The chemistry was already there. As well, it should have been.

Pop Watson and Joe Griffin Jr. spent years making plays together at Springfield Central High School and even before that as members of the youth program, the Springfield Tigers.

With both now in Amherst, it looked as if they simply picked up where they left off during UMass practice this spring.

What UMass may not have expected was how quickly Watson would develop a similar rapport with T.Y. Harding.

The Griffin-Watson reunion generated plenty of excitement, but Harding’s spring may have been just as encouraging. Combined with the emergence of several young receivers and the addition of transfer Devin Matthews, the position left spring looking deeper, more explosive and more versatile than it did a year ago, despite losing the room’s most productive - and maybe the locker room’s most productive - player in Jacquon Gibson, who transferred to Virginia.

Wide receiver was one of the most intriguing position groups on the roster entering the spring and it only became more intriguing over the last several weeks.

Griffin looks to be the headliner.

UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak made it clear during the spring that the 6-foot-3, 208-pound receiver “has to be the guy” for the Minutemen this fall and it wasn’t difficult to see why.

The former Boston College and Wisconsin transfer gives UMass a physical presence that simply doesn’t exist on many MAC rosters. His size, catch radius and ability to win contested balls will make him a difficult matchup for opposing defensive backs and he consistently flashed throughout the spring while reconnecting with Watson.

What was more surprising was Harding’s connection with the new quarterback.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior has always been one of the most talented players on the roster, but injuries and inconsistent play from those around him have often prevented him from fully showcasing that ability. This spring offered some reasons for optimism.

Harding looked healthy. He looked confident. And he looked completely comfortable in new offensive coordinator Max Warner’s offense.

Watson and Harding connected repeatedly throughout the spring and there were times when Harding looked like the most difficult player on the field to cover. UMass fans have known about his talent for years. This could be the season the rest of the MAC learns about it too.

If Griffin and Harding become the one-two punch they appeared capable of becoming this spring, the Minutemen could have one of the better receiving duos in the conference.

The biggest wildcard in the room remains Matthews.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound East Texas A&M transfer was limited during the spring, but people inside the program continue to speak highly of his potential impact.

Matthews brings a different skill set than Griffin. He can create separation quickly, threaten defenses vertically and should also provide value in the return game. Several people around the program believe he can become the type of weapon Harding has been at his best.

Beyond the top of the depth chart, UMass appears to have more young talent than it has had in recent years.

Kezion Dia-Johnson continues to flash.

The 6-foot, 185-pound redshirt sophomore has consistently shown the ability to make plays when given opportunities. The challenge moving forward is turning those flashes into consistent production over the course of a season. The talent has never been in question.

The same can be said for Elijah Pedro.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound redshirt freshman continues to look like a promising young option. Pedro saw limited action last season, but his athletic ability remains obvious and it would not be surprising to see his role expand significantly this fall.

Dallas Elliott may not receive as much attention as some of the others, but the 6-foot-2, 195-pound redshirt senior continues to look like a dependable option. He could prove to provide valuable depth and experience.

Among the freshmen, David Moore Jr. generated immediate buzz as an early enrollee this spring.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder consistently looked dependable while also showing the type of long-term upside that excites coaches. Moore rarely looked overwhelmed and seemed to make steady progress throughout camp.

Possibly the most surprising breakout at the position was freshman Drew Alsup.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound receiver arrived early and with little fanfare, but quickly earned the respect of coaches with his approach, work ethic and attention to detail. Whether his immediate impact comes on offense, special teams or both, it feels increasingly difficult to imagine him not finding a role somewhere.

And while he wasn’t present for spring practice, many inside the program are eager to see what incoming freshman Kai Owens will bring as a summer arrival.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Illinois native finished his high school career with more than 1,600 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns and possesses the size and athleticism to compete for opportunities sooner rather than later.

Losing Gibson was an undeniable blow and if the receivers end up having a better season than the one Gibson had for the Minutemen a year ago, it will probably be due to improved quarterback play as much as anything.

But collectively, there is more talent in the room.

Griffin gives UMass a legitimate matchup problem. Harding appears poised for a breakthrough season. Matthews could add another explosive dimension. And the group of young receivers behind them gives the position a foundation that extends beyond 2026.

There are still plenty of questions to answer once the games begin.

But based on what UMass showed this spring, wide receiver has a chance to be one of the strengths of the football team this fall.

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The Don Bosco Prep standout talks about the impact of head coach Joe Harasymiak and linebackers coach Garrett Gillick along with the reactions of his brother - current UMass LB Tim Hinspeter - and his parents, who are thrilled to have four more years of tailgating in Amherst.

