UMass Preseason Preview | Running Back
We expect some new faces - and some old ones - to carry the load in the backfield in 2026.
UMass may not have a true bellcow entering preseason camp, but the Minutemen appear to have found the identity they want in the backfield.
With transfer running back Jordan Washington expected to miss the start of the season, expect UMass to lean heavily on the physical running styles of Justin Williams-Thomas and Curtis Kimmons IV while waiting for one of its most intriguing additions to return.
Washington generated plenty of internal excitement after transferring from Murray State.
Unfortunately, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound redshirt sophomore spent the spring recovering from an injury and isn’t expected to be available when the season opens.
That hasn’t changed how the staff feels about his long-term outlook.
Washington rushed for 340 yards and three touchdowns while adding 22 catches for 206 yards and another score as a redshirt freshman for Murray State last season and projects as a player capable of making a significant impact. His combination of size, physicality and pass-catching ability gives UMass something it could have used more of a year ago.
Washington’s absence won’t crush the belief inside the program at the position, though, especially with Williams-Thomas appearing ready to shoulder much of the workload.
The redshirt senior transfer took full advantage of Washington’s absence throughout the spring, consistently showing the downhill running style the coaching staff wants from the position. After stops at Tennessee, Cal and Marshall, Williams-Thomas brings experience few players on the roster can match.
The 6-foot, 210-pounder rushed for 197 yards while averaging 5.6 yards per carry at Marshall last season, but his biggest contribution may simply be his steadiness. Throughout the spring, he looked capable of handling lead-back responsibilities while providing the kind of physical presence UMass leaned on from Rocko Griffin a year ago.
The player generating the most recent buzz entering preseason camp, however, might be Kimmons.
The Southeastern University transfer wasn’t on campus for spring practice, but has quickly impressed coaches and teammates since arriving in June. People inside the program have pointed to his physicality and strength, believing the 5-foot-10, 225-pound junior has a legitimate opportunity to carve out a major role immediately.
Kimmons rushed for 892 yards and 15 touchdowns last season while earning Second-Team All-Sun Conference honors at the NAIA level. The jump in competition is significant, but UMass believes his running style should translate.
If Kimmons carries his momentum from the summer into preseason camp, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him become an important part of the rotation immediately.
Elijah Faulkner gives the room a different dimension.
While Williams-Thomas and Kimmons profile as physical, between-the-tackles runners, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound sophomore offers more explosiveness and the ability to create on the perimeter. Faulkner also provides another receiving option out of the backfield after appearing in all 12 games as a true freshman last season.
The combination of all the skills in the room gives first-year offensive coordinator Max Warner some options depending on situation and opponent.
Overall, this room feels deeper than it did a year ago, at least when Washington returns.
His injury clouds the early outlook, but has created an opportunity for Williams-Thomas and Kimmons to establish themselves. If those two can provide the physical foundation UMass expects while Faulkner continues to develop into a change-of-pace threat, running back could be one of UMass’ deeper offensive position groups by the middle of the season.
The Minutemen are going to need it too as a consistent ground game will be crucial if they want to control the clock and win games in the fourth quarter.
Your one-stop-shop for all your sports marketing needs… Owned and Operated by UMASS Grads.
We specialize in providing top-quality marketing & printing services for coaches, athletic directors, and sports marketing professionals.
Get Fan Ready!