BREAKING | QB Pop Watson Commits To UMass

Former Western Mass. high school star and Virginia Tech QB Pop Watson is headed to Amherst.

Former Springfield Central High School quarterback Pop Watson is headed to UMass as a transfer portal.

Watson provides the Minutemen with boosts on multiple levels; a huge addition at a position of need, momentum in the portal process and the potential of a local star helping turnaround the image of the program.

He has two years of college eligibility remaining.

Watson’s return to Western Mass. carries added major significance.

Prior to spending three years at Virginia Tech, Watson was one of the most accomplished players to come out of Central in recent memory. A three-year captain for the Golden Eagles, Watson helped lead Central to two state championships, earned Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year honors and graduated as the program’s all-time passing leader.

He also represented Springfield Central in the U.S. Army All American Bowl, cementing his status as one of the top high school players the region has produced.

That local pedigree is expected to resonate in Western Mass., where Springfield Central remains a perennial high school power and a source of top regional recruits. Watson’s presence on the UMass roster could strengthen ties between the program, where his father is head coach, and the Springfield area, potentially opening doors for future recruiting connections to the nearby talent pipeline.

Watson originally committed to Nebraska out of high school before flipping to Virginia Tech following a coaching change.

He redshirted as a true freshman in 2023 and saw limited action early in his career before making his mark during the 2024 season.

Watson started two games for the Hokies that year, including a rivalry win over Virginia that helped secure bowl eligibility, before making his final start in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl loss to Minnesota. In 2025, he served primarily as a backup, appearing in two games and completing 2 of 4 passes for 77 yards while adding 22 rushing yards and a touchdown.

His arrival in Amherst comes at a critical time for UMass.

All three quarterbacks who started games for the Minutemen last season - Brandon Rose, Grant Jordan and AJ Hairston - are now in the transfer portal, leaving the position in need of immediate reinforcement. Watson provides both experience and competition as the program reshapes its quarterback room.

The timing also aligns with a shift on the coaching side. UMass recently moved quickly to hire Max Warner as offensive coordinator, a decision viewed internally as important given the ongoing roster turnover and the need to present stability and clarity to potential transfers, particularly quarterbacks.

Watson’s decision gives UMass a proven local name with Power Four experience at a moment when the program is rebuilding key areas of its offense and trying to re-establish momentum in the transfer portal.

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