Big-Time Portal Add Justin Krueger Talks UMass

Former William & Mary DE Justin Krueger explains why he chose UMass over some bigger opportunities.

For Justin Krueger, the transfer portal process came with options, but his decision ultimately centered on fit, opportunity and belief.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman from Marietta, Ga., announced his decision to transfer to UMass earlier this month after spending the past two seasons at William & Mary, where he emerged as a productive defender and earned Third Team All-CAA honors in 2025.

UMass stood out because of the opportunity in front of him and the direction he believes the program is heading under head coach Joe Harasymiak.

“I felt like it was a program that could develop me on and off the field,” Krueger said. “UMass is one of the schools that was going to give me an opportunity to come in, compete right away and help elevate the program. I believe in what Coach H is building and I wanted to be a part of that.”

That belief was shaped during a visit to Amherst, which gave Krueger extended time with Harasymiak and the rest of the staff.

“Just sitting down with them on my visit, it was hours and hours of meetings with all the coaches,” he said. “They walked me through what it looks like and talked to me about where the issues were culturally last year.

“Some guys moved on for the better, and now they’re bringing in a new set of guys to change the culture around.”

Those conversations, along with visible investments in the program and the addition of other portal targets, increased his confidence in the direction UMass is heading.

“I feel like they’re investing in the team a lot, especially recently with nutrition and all that stuff,” he said. “I see the program changing for the positive, and I see the guys they’re bringing in. That got me really excited.”

Despite a winless 2025 season, Harasymiak’s first at UMass, the staff did not shy away from that reality. That transparency resonated.

“He sat me down and talked me through it,” Krueger said. “He told me, ‘This is just as much a risk for me as it is for you.’ He can’t afford another season where they’re not winning, so he’s putting his faith in the players he’s recruiting right now. That meant a lot to me, him believing in us like that.”

Krueger also pointed to his early impressions of defensive line coach Nyeem Wartman and the defensive structure as major factors.

“Talking through scheme and stuff like that, he’s super knowledgeable,” Krueger said. “He knows high-level ball, and I feel like he’s going to put me in a position to be successful in a scheme that matches my style of play.”

That scheme should allow Krueger to impact the defensive front in multiple ways.

“I’m a high-effort, versatile player,” he said. “I can play on the outside and kick inside when it comes to pass rush. Put me in the best situation to go one-on-one and win that matchup. On third down, I feel like I can play wherever.”

Effort remains central to how he evaluates his own game.

“I’m going to give 100 percent effort on every play,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in that. I’m running to the ball every play, and I think that shows on film.”

The portal experience itself was hectic, but he remained focused on finding the right opportunity rather than chasing the biggest name.

“It was nuts,” he said. “I had a lot of opportunities. Some big schools reached out. An SEC school came in and offered a scholarship, but they wanted me to come in and maybe not make an impact right away. I wanted to prove myself now.

“Talking to the strength coaches at UMass, they’re very scientific in their approach and showed me some of the transformations. I’m excited to get into that program. And the nutrition side mattered too. The dining and overall setup were selling points for me.”

Krueger plans to arrive in Amherst this week to begin the next chapter of his career.

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