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UMass continued strengthening its pipeline into one of the nation’s premier high school football programs with Wednesday’s commitment of 2027 New Jersey linebacker Jack Hinspeter.

Don Bosco Prep head coach Dan Sabella believes the Minutemen are landing exactly the type of player they need.

Sabella has coached plenty of high-level prospects during his time at Don Bosco, but believes Hinspeter’s mentality is what immediately separates him from many others.

“I call him TCB, taking care of business,” Sabella told Minuteman Command. “He’s all business.”

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That approach consistently shows up in the way Hinspeter handles preparation and daily work behind the scenes.

“He’s very process-driven, always doing the extra stuff,” Sabella explained. “He’s not going to overlook anything. He’s not going to take anything for granted.”

The Don Bosco standout’s mentality mirrors many of the same traits that helped older brother Timmy Hinspeter establish himself inside UMass’ program.

“If you know anything about Timmy, Jack’s got a lot of those same characteristics,” Sabella said.

The younger Hinspeter also brings a physical style of play Sabella believes should translate naturally to the college level.

“He’s extremely physical,” Sabella said. “Uses his hands, loves to stick his face in there and really play a violent style of football.”

Sabella added the 6-foot-2, 222-pounder possesses slightly more length than his older brother.

“He’s a little bit longer than Timmy,” Sabella noted.

The connection between Hinspeter and UMass grew steadily throughout the recruiting process as Jack watched both his brother and the direction of the program under head coach Joe Harasymiak.

Sabella believes that comfort level eventually made the decision relatively simple for the linebacker.

“Jack’s a no-nonsense guy,” Sabella said. “He was just like, ‘This just feels right.’”

According to Sabella, Hinspeter never felt the need to unnecessarily drag out the process once he became convinced UMass was the correct fit.

“They like me and I like them,” Sabella said, describing Hinspeter’s mindset. “‘What else is there to say?’”

UMass also continues building momentum at Don Bosco after signing defensive tackle Robert Ekins in the 2026 class.

Despite the Minutemen’s 0-12 finish in 2025, Sabella believes people inside the football world understand the long-term trajectory Harasymiak is building in Amherst.

“The guys who know football and know Coach Joe, they know that no one’s judging anything from one year,” Sabella said. “There’s a plan in place.”

Sabella believes that vision is becoming increasingly clear to recruits and coaches throughout the Northeast.

“There’s a trajectory that we believe is going to happen. And it’s going to be a lot of fun to be a part of that.”

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For Jack Hinspeter, UMass never really felt like just another school in the process.

Now, the 2027 New Jersey linebacker is officially headed to Amherst for good.

The Don Bosco Prep standout announced his commitment to UMass on Wednesday, giving the Minutemen another important regional addition as Joe Harasymiak and his staff continue building the foundation of the program’s 2027 recruiting class.

Hinspeter’s connection to UMass began well before his own recruitment accelerated because of his older brother, Timmy Hinspeter, who currently plays linebacker for the Minutemen.

That familiarity initially helped introduce Hinspeter to the program, but over time, the relationships he built with the coaching staff, specifically head coach Joe Harasymiak, linebackers coach Garrett Gillick and defensive coordinator Jared Keyte, became the biggest factor in the process.

“Definitely the coaches, the coaching staff, Coach Gillick and Coach Harasymiak,” Hinspeter told Minuteman Command. “Those two dudes are tremendous people.”

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The Minutemen offered Hinspeter back in November and continued prioritizing him throughout the offseason despite increasing regional interest from schools like Delaware, James Madison and UConn among others.

Gillick helped spearhead the recruitment while Harasymiak remained heavily involved as well.

“They really just made it feel like home,” Hinspeter said. “They’re just such good people and it’s always fun to be around them.”

That comfort level steadily grew over multiple visits to Amherst, including trips for spring practices and last year’s spring game.

When Hinspeter finally informed the staff of his decision, the reaction only reinforced everything he already believed about the program.

“They were very happy,” Hinspeter said. “Coach Gillick, he was smiling and then Harasymiak, he kind of screamed.”

That excitement resonated with the Don Bosco standout.

“It just feels great,” Hinspeter said. “I’ve always wanted to be wanted and that feeling, it’s just great.”

The family aspect of the decision also remained important.

Hinspeter acknowledged his older brother made it clear the decision was about much more than simply following family ties to Amherst.

“My brother said he was so proud of me,” Hinspeter said. “It’s not even just because he’s there that I’m going there. He was telling me it’s because he knows how hard I’ve worked for it.”

