us to a bowl game, get us to a championship, and win. Like, I need to win here, so that’s really why I’m here.”

The team still has 13 practices left in the spring, culminating with the spring game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium April 25 at noon. Parking lots will be open early.

UMass football will kickoff the regular season on September 3 on the road at Rutgers. Their home opener at McGuirk is September 12 against Sacred Heart.

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