Top In-State WR Kaiden Drinkwater Talks UMass Visit
Tabor Academy star receiver Kaiden Drinkwater has emerged as a major priority for the Minutemen.
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.
“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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