His parents were equally excited about the decision.

“They get to spend another four years down at UMass,” Hinspeter said. “They love it. They love going tailgating before the games.”

Like many recruits, Hinspeter admitted there were moments throughout the process where seeing teammates land Power Four offers naturally caught his attention and created curiosity about what else might eventually come.

Still, the feeling surrounding UMass consistently remained difficult to ignore.

“At the end of the day, I knew UMass was probably going to be my home. And now that it is, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

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There may not be a clear-cut RB1 at UMass yet, but that may not be a bad thing.

What the Minutemen do appear to have now is a deeper and more versatile running back room.

A couple of young returners in Da’Marion Alberic and Elijah Faulkner have flashed intriguing ability throughout their time in Amherst while transfer additions Jordan Washington and Justin Williams-Thomas bring experience and physical maturity.

Washington may ultimately become the most important piece of the group.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound transfer from Murray State missed the spring with an injury, but internally there’s clear excitement surrounding what he could eventually bring once he returns.

“I’m really excited about him,” Minuteman Command was told this spring. “I think he’s going to be a guy.”

As a redshirt freshman at Murray State in 2025, the Helena, Ala., native rushed for 340 yards and three touchdowns while adding 22 catches for 206 yards and another score through the air.

The expectation internally is that combination of size, physicality and pass-catching ability should translate well once he returns to the field. Exactly when that return happens remains somewhat unclear, but when Washington is back, there’s a strong belief he will give the position a serious jolt.

In the meantime, Williams-Thomas took advantage of the additional opportunities created by Washington’s absence and may have helped himself as much as anybody offensively during the spring.

The 6-foot, 210-pound veteran looked capable of handling lead-back responsibilities while bringing a steady presence to a relatively young room.

One source even compared his role to what Rocko Griffin brought to the offense a year ago.

Williams-Thomas’ path to Amherst has also been unusual. The Dallas, Ga., native began his career at Tennessee before stops at Cal and Marshall, where he rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns last season while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

Even with all that experience, Williams-Thomas still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Among the returners, Alberic may possess the most pure explosiveness in the room.

The redshirt sophomore from Atlantic High School in Florida showed flashes throughout the spring of the same burst and acceleration that made him a coveted recruit coming out of high school.

Faulkner, meanwhile, continued showing many of the same traits that allowed him to emerge as a reliable rotational piece as a freshman in 2025.

The Pittsburgh native appeared in all 12 games last season and carried that momentum into the spring while showing toughness and consistency between the tackles.

There’s also additional young talent arriving this summer in freshmen TK Davis and Justin Lewis.

Davis rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior at Archbishop Carroll in Washington, D.C., while Lewis arrives from powerhouse Mater Dei after previously rushing for more than 1,300 yards as a junior at Thousand Oaks before transferring for his senior season.

Overall, this room feels like it has a higher ceiling than it did last year, especially if sources are right in what they believe Washington will bring.

We’re not sure anybody will separate themselves as a true bell cow, at least not until Washington has his say, but that isn’t nearly as important in this era of college football as it’s been in the past.

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If there was one position on the roster where UMass simply needed a different level of play entering the spring - there wasn’t…in fact, there were many- but, if there was one, it was quarterback.

And after 15 practices and the spring game, it’s pretty clear the Minutemen found that upgrade.

Pop Watson III entered the offseason as the expected starter and exited the spring firmly cemented as QB1 despite some outside speculation there could eventually be a controversy at the position.

There never really was one, which was apparent when Watson was made available to the media early in the spring.

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Watson looked exactly how UMass hoped he would look after transferring back home from Virginia Tech, steady, poised, athletic and noticeably more physically developed than the player many local fans remember from Springfield Central High School.

Watson is clearly thicker than he was when he came into College Football, something that should help him hold up better as a runner over the course of the season. While UMass isn’t going to run QB Power repeatedly, throughout the spring, Watson consistently showed he can create offense with his legs when protection breaks down or plays are extended.

That ability matters because defenses now have to account for him as a legitimate running threat, which should only help open space within the passing game where Watson can really do damage.

More than anything else, Watson was simply consistent.

Not perfect, but very, very good throughout the spring.

There’s also little question how much faith first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak has placed in his new leader. The sense throughout camp was that Watson is being handed the keys to the program and being asked to become the face of UMass Football’s rebuild.

The relationship between Watson and first-year offensive coordinator Max Warner also became increasingly obvious over the course of the spring. Both have strong personalities and clear leadership qualities, but the comfort level between the two developed quickly and consistently stood out during practice settings.

