BREAKING | 2026 DE Cooper Long Commits To UMass

The Minutemen have landed a commitment from 2026 Connecticut defensive end Cooper Long.

Cooper Long knew what he was looking for in a college.

“A place to call home, just a place that I feel that I'm wanted and that I can fit into their program,” the 2026 Connecticut defensive end told Minuteman Command.

And, Long found exactly that in UMass, which is why he committed to the Minutemen earlier this week.

“It's close to home,” the Salisbury School standout explained.

“I visited there a couple of times. I love the atmosphere at the games and it just feels right. It just feels like home.”

The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder picked up his UMass offer at camp a week ago.

“They'd been looking at me,” he said. “They wanted to see me at camp to see how I can move and they liked what they saw.

“I definitely did well with my hips. The footwork was great and when it came to the one-on-ones, I balled out.”

Long also had an offer from Army along with several FCS programs.

In nine games as a junior in 2024, Long registered 41 tackles, three sacks and 18 tackles for a loss.

Head coach Joe Harasymiak played a major role in Long’s ultimate decision as well as his entire staff.

“Me and him know a lot of the same people and we just connected well,” Long said of himself and Harasymiak.

“I love the new coaching staff that came in. I feel like they really have a great plan that's coming in place and I believe in Coach H and what he believes in.”

Long is excited about being part of a new era of UMass Football.

“I think we're going to be building a great thing up there. I think we're going to turn the UMass program around from what it's been in the past.”

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