UMass Adds JUCO CB Chris Stanley From Portal

Chris Stanley talks about his decision to choose the Minutemen.

Chris Stanley knew what he was looking for when he arrived in Amherst last week. By the time the JUCO cornerback left, his decision quickly came into focus.

The former Garden City Community College standout announced his commitment to UMass following his visit, locking in his next stop after what he described as a clear plan, strong relationships and a genuine feel from the coaching staff.

“They had a really good plan for me,” Stanley told Minuteman Command on Monday afternoon.

“It seemed like the right fit, honestly. The coaching staff was great with the hospitality and they just had a great plan for me.”

That plan centers on opportunity and production. Stanley said head coach Joe Harasymiak and his staff laid out a vision that was direct and realistic, one focused on immediate impact in the MAC.

“Just to have me come in and produce,” Stanley said of the plan. “They showed me stuff on what could potentially happen if I come in and do what I’m supposed to do. All-MAC type stuff. Just come in and really produce.”

The coaching staff played a significant role in solidifying that belief. Stanley’s conversations with Harasymiak, cornerbacks coach Donald Celiscar and defensive coordinator Jared Keyte reinforced what he sensed early in the visit.

“The coaches were great,” Stanley said. “They’re definitely trying to change the program around. I could see that. They seemed real genuine.”

Stanley also had a chance to connect with members of the current roster, including safety DD Snyder, who helped answer questions about daily life in the program. Stanley noted that familiarity wasn’t entirely new territory, as a couple of his former teammates at Desert Edge High School - receiver Kez Dia-Johnson and defensive end Jerry Washington - are on the roster.

“I honestly already had my questions answered,” he said. “All the ones I needed to know.”

Beyond football, Stanley said the campus and facilities exceeded his expectations. From the football complex to the training and medical staff, the visit checked boxes he didn’t necessarily anticipate going in.

“The campus was great,” he said. “Definitely more than I expected. The facilities were great. The whole team was great, from the coaching staff to the weight room and training room. I got to meet with the team doctors, everything. It was great.”

With his recruitment now settled, Stanley said the sense of relief was immediate. The commitment allows him to shift his focus fully to preparing for what comes next.

“That takes a lot of stress away, for real. A lot of schools were contacting me, but now that it’s over, it’s time to get to the next step and start to work.”

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