2026 UMass Portal Additions
A list of UMass prospects who have landed via the Portal
QUARTERBACK
POP WATSON III
(Virginia Tech)
Pop Watson III arrives at UMass after spending three seasons at Virginia Tech and brings extensive game experience along with a decorated Massachusetts high school résumé.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound quarterback from Springfield, Mass., appeared in 11 games during his time with the Hokies. He completed 36-of-63 passes for 558 yards and one touchdown and added 81 rushing yards on 54 attempts with two rushing touchdowns.
During the 2025 season, Watson completed 2-of-4 passes for 77 yards in limited action and added 22 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown. In 2024, he made two starts across five appearances, completing 34 passes for 481 yards and a touchdown. His longest completion went for 66 yards, while he rushed 40 times for 19 yards with a career-long 15-yard run and added a rushing score. Watson made his first career start against Virginia on Nov. 30, completing 14 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown. He also started the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Minnesota on Jan. 3.
As a freshman in 2023, Watson played in two games and rushed five times for 40 yards.
Before college, Watson starred at Springfield Central High School, where he was named the 2022 Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year. A three-year team captain, he represented Springfield Central in the 2022 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and led the Eagles to a 33–6 record, two Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I state championships in 2019 and 2021 and three state finals appearances.
He graduated as Springfield Central’s all-time passing leader, completing 459-of-691 passes for 7,847 yards and 81 touchdowns while adding 2,120 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns on 190 carries. Watson earned four-year All-State, All-Region and All-Conference honors and, as a senior, helped the Eagles average more than 50 points per game by throwing 17 touchdowns and rushing for 21 scores. He was also named MaxPreps Massachusetts High School Football Player of the Year as a junior.
RJ JOHNSON III
(Florida A&M, Toledo)
RJ Johnson III joins the UMass quarterback room after spending time at both Florida A&M and Toledo.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback from Atlanta, Ga., started at Florida A&M during the 2025 season, completing 221 of 331 passes for almost 2,600 yards and 18 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He also rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns.
Prior to that, he spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Toledo.
Johnson was a three-star prospect according to 247Sports coming out of Westlake High School. He earned All-State First Team honors as a senior and was named to the MaxPreps All-American team as a sophomore. Johnson was a two-time winner of Westlake High School’s Offensive Player of the Year award and a four-year letterwinner.
RUNNING BACK
JORDAN WASHINGTON
(Murray St.)
Jordan Washington transfers to UMass after spending two seasons at Murray State and brings a versatile offensive skill set.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back from Helena, Ala., played all 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2025, recording 86 carries for 340 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 22 receptions for 206 yards and a touchdown and returned five kickoffs for 74 yards.
As a true freshman in 2024, Washington appeared in four games and rushed 22 times for 68 yards, scoring his first collegiate touchdown at North Dakota. He started the season opener at Missouri, becoming the first true freshman to start at running back for the Racers since 2017.
Washington was rated a three-star prospect by both 247Sports and On3 out of Helena High School. He was named Shelby County Player of the Year in 2023 after rushing for 1,810 yards and 24 touchdowns and also earned First-Team All-State honors.
JUSTIN WILLIAMS-THOMAS
(Marshall, Cal & Tennessee)
Justin Williams-Thomas joins UMass following a multi-stop collegiate career that included time at Marshall, California and Tennessee, bringing depth and experience to the running back room.
The 6-foot, 210-pound running back from Dallas, Ga., spent the 2025 season at Marshall, where he appeared in nine games and rushed 35 times for 197 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry with two rushing touchdowns. He also added three receptions for 41 yards and a receiving score.
Williams-Thomas previously played three games at California in 2024, six games at California in 2023 and three games at Tennessee in 2022. Across his time at Cal and Tennessee, he totaled 128 rushing yards on 32 carries.
Coming out of East Paulding High School, Williams-Thomas was a consensus four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 22 running back nationally in the Class of 2022. He rushed for 3,264 yards and 30 touchdowns over his final two prep seasons.