Behind Watson, the expectation remains that fellow transfer RJ Johnson III will open the season as the primary backup.

Johnson arrives after throwing for 2,597 yards and 18 touchdowns against just four interceptions at Florida A&M in 2025 while completing 65 percent of his passes.

The Atlanta native looked capable throughout the spring and gives UMass another experienced, athletic quarterback option if needed.

Still, the long-term intrigue within the room centers around freshman Aedan McCarthy.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder from South Carolina clearly still has work to do adjusting to the mental demands and speed of the college game, which is entirely expected for a true freshman quarterback.

But the arm talent is impossible to miss.

Multiple people around the program and outside of it remain convinced McCarthy possesses Power Four-level ability and there’s already excitement internally about what he could eventually become once the game slows down for him.

Another intriguing piece will arrive this summer in former Drake quarterback Logan Inagawa, who was not on campus for spring practice.

Inagawa threw for 1,393 yards and nine touchdowns while adding nine rushing scores as a true freshman at Drake in 2025, helping lead the Bulldogs to a Pioneer League championship.

Overall, this quarterback room simply feels different than it did a year ago.

There’s more experience, more athleticism, more upside and perhaps most importantly for UMass, much more confidence surrounding the position entering the summer.

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UMass made a significant push to upgrade its roster this offseason.

Through the Transfer Portal and high school recruiting, the Minutemen added impact pieces across the board in players like Pop Watson, Joe Griffin Jr., Isaiah Reed, Justin Krueger, Corey Warner, David Moore and Aedan McCarthy, all of whom project to play meaningful roles either immediately or in the near future.

Drew Alsup wasn’t a name that anybody on the outside expected to be included in those potential immediate contributors.

But within weeks of arriving in Amherst as a late addition to the recruiting class with little - if any - fanfare, the true freshman walk-on wide receiver had grabbed the attention of everybody in the building.

“Drew Alsup is a special kid,” UMass special teams coordinator Joe Castellitto said. “He’s different.”

UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak pointed to Alsup’s mentality.

“I wish I could pour Drew into every single one of our players,” Harasymiak said.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder made plays throughout spring practice both on offense and on special teams, something that Harasymiak expected him to do eventually, but maybe not right away.

“Surprised that probably this fast he’s made an impact,” Harasymiak said.

But it’s clear Alsup didn’t come to UMass just to wait his turn.

“It’s a choice that he made to bet on himself,” Harasymiak said. “He had a lot of great opportunities, Ivy league opportunities.

“But he came here and bet on himself. And I would say he’s going to cash on that.”

The Williston Northampton School product earned First Team All-NEPSAC honors during his post-graduate season after previously starring at Central Catholic, helping lead Williston to a 7-3 record and a championship game appearance.

Harasymiak said Williston head coach Tommy Beaton has built his own program up by adding players like Alsup and that Alsup has proven to be everything Beaton said he’d be when the Minutemen were recruiting him.

“From the way that Coach Beaton talked about him and what we saw when we went to practice,” Harasymiak said of why they wanted to add Alsup.

“Let’s be real, he ain’t 6-1, he ain’t 6-2. That’s how those guys make it, right? And his mentality has just been great.”

That mindset shows up long before Alsup even gets on the field.

“He shows up at like 4:30 in the morning some days or 4:45, gets his body right for practice,” Castellitto said.

“I joke with him, he’s got a chair that’s his, basically, in the players lounge,” Harasymiak added.”He’s in there and he’s studying the playbook. And I’m sure he’ll get all A’s. So it’s just the mentality.”

And as the group of talented newcomers continue to try to earn a role on this year’s team, Alsup has already proven worthy of getting on the field right away.

“Someone like Drew is going to play,” Harasymiak said flatly. “I would be shocked if Drew didn’t play in some way. Whether it’s because injuries and all that stuff, but also he’s pushed himself. He’s put himself in that position and everyone’s got the same amount of time, same choices to make. So he’s probably the one that’s elevated the most.”

Whether he finds meaningful minutes at receiver or not, it seems obvious he’ll find his way onto special teams.

“The kid’s just hungry,” Castellitto said. “I can trust his work ethic, so it gives me faith in his ability.”

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The most noticeable thing about Joe Griffin Jr. these days is the club covering his right hand, the result of a deeply sliced pinky finger that required stitches.

But UMass is hoping the transfer receiver’s frame and athletic ability will allow him to stick out like a sore thumb in the MAC this fall.

