2026 Offensive Tackle Will McNamara Talks UMass Commitment

The Minutemen beat out offers from big time schools to secure a commitment from Will McNamara, a Canada native

The Minutemen coaches continued their hot streak after steering one of their top recruits out of enemy waters and into maroon hands. Will McNamara was close to taking his talents to the Ivy League with the University of Pennsylvania, but an impressive official visit and an open mind swung the pendulum into a UMass commitment.

The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder, received an offer from the Minutemen back on May 8. This came a couple weeks after he received an offer from UPenn on April 16. Many people McNamara knew told him that FBS schools were less caring based on the business aspect of it.

In many cases, it’s true, but according to McNamara, not UMass.

“I was told to have an open mind going into the UMass visit,” he said. “I went in and I was just blown away by everything with the coaches and the people they are. It was awesome to see their attitudes towards the players and their futures.”

The Ontario native met many of the coaches and players, but he emphasized a couple.

First came head coach Joe Harasymiak.

When McNamara went into his final conversation with Harasymiak before making his decision, Harasymiak didn’t rush him. He emphasized that he wanted what was best for the player instead of pitching the school again. Some coaches might pressure the player to decide within the next 24 hours, but Harasymiak didn’t.

McNamara appreciated that support, ultimately helping him commit less than a week later. He called Harasymiak “a great guy.”

“He is someone that I am ready to run through a wall for,” McNamara went on with regard to Harasymiak. “He understood that UPenn was an incredible opportunity for my education but he knew UMass had a much better football environment with a top-tier business school.

“I definitely feel that I made the right choice after my conversation with him.”

McNamara was incredibly expressive of his love towards the offensive line community, led by new coach Kurt Anderson. Through the mentorship of incoming freshman Gavin Wilson, McNamara learned the ins and outs of Anderson’s coaching styles and techniques.

“I was able to learn that whether you were a visual type of person, he is able to work with that in walkthroughs to help you,” McNamara said. “Coach Anderson seems like an amazing coach to be coached by.”

Brock Taylor, another young lineman, provided McNamara answers on the ongoing culture build going on in Amherst.

“Taylor was a freshman that took me everywhere,” he said. “He was able to answer every question and informed me that the team was very family-based. We met about 30 players and you noticed the bond they grow as a team. I think that is so much better than pride and ego attached. I got the sense that this group had a bond.”

McNamara’s experience at offensive tackle doesn’t span many years. Last season was his first year playing the position after being a quarterback when he first started playing football. He wasn’t aware the sport was a thing in Canada until he hit ninth grade. Currently, he is attending the Kent School where he is getting consistent high-level coaching.

“I’m being coached at Kent by an amazing coach with a lot of NFL experience that is very technical and sound,” he said. “We are a very run-heavy team and I would say my run-blocking is my favorite part of the game. My pass protection is also technically sound but as a player I have a long way to go because the players I compete against have been playing for a long time.”

As McNamara transitioned positions in high school, he noticed one key factor in becoming an offensive lineman: food.

“The food (at UMass) is just incredible, and as an offensive lineman it is very important,” McNamara said.

Overall, he was impressed with the campus landscape and almost everything the school had to offer, but he wanted to leave a legacy which fans, students and alumni would remember.

“I want people to say two things about me. He put 110 percent into everything he did, and he never took any of this for granted.”

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