As a senior in 2021, Williams-Thomas earned Paulding County Player of the Year honors and served as a team captain after rushing for 1,896 yards and 14 touchdowns while totaling 2,116 all-purpose yards. As a junior in 2020, he ran for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns and was named an All-State selection and Region 5-6A Offensive Player of the Year. He also competed in track and field, basketball and lacrosse during his high school career.
WIDE RECEIVER
JOE GRIFFIN JR.
(Wisconsin, BC)
Joe Griffin Jr. joins UMass after stops at Wisconsin and Boston College, returning to Massachusetts with Power Five experience and proven college production.
The 6-foot-2, 208-pound wide receiver from Springfield, Mass., spent the previous two seasons at Wisconsin after beginning his career at Boston College. As a redshirt senior in 2025, Griffin appeared in four games for the Badgers and recorded one catch for five yards against Middle Tennessee. He did not see game action during the 2024 season.
At Boston College, Griffin was a consistent contributor over two seasons. In 2023, he played in all 12 games and totaled 25 receptions for 345 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a five-catch, 76-yard performance against Louisville. As a freshman in 2022, he started five games and appeared in eight, finishing with 18 receptions for 234 yards and five touchdowns. He scored his first career touchdown on a four-yard catch at Florida State, posted a season-high 103 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions against Duke and caught the game-winning two-yard touchdown in the final minute at North Carolina State.
Griffin starred at Springfield Central High School, where he was a four-star recruit and the consensus top wide receiver in Massachusetts. He helped lead Springfield Central to a Division I Super Bowl state championship and finished his senior season with 49 receptions for 896 yards and 11 touchdowns. Griffin closed his high school career with 102 catches for 1,913 yards and 22 touchdowns and played alongside fellow Minuteman Pop Watson III.
DEVIN MATTHEWS
(East Texas A&M)
Devin Matthews transfers to UMass after three seasons at East Texas A&M and brings both receiving and return production.
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound receiver from Seguin, Texas, played in 11 games during the 2025 season and totaled 36 receptions for 649 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 59 yards per game. He also rushed twice for 26 yards and returned two kickoffs for 20 yards.
In 2024, Matthews appeared in nine games primarily on special teams, finishing with one reception, 22 kickoff returns for 525 yards and nine punt returns for 110 yards. As a freshman in 2023, he played in four games, catching two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown while adding one rushing attempt.
At Seguin High School, Matthews was named District 12-5A MVP and earned a spot on the Padilla Poll Coaches Class 5A Division I All-State Team. He totaled 2,125 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns, rushed for 339 yards and two touchdowns and scored 33 touchdowns during his high school career. He also accumulated 968 return yards and competed in basketball and track and field.
OFFENSIVE LINE
AITOR URIONABARRENECHEA
(Colorado St.)
Aitor Urionabarrenechea joins UMass after spending three seasons at Colorado State.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman from Lancaster, Calif., saw action in 25 career games with the Rams. He competed in all 12 games during the 2025 season on the offensive line and appeared in 13 games during the 2024 season, primarily on special teams.
Urionabarrenechea attended Chaminade College Prep and was rated a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and ESPN.
GREG KNOX
(McNeese St.)
Greg Knox transfers to UMass after four seasons at McNeese State, bringing extensive experience on the offensive line.
The 6-foot-6, 303-pound lineman from Pineville, La., appeared in 25 career games and played all 12 games during the 2025 season. In 2024, he started nine of 11 games and logged 559 total snaps while allowing zero sacks. Knox played in two games as a true freshman in 2023 before taking a redshirt year.
He attended Peabody High School in Louisiana and was named a First Team Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State selection. Knox was a three-time First Team 3-4A All-District honoree and earned First Team All-CENLA honors. He was selected for the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl and ranked as the fifth-best offensive line prospect in Louisiana by the Dandy Don website. Knox allowed only four sacks during his high school career and anchored an offensive line that produced a 2,100-yard, 23-touchdown rusher.