“A lot of the guys in the league don’t look like that,” UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak told reporters on Tuesday, referring to the 6-foot-3, 208-pound Griffin’s physique.

“They just don’t. There’s not a lot of 6-3-plus guys that can elevate and go get it. So he’s got to be a weapon for us.”

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The former Springfield Central High School star has already proven capable of being a weapon at the college level, making an immediate impact as a true freshman at Boston College, where he caught 18 passes for 234 yards and five scores in 2022. He followed that up with 25 receptions for 345 yards and one touchdown as a sophomore before transferring to Wisconsin.

After sitting out as a junior in 2024, Griffin only caught one ball for five yards for the Badgers a year ago, setting up his transfer to Amherst.

Since arriving at UMass, Harasymiak said he’s seen Griffin mature.

“Been two spots, comes here, and now this is it for him, right?” Harasymiak said. “A lot of these guys with this new wave of college football with the Portal and NIL, this is it. This is his opportunity. So I think he’s grown. He’s got all the talent in the world.”

As a defensive coordinator at Minnesota and Rutgers before taking the head coaching job at UMass a year ago, Harasymiak has been around some elite receivers, including KJ Duff and Ian Strong in Piscataway.

“Joe’s got all that,” Harasymiak said.

Griffin has had to battle through some injuries this spring beyond just the cut finger, but he’s proven he can do so.

“He’s been out there for the last week with stitches in his hand and he’s catching the ball with a club on his hand,” Harasymiak noted.

The coach also lauded Griffin for the work he’s put in with strength coach George Greene.

“I think the biggest strides he’s made has to do with his body,” said Harasymiak. “He’s gotten bigger.”

Harasymiak is hoping a return closer to home and a reunion with his former high school and schoolboy quarterback Pop Watson will allow for a more comfortable atmosphere.

“I think he’s happy,” the coach said. “I think he’s enjoying it, but he has to be good for us. There’s no choice. You know what I mean? He has to be. He has to be the guy.

“He’s going to have to play the most football that he’s ever played, right? And the clock is running. So I’m excited for him and I think he’s taking the steps and he’s pushed himself, which I think in the past has been something that he hasn’t done. So I’m pleased with that.”

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Harasymiak talked about the format of Saturday’s spring game, how the team has progressed this spring, which new players have stood out and more.

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Kaiden Drinkwater left UMass last week with more than just impressions, he left with a clear sense of where the program is headed.

The 2027 Massachusetts wide receiver made his way to Amherst last Tuesday and came away with a strong understanding of both the scheme and the vision being built within the program.

“It was awesome,” he said. “It was fun. I really like what they’re building over there. I think this year will be a lot different. It will go smooth over there.”

The Tabor Academy star holds offers from UMass, Duke, Maryland, Syracuse, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, James Madison, Old Dominion, UConn and Rhode Island among others, and the in-state program made sure to show him exactly how he could fit.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder got a full look at the operation from start to finish.

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“I got there early in the morning,” he said. “Team meeting, position meeting, all that went smooth. Got to see some of the concepts that they run. Then I went out to practice.”

That included a close look at the offense, including quarterback Pop Watson, in action.

“Practice went well,” he said. “Got to see them live. Pop looked really good.”

After practice, Drinkwater spent extended time with head coach Joe Harasymiak, offensive coordinator Max Warner and wide receivers coach Jordan Hogan, where the message centered on transparency and long-term vision.

“It was good,” he said of his meeting with Harasymiak. “He kept it real. He told me his vision with the program, how he thinks he’s going to turn the place around and how he’s going to start really picking it up with high school recruiting, which I really liked.”

Harasymiak’s approach made Drinkwater confident in the coach’s ability.

“Just the way he carries himself,” Drinkwater said of Harasymiak. “He keeps it real. He really made me understand where he’s coming from and what he sees in his guys and why he got them there.”

Warner reinforced that message on the offensive side, breaking down how personnel fits into the system.

“The offensive coordinator did a great job at showing me some of the reasons why they brought in guys,” Drinkwater said. “Scheme fit guys for certain packages, like 11 personnel, 12 personnel. So I really got a good understanding of what they’re trying to do over there.”

Warner’s communication style also stood out.

“Very, very outgoing guy, really good dude, really genuine,” he said of Warner. “But like I said, he kept it straight up with me.”

UMass also made it clear where Drinkwater stands on its recruiting board.

General manager Jared Osumah spent significant time with him throughout the visit, while the staff emphasized how they would use him within the offense.

“Osumah, the GM, he was with me practically the whole time,” Drinkwater said. “Just talking with me. We were just talking about everything, talked a little ball, and then he just asked me about family and stuff.”

