It’s no secret the UMass football team’s offense struggled mightily throughout the winless, 2025 campaign.
The Minutemen scored the least amount of points among all 136 FBS programs last season (133 points), while rotating through quarterbacks, receivers and running backs week-by-week in what felt like a never-ending merry-go-round.
UMass addressed those shortcomings for the 2026 season by replacing former offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian with Max Warner in February and most notably, snagging Springfield product William “Pop” Watson III from the transfer portal to anchor the offense under center.
Watson saw limited action in three seasons at Virginia Tech (11 games, 558 total passing yards), however the 6-foot, 210-pounder has already taken on a much greater role with the Minutemen as their fall camp progresses.
“I try to come in and set the bar for the room and for the offense and for the program as well,” Watson said. “Just coming in everyday and trying to be 1% better and giving it my all every rep.”
Watson had a terrific high school career at Springfield Central, racking up accolades such as two MIAA Division I state championships (2019, 2021), plus the Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year award (2022). With that, UMass is counting on Watson to be that player at the college level that previously dominated local gridirons in Western Mass.
“I think [Watson’s] mentality and demeanor and the way he prepares feeds through the offense,” Warner said. “Guys feel that, feel that energy. From a football playing standpoint, obviously his mobility is really crucial to his game, being able to move around and create, but still being disciplined and playing quarterback.
“That’s what we’re focused on in training camp, he’s a quarterback first,” Warner continued. “The way he’s throwing the ball right now, I bet you he’d say it’s the best he’s thrown it in his life.”
Watson’s expected receiving corps offers intrigue as returners like T.Y. Harding and tight end Max Dowling should be consistent targets, while newcomer Joseph Griffin Jr. boasts breakout potential as the transfer from Wisconsin starred at Springfield Central with Watson in high school.
“We watch a lot of film with the wide receivers and just getting a feel of the plays ,” Watson said. “I watch the timing and rhythm of feet from coach Warner’s previous quarterback at Bowling Green…that’s what I try to mimic this offense after, just getting it off quick.”
As promising as UMass’ receiving may be, it’s running game must be more of a factor this fall. During the 2025 season, the Minutemen were one of three FBS squads to rush for less than 1,000 yards as a team (989) and they only found the end zone six times through the ground.
“The physicality that our running back room is going to play with, we’re going to have to lean on,” Warner said. “Justin [Williams]-Thomas, he’s really having a good camp. He’s had a great summer, great spring, the way he’s been able to set the pace in that room. Elijah Faulkner’s come on, we knew what he was a little bit last year in the games that he was in, but his spring, his summer development, he’s put some weight on, he’s physical, he’s hungry.”
Watson echoed similar sentiments of the backs when describing the team’s versatility.
“The run game and the shots off of the run game, just being able to build off of other plays, that’s probably my favorite thing about [the offense]…I feel like we have a great running back room and we’re going to be tough to deal with,” Watson said.
Williams-Thomas ran for 197 yards and two touchdowns at Marshall in 2025, while Faulkner appeared in all 12 games as a freshman last year and finished with 114 rushing yards.
Simply put, for UMass to show any signs of improvement in 2026, its offense must look more competent than it did a season ago. Through a week of fall camp, Warner is content with the team’s progression in that department.
“I think right now, with where things are, I feel really good,” Warner said. “Cautiously optimistic about things that are happening. Guys making plays, obviously defense making plays, practice going back and forth, so those are good things. Just focused on with our unit, the offense, continuing working through the installs and just preaching toughness and connection and working that way.”