GREG KLINGENSMITH
(William & Mary)
Greg Klingensmith arrives at UMass after four seasons at William & Mary.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman from Apollo, Pa., earned a spot on the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll three times from 2022 through 2024. He played 11 games in 2025 and started all six games he appeared in during the 2024 season. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Klingensmith played all 11 games and made one start at right tackle in a win over Charleston Southern. He appeared in two games as a freshman in 2022.
Before college, he was a four-year letterwinner as both an offensive and defensive lineman at Apollo-Ridge High School. Klingensmith earned two all-conference first-team selections as an offensive lineman and was named conference offensive lineman of the year in 2020. As a senior, he was named conference defensive lineman of the year, posting five sacks, six tackles for loss and 33 tackles. He also lettered in track and field as a thrower, set a school record in discus and served as student council president.
DEFENSIVE LINE
KAMARION THOMAS
(North Carolina)
Kamarion Thomas transfers to UMass after spending one season at North Carolina.
The 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman from Saint Albans, N.Y., did not compete during his season with the Tar Heels. He attended Erasmus Hall High School and was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports, On3 and Rivals.
During his senior season, Thomas finished with more than 40 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. He earned First Team All-City honors and All-League recognition as a versatile defensive lineman and linebacker.
AUBREY MELVIN
(UConn)
Aubrey Melvin transfers to UMass after spending his freshman season at Connecticut and brings size and upside to the Minutemen defensive front.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman from Brandywine, Md., did not appear in a game during the 2025 season with the Huskies. He played high school football at Gwynn Park High School, where he was a dominant interior presence.
As a senior, Melvin recorded 60 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks, adding two fumble recoveries. He earned County Defensive Player of the Year honors and was recognized as one of the top defensive linemen in the region based on his production and physical profile.
ZAKAR MORRIS
(Albany)
Zakar Morris arrives at UMass after competing two seasons at Albany.
The 6-foot-2, 286-pound defensive lineman from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., played in 12 games during the 2025 season and totaled 40 tackles, including 12 solo and 28 assisted stops. He added 3.5 tackles for loss for 15 yards, recorded a pass breakup, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble while averaging 3.3 tackles per game.
Morris posted a career-high 12 tackles against Delaware State on Sept. 19, 2025, and recorded a career-best 1.5 tackles for loss for nine yards while forcing a fumble at William & Mary on Nov. 1, 2025. He did not play during the 2024 season.
Before college, Morris attended Iona Prep, where he served as a team captain, led his team in sacks and tackles for loss and earned First Team All-League and First Team All-County honors in the CHSFL. He also received the MVP Trophy for Excellence in Football.
ZACHARY BETTS
(Saint Francis Pa.)
Zachary Betts transfers to UMass after two seasons at Saint Francis.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound defensive lineman from Bowie, Md., totaled 63 tackles across two seasons, including 38 solo and 25 assisted stops. He added 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, seven quarterback hurries and a blocked kick.
During the 2025 season, Betts recorded 49 tackles with 32 solo stops, nine tackles for loss and six sacks. He also forced a fumble, added five quarterback hurries, recorded a pass breakup and blocked a kick. He posted a career-high nine tackles against Buffalo on Sept. 6, 2025, and recorded career-best 1.5 tackles for loss against ULM on Aug. 28, 2025, and LIU on Nov. 15, 2025.
As a freshman in 2024, Betts recorded 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries. He made his collegiate debut against Central Connecticut State on Sept. 14, 2024, and recorded his first career sack against Delaware State on Oct. 5, 2024. He attended Bishop McNamara High School.
WILLIAM DePAEPE
(Indiana)
William DePaepe joins UMass after two seasons at Indiana.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive lineman from Bettendorf, Iowa, appeared in one game during the 2025 season and recorded two tackles and a sack for a six-yard loss. He recorded his first career tackle and a tackle for loss in his collegiate debut against Indiana State. He did not see action during the 2024 season.