That level of attention left an impression.

“They treated me really well,” he said. “I got to meet with the receivers coach for like 20, 30 minutes, offensive coordinator, head coach, and they all just kept it real with me.”

As Drinkwater works through the next phase of his recruitment, he has a clear understanding of where UMass stands.

“Obviously P-5 is the goal,” he said. “But I told them I’m open to all options.”

Including the in-state.

“I’d be perfectly fine with staying home, playing football close to home,” he said.

There is also a potential return visit on the table.

“Possibly an OV in the summer,” he said.

For now, the visit provided clarity on both sides.

“They made it very clear if I were to make a decision super late, they’d still be an option, which I really like.”

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Few people can offer the kind of perpsective that Moore can.

A UMass graduate who previously served on the program’s coaching staff, including a stint as recruiting coordinator, he’s also built a reputation as one of the top prep school coaches in New England with stops at St. Thomas More, Loomis Chaffee and now Tabor Academy.

Moore offers detailed insight into each player’s development, skillset and how they project at UMass, drawing from firsthand experience coaching and competing against top talent across the region.

The discussion provides valuable context on how each could help UMass’ roster, highlighting key traits, leadership and upside each transfer could bring to Amherst.

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Familiarity wasn’t the biggest takeaway for Jack Hinspeter during his latest visit to UMass.

The 2027 New Jersey linebacker has been to Amherst multiple times, including trips last year when his brother, current Minuteman linebacker Timmy Hinspeter, first joined the program and again for last year’s spring game.

Those gave him a strong baseline for what UMass looked like previously.

This time, the differences stood out.

“I really got to see the new team,” Hinspeter said. “The culture is definitely at a whole other level and especially the energy at practice. The way they interact in meetings, the team definitely looks really good this year.”

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The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder from Don Bosco Prep spent time with defensive coordinator Jared Keyte and head coach Joe Harasymiak, with both meetings reinforcing UMass’ position in his recruitment.

“It was really just about how my recruiting is going and how he really wants me there and how I’m always welcomed,” Hinspeter said of Keyte. “He’s a guy I feel like I can get really close to. He’s very easy to talk to.”

The message from Harasymiak carried weight as well.

“He’s definitely a very true coach,” Hinspeter said. “He’s not going to tell me any BS. I really like him.”

UMass offered Hinspeter in November and continues to prioritize the New Jersey linebacker as he works through his process.

“He said he feels like I’ll know where I want to go after this spring and I always have a spot at UMass,” he said of Harasymiak.

Hinspeter is also considering schools like Delaware, James Madison and UConn while continuing to evaluate his timeline.

“I feel like it all just depends on what happens this spring.”

Even with the noticeable changes within the program, the familiarity of having his brother spending multiple years in Amherst and with the staff still provides a level of comfort.

“It definitely helps having him there. If it’s home to him, I feel like it would be home to me.”

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Jahir Charles walked into Joe Harasymiak’s office and walked out with something he’ll never forget.

The 2029 Massachusetts quarterback picked up his first scholarship offer on Tuesday from UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak during a visit to campus.

“I was straight smiling at first,” Charles said. “I was really blessed and my dad was glad and excited.

“They basically took me into Coach H’s room and we had a good conversation, good 10-minute conversation and he let me know.”

UMass’ message to the Springfield native centered on getting ahead of the game.

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“They wanted to offer me this early because they want to get into the future early,” Charles said. “They don’t want to wait to offer anybody they have their sights on. They think the future is going to be great and I think that too.”

The Springfield Central High School standout came away impressed with Harasymiak.

“Coach H is a great man,” Charles said. “He’s a great guy. I like all his emotions and how he acts. He’s really just a good guy.”

The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder also spent time with the Minutemen’s first-year offensive coordinator, Max Warner.

“Coach Warner is very active,” Charles said. “He’s aggressive. He’s cool, though.”

Charles has visited UMass multiple times and has developed a feel for the program.

“The things I like about UMass is the peace of it,” Charles said. “It’s not too much and it’s not too little. It’s a good amount. It’s nice in the facility. I like their locker room and I like their weight room. It’s calm.”

UMass is even more intriguing with new quarterback Pop Watson, someone Charles has worked out with and looked up to.

“I used to look up to Pop all the time,” Charles said. “Seeing him at UMass, it’s great. It’s exciting knowing that Pop, somebody I’ve been working out with is the quarterback.”

It’s early, Boston College and UConn are among the other schools that have shown interest. He has a return visit to UConn already in the plans.

