UMass Preseason Preview | Quarterback
There will be no quarterback competition during preseason camp this year.
If UMass is going to take a significant step forward in 2026, it will almost certainly begin - and possibly end - with Pop Watson.
That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anybody who heard head coach Joe Harasymiak talk about his new signal-caller.
After transferring from Virginia Tech, Watson entered the spring as the expected starter and did nothing over 15 practices to change that perception. If anything, he only strengthened it. While there was outside speculation about whether another quarterback could eventually challenge him, there was never much indication inside the program that Watson was in anything but firm control of the job.
The former Springfield Central High School star looked every bit like a frontline guy despite a change of schools, systems and coaches. Watson and first-year offensive coordinator Max Warner appear to click with Watson looking comfortable, decisive and physically stronger than his younger days.
As much as anything, he consistently showed why the coaching staff has placed so much confidence in him.
Consistency has never been an issue for Watson as a passer, even going back to his youth days, but his athleticism remains a sneaky aspect of his game.
Warner isn’t going to call many designed runs for the redshirt junior, but Watson consistently displayed the ability to extend plays throughout the spring and punished defenses whenever protection broke down. His ability to create with his legs should make Warner’s offense difficult to defend.
More importantly, Watson looked like the unquestioned leader of the offense.
The success of UMass’ season feels directly tied to his development. If Watson proves to be the player so many are convinced he is, the Minutemen believe they’ll have a chance to be competitive every week.
Behind Watson, however, the competition has changed considerably since spring practice.
RJ Johnson, who spent the spring backing up Watson, has since transferred, although UMass has bolstered the room with the addition of Ty McCutcheon.
The junior college transfer arrives after beginning his career at Utah Tech before spending last season at Southwestern College in San Diego. Although he played in a limited role during high school while backing up future Polynesian Bowl quarterback John Keawe-Sagapolutele, McCutcheon has continued to develop since then and has quickly impressed people inside the program.
McCutcheon profiles as more of a traditional pocket passer. He’s comfortable operating from inside the pocket, getting the ball out on time and letting the offense work around him.
Fellow transfer Logan Inagawa brings a different dimension as perhaps the most mobile quarterback on the roster and one capable of extending plays and creating with his legs. He rushed for nine touchdowns as a backup during his lone season at Drake.
The contrast gives Warner different options behind Watson depending on the situation.
The long-term excitement inside the building, though, still centers around true freshman Aedan McCarthy.
Nobody expects the Bluffton, S.C., native to push for meaningful playing time this season, but that has little to do with his talent.
At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, McCarthy possesses the size, arm strength and athleticism that made him one of the more intriguing quarterback signees in recent memory. Program sources continue to rave about his ceiling, believing he has the physical tools to eventually develop into a high-level starter.
Like most true freshman quarterbacks, however, the game still needs to slow down, which will come with more reps. He needs experience. He needs live bullets. Fortunately for both McCarthy and UMass, there’s no urgency to rush anything.
With Watson firmly entrenched as the starter and multiple experienced quarterbacks behind him, the coaching staff can afford to let McCarthy develop at the proper pace.
Overall, this quarterback room feels dramatically different than it did a year ago.
There will be no quarterback competition during preseason camp. UMass is putting all its chips in behind Watson and while the future looks bright at the position, the focus is fully on 2026.
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