DePaepe attended Moline High School and was a consensus three-star prospect according to ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and On3. He was rated the No. 159 defensive end prospect nationally by ESPN and ranked among the top recruits in Illinois by all four major services. As a senior, he earned Second Team All-Western Big 6 Conference honors and totaled 39 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. Younger brother of Andrew DePaepe.
ANDREW DePAEPE
(Indiana, Michigan St.)
Andrew DePaepe transfers to UMass after stints at Indiana and Michigan State.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive lineman from Bettendorf, Iowa, made four appearances during the 2025 season and recorded two assisted tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss against UCLA. He also appeared in the season opener against Indiana State. He did not see action in 2024 due to injury.
DePaepe spent his freshman season at Michigan State and made his collegiate debut against Washington. He attended Pleasant Valley High School and was a consensus four-star prospect according to ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and On3. He was ranked among the top edge rushers nationally and among the top recruits in Iowa. He also lettered in basketball.
JUSTIN KRUEGER
(William & Mary)
Justin Krueger joins UMass after two seasons at William & Mary.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman from Marietta, Ga., played all 12 games during the 2025 season and totaled 52 tackles, including 20 solo and 32 assisted stops. He added eight tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles and earned Third Team All-CAA honors.
As a true freshman in 2024, Krueger appeared in four games and recorded five tackles. He attended Walton High School, where he was a three-year letterwinner and earned First Team All-Region honors on both offense and defense. As a senior, he totaled 55 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks and helped lead his team to a state runner-up finish.
LINEBACKER
JOSHUA ISEAH
(North Carolina A&T)
Joshua Iseah transfers to UMass after three seasons at North Carolina A&T.
The 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker from Charlotte, N.C., played in 35 career games. As a junior in 2025, he appeared in all 12 games and totaled 83 tackles, including 40 solo and 43 assisted stops. He added five tackles for loss, two interceptions and four pass breakups and was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week after recording 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception against Tennessee State.
In 2024, Iseah played all 12 games and recorded 31 tackles and a fumble recovery. As a freshman in 2023, he made 59 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and forced and recovered a fumble, earning Sports Illustrated Freshman All-American honors.
He played high school football at Independence High School and finished his career with 264 tackles, 18.5 sacks, three interceptions and eight pass defenses. As a senior, he earned third-team All-State and All-Conference honors and was selected to the Queen City Senior Bowl.
KHARI BENDOLPH
(Jacksonville St.)
Khari Bendolph transfers to UMass after one season at Jacksonville State.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., appeared in all 13 games as a freshman and recorded 16 tackles. He posted a career-high five tackles against Kennesaw State on Nov. 15.
Bendolph attended Naples High School, where he was a two-time All-Area and All-County selection and a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year twice. He recorded 179 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in two varsity seasons and helped lead his team to state semifinal appearances in both 2023 and 2024.
MICHAEL ROBINSON
(Rutgers)
Michael Robinson joins UMass after spending five seasons at Rutgers.
The 5-foot-11, 194-pound STAR linebacker from Montclair, N.J., earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2024 and 2025. He played all 12 games in 2025, primarily on special teams, and recorded three tackles in kick coverage. He appeared in eight games in 2024 and recorded six tackles and also played eight games in 2022, making four tackles.
Before college, Robinson played wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back at Montclair High School. As a senior, he passed for 466 yards and six touchdowns, rushed for 658 yards and eight touchdowns and added five receptions for 68 yards.
KENDRIC COUNCIL
(St. Francis)
Kendric Council arrives at UMass after spending the previous two seasons at St. Francis University and brings proven production and experience at the linebacker position.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker from Upper Marlboro, Md., appeared in 10 games during the 2025 season and recorded 53 tackles, including 30 solo stops. Council added 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks while also contributing three quarterback hurries and four pass breakups.
Council opened the season with five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss at ULM and posted a season-high seven tackles with a tackle for loss at Buffalo. He recorded eight tackles and a tackle for loss against Delaware State, added a sack and six tackles at Bucknell, tallied eight tackles versus Robert Morris and finished with seven tackles and a half sack against Wagner.