As his recruitment begins to take shape, Charles has an idea of what will matter most.

“A coach that shows the most interest in me and a staff I can trust the most.”

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Max Warner isn’t interested in revisiting 2025’s 0-12 season.

Heck, he wasn’t even part of it.

The new UMass offensive coordinator made that clear the second time it was brought up during his initial press conference with reporters on Tuesday.

“You guys have said 0-12 twice, I don’t even talk like that,” Warner said. “I don’t even know what that is. I wasn’t here for that. A lot of these guys weren’t here for that. This isn’t an 0-12 team.

“This locker room, this group that we have right now, these guys are unbelievable. I just had a recruit this morning and his dad was like, ‘This group is awesome.’

“The buy-in is there, the commitment that these kids have in Year Two in the system with the coaches that have been here, that message has been resonating now for over 365 days.”

That mindset is part of what drew Warner to UMass in the first place along with familiarity with a league he’s spent seven seasons in - six at Bowling Green and one at Toledo - and an immediate connection with head coach Joe Harasymiak.

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“As soon as I got connected with Coach H, it was one of those deals, like you look down on the phone and it was a 90-minute phone call,” Warner said. “We’re really aligned in terms of our values, in terms of what he believes in, what I believe in. It was a really, really good first conversation that led to another.

“The next thing you know, I’m getting on an airplane to come out here. Just seeing this facility, I think in this conference with what we have to offer at Massachusetts, they’ve done a great job with the resources and how they’ve prepared themselves to get into this league.

“Obviously there’s a great opportunity to improve and then the opportunity to go do something that’s never been accomplished, I think is kind of a driving force for me”

Warner’s familiarity with the MAC helps shape how he views building a program capable of competing week to week and he’s also aligned with UMass general manager Jared Osumah.

“You want to try to get old in this league,” he said. “You want to try to have a group of veteran players, which is getting harder obviously now in the landscape.

“I think we’ve done that a little bit with the portal and kind of their shift of before I got here with Zoom and the support staff and the personnel people here, trying to switch their focus to guys that have experience, whatever level that comes from, guys who’ve played football.”

The results show that, according to Warner.

“You look at those teams that are there at the end, it’s guys who have played a lot of football, played a lot of snaps,” he said. “You’ve got to still have that belief of recruiting high schools and developing within your program, developing the young kids to believe in what the culture is, to understand what we’re trying to ask them to do with that.”

Warner’s goal is reaching the league championship game.

“I’ve been close, been knocking on the door for the last few years to get to Detroit, haven’t got there,” he said. “So it’s an opportunity to keep fighting for that, some unfinished business there. But just week in, week out, I love the competition in the MAC.”

Warner has also been encouraged by what he’s seen from the group since arriving on campus.

“I’m excited about our players,” Warner said. “It’s been fast and furious for the last 10 weeks. I think we’ve been off to a good start with the guys.

“Great buy-in from the guys who stayed here, great buy-in from the guys we brought in. I feel really good about the room. I feel really good about position by position, what we’ve been able to recruit here.”

Warner noticed that from the start.

“From the first day that I’ve been here, these guys have been fully committed to everything we’ve asked them to do,” he said. “A lot of connection going on in this group, I like our staff.

“The kids are working, doing everything that we’re asking them to do. So I can’t ask for a much better start in terms of spring with the direction that they’re going.”

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Warner, who spent the past several seasons in the MAC at Bowling Green and Toledo, said his familiarity with the league and belief in head coach Joe Harasymiak’s vision made the opportunity in Amherst an easy fit, with a focus on building a veteran-driven team capable of competing week-to-week.

On the field, Warner described a multiple, quarterback-driven offensive system rooted in a pro-style approach that emphasizes toughness, versatility and the ability to win in different ways, particularly late in the season.

He highlighted the energy of the quarterback room, led by Pop Watson, along with the development of the offensive line and tight end groups, while stressing that last year’s results have no bearing on the current team as the program works to establish a new identity centered on culture, execution and winning.

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Magee said the first two weeks of camp have been competitive and focused, with a strong emphasis on building connections across the roster. He highlighted improved chemistry on defense and across the team as a key difference from last season, noting that stronger relationships are translating to better communication and higher intensity on the field.

Magee also spoke about his recovery from last season’s scary injury and the perspective it gave him, calling the experience “eye-opening” and something that fuels how he approaches each day. He emphasized leadership, accountability and daily improvement as central themes for the group, pointing to a more connected, competitive team that is focused on getting better one day at a time.

