AMHERST — The UMass football team held its first full practice of fall camp at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Monday morning.
Coming off a 0-12 season, there is reason for optimism in this year’s team. The Minutemen squeezed in their practice before the rain. For now, the plan is to avoid any contact until scrimmages.
“It’s good to have everybody back,” UMass coach Joe Harasymiak said. “Exciting time of year obviously. Getting ready to go. Escaped the weather a little bit there so it was good. Good first day…we are in a good spot coming out of day one. Now it’s about the progression and stacking days. Making sure we don’t take too many steps back.
The main reason for the optimism is the arrival of Springfield Central graduate and Virginia Tech transfer William Watson III.
“Pop’s (Watson) had a really good progression,” Harasymiak said. “I think his arm has gotten actually stronger. I think it’s gotten more accurate. I’ve always thought he does a really good job in the pocket feeling the rush. When he’s able to create a second play. As a defensive guy, creating second plays are huge. When the breakdown happens, it’s going to happen and the best quarterbacks can create that second play.”
While his physical skills are always apparent, Watson has a leadership role on the team.
“Everyone gravitates toward him,” Harasymiak said. “I’ve talked about that since he’s been here. I think now he’s settling into that role and he’s starting to get with that one group and he’s starting to take off.”
New offensive coordinator Max Warner and Watson’s relationship is continuing to grow early in the preseason, according to Harasymiak. Warner was an offensive assistant at Toledo last season. The team is eager to see Watson perform in game conditions.
“I am really excited to about him getting out there in a game atmosphere,” Harasymiak said. “There’s something different in his eye when it’s a scrimmage day or it is a spring game. That’s what you want. You don’t want the other look that sometimes we get. But I am really excited about it.”
Wideout T.Y. Harding returns from missing almost all of last season for the Minutemen. Add another former Springfield Central graduate in Joe Griffin Jr. and UMass hopes to have some effective weaponry at Watson’s disposal.
“We missed T.Y. (Harding) all last year,” Harasymiak said. “We’ve talked about that. T.Y has been hurt since I’ve been here. I haven’t really seen T.Y. play besides two quarters. So him, Joe Griff (Griffin)…if you know what they are supposed to look like, they are supposed to look like Joe Griff. Now he has to take this role and take this step. Do what he’s got to do every day to become the player he wants to be.”
Griffin finished his high school career at Central with 1,913 yards receiving with 22 touchdowns. Griffin began his college career at Boston College before transferring to Wisconsin. He is Central’s all-time leader in receiving yards. Max Dowling also looked good at tight end in UMass’ spring game.
Harasymiak’s forte is defense, and there is a certain style in which he hopes the team can play with this season.
“I think we need to be more violent,” Harasymiak said. “Coming off of last year obviously statistically wasn’t very good in anything. I think it starts with violence up front…our front seven, the middle of our defense needs to be out strength.”
The defensive line has a number of new players. Joshua Nobles returns from an Achilles injury. In his last full season at Jackson State, Nobles registered nine sacks with two forced fumbles for the Tigers.
“He looks great,” Harasymiak said of Nobles. “He looks fantastic. Today he was on the side doing stuff and getting back into it. I am proud of his mental make-up.”
UMass also got a package deal of two brothers from Indiana in William DePaepe and Andrew DePaepe. Both players play on the edge of the defensive line.
“They are what you want,” Harasymiak said. “They are a little tapped in a very, very good way. In a football way. They play extremely hard. I love coaching them. Those two guys play the game the right way.”
UMass opens its season on the road against Rutgers on Sept. 3.