He was graded as one of the highest-rated linebackers in the NEC by PFSN College.
Before college, Council attended Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Maryland, where he earned Second Team All-State honors as a junior. That season, he recorded 83 tackles, including 59 solo stops, added 18 tackles for loss and a sack, and was named a Prince George’s County 4A First Team selection. He also earned Washington Post All-Met honorable mention recognition.
CORNERBACK
CHRIS STANLEY
(Garden City CC)
Chris Stanley transfers to UMass after competing at Garden City Community College.
The 6-foot-0, 180-pound cornerback from Akron, Ohio, accumulated 14 tackles during the 2025 season, including 13 solo stops, averaged 2.0 tackles per game in seven games and recorded one interception with an 11-yard return along with four pass breakups. He also returned one kickoff.
Stanley also played his freshman season at Feather River College, where he totaled 19 tackles, an interception, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He attended Desert Edge High School.
SAFETY
JAHMAD HARMON
(Ball St., Kent St.)
Jahmad Harmon transfers to UMass after three seasons at Ball State and one season at Kent State.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back from Indianapolis, Ind., played seven games and made two starts as a redshirt freshman in 2023, recording a career-high three tackles against Eastern Michigan. He sustained a preseason injury in 2024 and did not play.
Harmon attended Lawrence Central High School, where he earned all-state, first-team all-conference and first-team all-county honors and totaled 56 tackles, nine passes defended and three interceptions as a senior.
DEFENSIVE BACK
ISAIAH REED
(UCF, Brown)
Isaiah Reed transfers to UMass after time at both Brown University and UCF, bringing extensive collegiate experience and a decorated FCS résumé to the Minutemen secondary.
The 6-foot-0, 180-pound defensive back from Tampa, Fla., spent the 2025 season at UCF, where he appeared in four games and recorded one solo tackle against Houston. Prior to his stop with the Knights, Reed played four seasons at Brown and established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the Ivy League and at the FCS level.
As a senior at Brown, Reed was limited to four games due to injury but still totaled 16 tackles, including 13 solo stops, added five pass breakups and recorded an interception. He served as a team captain and was recognized nationally, earning spots on the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List, Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List and the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000, highlighting the top NFL prospects across college football. Reed was also named a Stats Perform FCS Second Team Preseason All-American, FCS Football Central Second Team Preseason All-American and Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American, along with Preseason Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and Preseason First Team All-Ivy honors.
During his junior season, Reed competed in 10 games and finished tied for second nationally across all of FCS football with 0.5 interceptions per game. He led the Ivy League with five interceptions and averaged 1.3 passes defended per game, a mark that ranked eighth nationally. Reed totaled 50 tackles on the season, including 32 solo stops, added eight pass breakups and was named to the New England Football Writers All-New England Team while earning First Team All-Ivy honors.
As a sophomore in 2022, Reed made 10 appearances and led Brown with 53 total tackles, including 40 solo, while ranking among the Ivy League leaders with nine passes defended. He added eight pass breakups and three tackles for loss and earned Honorable Mention All-Ivy recognition. Reed appeared in all 10 games as a freshman, recording 29 tackles, including 24 solo, four tackles for loss and a team-high six pass breakups.
Before college, Reed attended Seffner Christian Academy, where he earned Most Outstanding Player honors in 2021. He also played basketball and was a member of the National Honor Society.
LONG SNAPPER
GRANT MILLS
(Ohio St., N. Carolina)
Grant Mills joins UMass after time at Ohio State and North Carolina.
The 5-foot-10, 223-pound long snapper from Mooresville, N.C., did not appear in games during the 2024 or 2025 seasons. Prior to college, he was a four-year letterwinner at The Cannon School, appearing in 38 games.
Mills was ranked as a five-star snapper and earned 2024 Adidas All-American honors. He was also named Man of the Year finalist, the No. 1 snapper in North Carolina and South Charlotte Sports Report Specialist of the Year. He helped lead his team to a 2021 NCISAA state championship and two conference titles and was also a member of the National Art Honor Society and Honor Council.