UMass OL Transfer Signee Greg Knox Talks Decision

Former McNeese offensive lineman Greg Knox explains why he's heading to Amherst.

UMass continued to reshape its offensive line on Monday with the signing of former McNeese offensive lineman Greg Knox out of the transfer portal, a move that adds experience and depth to a unit looking to stabilize after a difficult season.

Knox finalized his decision earlier in the day and said UMass’ early and consistent pursuit played a significant role in his choice.

“I just signed my papers not too long ago,” Knox told Minuteman Command. “UMass had a lot of opportunities for me. They were one of the first ones to reach out and they stayed on me ever since I got in the portal.”

The decision followed a brief, but busy, portal process. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Knox said Western Kentucky, South Alabama and Coastal Carolina all made pushes in recent days, but UMass separated itself.

“I just felt it in my soul that I needed to finish this thing and roll with UMass,” he said.

Knox will enter the UMass program after graduating from McNeese in December, a milestone that factored into his decision to explore a new opportunity.

“I didn’t come from bad coaching,” Knox said. “McNeese is a great place and I enjoyed my time there. I just felt like I needed to get away and go explore.”

That exploration included a recent visit to Amherst, his first time in the Northeast since a middle school trip to New York City.

“The visit was cool,” Knox said. “Great people in Amherst. I toured the campus, the meeting rooms, the rec center. I talked with academic advisors and got to see everything. The scenery, the snow, all that was pretty cool to me.”

Knox also pointed to his connection with new UMass offensive line coach Brian White as a key factor in his decision.

“It was really motivating,” Knox said. “He told me I’ve got the tools and everything I need, he just wants to sharpen those tools. Knowing I’ll have somebody who’s going to take their time with me and really coach me up meant a lot.”

On the field, Knox brings a track record of durability and experience. He said he logged roughly 1,500 snaps over the last two seasons at McNeese, a workload White believes can translate quickly.

“Coming from McNeese and playing the amount of snaps I played, he felt like that could be a major contribution to the O-line room,” Knox said.

Knox is also familiar with the situation in Amherst after speaking with former teammates Jovoni Bourbon and Marques White, who helped frame the program’s direction under head coach Joe Harasymiak.

“They told me the same thing the coaches told me,” Knox said. “It’s about changing the culture. They’re trying to bring in players that want to win and want to build something.”

One recent commitment helped reinforce that message. Knox said the addition of quarterback Pop Watson influenced his final decision.

“They talked about trying to get Pop Watson while I was on the visit,” Knox said. “I read up on him and I feel like he’s a great player. Playing in front of a quarterback you trust matters. He’s going to do his job and I’m going to do mine.”

Knox plans to arrive in Amherst for good later this month, with a target date around Jan. 22nd.

“I’ll be up there soon,” he said.

For UMass, Knox represents another step toward rebuilding the roster with experienced pieces who align with the program’s emphasis on accountability and competition.

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