Portal- 2026 Season

[minutefanjsf]

FCS football for Hairston makes sense

Why? FBS all dual threat now?

Why? It's not rocket science; it's his best chance to get the playing time he wants

It’s a surprise to me. Figured some FBS team with an old school offense would’ve signed him. He really has an elite arm.

[minutefanjsf]

^Tomorrow is the last day the transfer portal is open.

Might be wrong, but I think that’s just the window for entering the portal, not for picking a school.

Yes. This is true.

[TheInsider]

Why? FBS all dual threat now?

Why? It's not rocket science; it's his best chance to get the playing time he wants

It’s a surprise to me. Figured some FBS team with an old school offense would’ve signed him. He really has an elite arm.

Kinda puts into perspective what we were working with last year. That being said, if we had a competent OC, he and the rest of the offense would have been much better.

[Jack]

Hopefully we will see some news today on additional transfers.

[Steve81]

After listening to the podcast and hearing Pop's father rave about Griffin, I hope we get him. I know Pop is working hard to bring him to Amherst. It's toward the end of the podcast.

https://www.minutemancommand.com/p/the- ... dium=email

Hope Joseph Griffin signs with us. He'd be the second 4 star recruit. Keep thinking about Pop and Griffin being the dynamic combination like Liam Cohen and Victor Cruz was in the day of good times. There would have to be NIL opportunities for some local businesses. Would love seeing them here and McGuirk would be selling out. It would be just amazing!

[km109]

Looks like UConn has had 4 players on their defensive front enter the Portal today. Definitely wouldn't mind poaching 1 or 2.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Is talking about their High School star # valid for transfers? I'm not suggesting it isn't, just thought it was odd referring back to that after they've played X# of years in college already.

[Jack]

It's a fair question. HS ratings frequently are not confirmed by actual FBS performance. IU is undefeated and playing for the Natty w/a team made up of mainly former 3 star recruits and only 2 former 4 star recruits.

[Steve81]

Is talking about their High School star # valid for transfers? I'm not suggesting it isn't, just thought it was odd referring back to that after they've played X# of years in college already.

While very true Jack, it's worthy of noting as before this year, don't believe we ever had a 4 star HS rated recruit.

Regardless, the main point of getting Pop and Joe Griffin would be an amazing duo additions, and spark a lot of interest and wins. We'd have the potential of bowling as other turn arounds we have seen recently.

[devildawg3010]

It's a fair question. HS ratings frequently are not confirmed by actual FBS performance. IU is undefeated and playing for the Natty w/a team made up of mainly former 3 star recruits and only 2 former 4 star recruits.

Reports also estimate avg age of IU players to be around 22.5-23 y.o. Cignetti built his roster with proven grown men.

[Steve81]

Did add Jan 17th, 6 to the image wall on page 9. Like getting an OL with some size from W & M and good to get that QB.
Counting 24, including the 2 resigned and 21 early period freshman. Guessing down to about 5 or so scholarships left. Wonder about some key possible freshman on Feb 4th.

YA!!! Joe Griffin !!!
https://www.minutemancommand.com/p/brea ... oe-griffin

UMass added another major offensive weapon to its roster via the Transfer Portal on Saturday with the commitment of Joseph Griffin Jr., a veteran wide receiver transferring from Wisconsin to the Amherst.

Griffin, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound receiver from Springfield, Mass., brings significant college experience and big-play potential to UMass’ receiving corps.

He reunites with quarterback Pop Watson III, his former teammate from high school and youth ball, who committed to the Minutemen last Sunday...
...
Before his stint at Wisconsin, though, Griffin had a productive run at Boston College, where he played two seasons and established himself as a big-field target.

In his freshman year at BC in 2022, he caught 18 passes for 234 yards and five touchdowns, including a career-high 103 yards and two scores in a game against Duke.

As a sophomore in 2023, he hauled in 25 receptions for 345 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his ability to be a red-zone threat and contested-catch option over the middle.

A former composite four-star recruit, Griffin was one of Massachusetts’ top wide receiver prospects coming out of high school.

His size and athleticism figure to make him a major threat in the MAC, especially in the red zone

UMass continues to reshape its offense through the transfer portal with the addition of experienced playmakers like Griffin, hoping to blend size, experience and familiarity into its passing attack for the upcoming season.

[Floyd]

Is Harding coming back? Having both him & Griffin added to the receiving corps would be a major upgrade

[UMass1991]

Adding another small DL

https://x.com/umasscommand/status/20126 ... YWZI6001IA

[sbloombe]

Adding another small DL

https://x.com/umasscommand/status/20126 ... YWZI6001IA

Is 6’4” 250lbs small for an edge rusher? I’m not sure it is.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Adding another small DL

https://x.com/umasscommand/status/20126 ... YWZI6001IA

Is 6’4” 250lbs small for an edge rusher? I’m not sure it is.

Seems to be a UMass1991 schtick. Instead of digging into the type of DL this player is, UMass1991 would rather just say the player is small.