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Pop Watson doesn’t shy away from pressure. He leans into it.

The UMass quarterback is embracing the expectations that come with transferring back home and stepping into a leadership role this spring.

“I’m a guy who loves pressure,” the Springfield, Mass., native said during a press conference on Thursday.

“When people try to put more things on me, I feel like it just makes me better. I look for more pressure. I look for the harder things, like the harder work.”

That mindset has shaped Watson’s early approach inside the program as the former Virginia Tech quarterback works to establish himself within the Minutemen’s offense and the locker room since arriving in January.

Watson has leaned into a leadership style built on consistency and effort rather than emotion, something that seems to have resonated with teammates on both sides of the ball.

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“I’m an understanding dude,” Watson said. “Everybody’s going to make mistakes. I’m not about to sit here and yell at anybody for mistakes. The only thing I want to see is effort. You pull the wrong way, you better pull the wrong way and knock somebody’s head off. That’s all I want to see.

“If the effort’s there, we can work with it. We can make things work.”

That approach has helped him build relationships quickly, including with cornerback TJ Magee, who has become tight with Watson and played a key role in helping the new signal-caller feel comfortable since arriving on campus.

“TJ was one of the first guys to show me, ‘Yo, you’re cool here,’” Watson said. “It made me feel comfortable and allowed me to be me. Then it just kept stacking day after day.”

Watson said the choice to come back home and play at UMass was an easy one after spending time with head coach Joe Harasymiak, offensive coordinator Max Warner and general manager Jared Osumah.

“I felt like it was an easy decision,” he said. “Obviously you go where you feel wanted. Coach H, Coach Warner, Zoom, they stayed on me. They just kept recruiting me, kept recruiting me through the whole process. I felt like that meant more than going to a bigger school. So I felt like coming home was the best option.”

Watson expressed confidence in the group around him, pointing to a mix of playmakers who can stretch the field and create balance.

“I feel like we’ve got a lot of explosion and a good mix of power,” Watson said. “That opens up the game for me because now you don’t have to guard one guy, you’ve got to guard both sides of the field and the run game.”

He also pointed to wide receiver Joe Griffin as a reliable option in the passing game.

“That’s my dog,” said Watson, who has been targeting Griffin with passes since middle school when the two played together for the Springfield Tigers.

Like Watson, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound Griffin transferred back home after two years at Boston College and two at Wisconsin.

“You put the ball around him, he’s going to make plays,” Watson said of Griffin.

Watson also highlighted the competitiveness within the quarterback room, specifically mentioning fellow transfer RJ Johnson III and true freshman Aedan McCarthy as players who continue to push the group forward.

“RJ pushes me the best,” Watson said. “Aedan is coming along. He’s doing great for a freshman. I think Aedan’s going to be a great quarterback in the future.”

Watson has also credited Warner for helping elevate his game early in his time with the program.

“Coach Warner is probably the perfect coach for me,” Watson said. “He never tells you when you’re doing right, only when you’re doing wrong. And I feel like that pushes you to be perfect. And if you’re reaching for perfection, the worst thing you can get out of (reaching for) perfection is greatness.”

That attention to detail has translated directly to Watson’s development on the field, particularly in his processing and decision-making.

“Your eyes and feet all work together and that should tell you where you’re going with the ball,” Watson said. “I feel like Coach Warner helped elevate my game. He’s getting me NFL-ready.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Watson believes the group has the pieces to be dangerous, pointing to players like Tyler Martin, Tim Hinspeter, Mike Robinson, Magee, Kendall Bournes and Isaiah Reed among those who have stood out.

“Everybody,” Watson said. “That D-line moving around, linebackers, they flow excellent. T-Mart, Timmy, Mike Rob, that’s going to be a dangerous three. And then you’ve got the back end, TJ, KB, Zay Reed, he’s a dog out there.”

After a decorated high school career that included multiple state championships and Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year honors, Watson’s time on the field was limited in Blacksburg. He’s grateful for another opportunity to put his talents to use on the field and has a new perspective.

“Never take time for granted,” he said. “I thought I had all the time in the world. Being a young guy there, I felt like I was going to get my opportunity. And once I got my opportunity, I knew I would seize the moment.

“Things didn’t go as planned, but that just wasn’t in my deck of cards. It wasn’t in God’s plan. So I just kind of took that chip on the shoulder and I carried it with me here.”

Still, Watson plans to use his remaining time and that chip on his shoulder to chase a singular goal.

“Team success. I want to win. I know Coach H wants to win. Coach Warner wants to win badly. That’s where we’re at right now.”

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