Some intriguing new pieces look to plug in and solidly a defense which could use some playmakers.
Throughout UMass’ FBS tenure, weak defenses have crippled the Minutemen. Since moving to the FBS, the Minutemen have yet to produce a defense that has allowed less than 30 points per game. Last season was no different. The Minutemen allowed a staggering 37 points per game. The run defense was the most glaring weakness, allowing over 221 yards per game. Lowlights for the run defense include two 300-yard games on the ground against Toledo and Liberty. Thankfully, help is on the way. Several transfers add to a defense with five returning starters to give Don Brown his best unit yet.
Defensive line
Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Departures:
- Billy Wooden (51 tackles, 11.5 TFLs in 2023)
- JB Brown (37 tackles, 4.5 TFLs in 2023)
- Marcus Bradley (27 tackles, 2 TFLs in 2023)
- Cletus Mathurin (25 tackles, 2 TFLs in 2023)
Arrivals:
- Etinosa Rueben (transfer from Georgia Tech)
- Jaylen Hudson (transfer from Wake Forest)
Returnees:
- Aaron Beckwith
- Louce Julien
The defensive line has the most room for improvement by a pretty decent margin— and they will have to replace their biggest contributor in Billy Wooden, who notched 11.5 tackles for loss in 2023, and another quality player in JB Brown (37 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss).
A trio of transfers look to anchor the Minutemen line for the 2024 season. At 290 pounds, Eastern Michigan transfer Tim Grant-Randall (29 tackles, 2.5 TFLs in 2023) combines with senior Aaron Beckwith (20 tackles) to provide much-needed size in the middle of UMass’ 4-3 scheme. These two look to fill the substantial hole that Wooden leaves the Minutemen.
On the edge, Etinosa Rueben (20 career tackles and 3.5 TFLs at Georgia Tech and Clemson) and Jaylen Hudson (37 career tackles at Wake Forest) both come from ACC programs. While Rueben is more of a run-stopper at 285 pounds, Hudson provides speed on the edge with his 245-pound frame.
Fall camps should hopefully shed some light on the situation along the line of scrimmage.
Linebackers
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Departures:
- Nahji Logan (59 tackles in 2023)
- Jerry Roberts (37 tackles in 2023)
Arrivals:
- Macklin Ayers (169 tackles in 2022 and 2023 for Dartmouth)
Returnees:
- Gerrell Johnson (51 tackles, two forced fumbles in 2023)
- Jalen Stewart (30 tackles in 2023)
- Darrieon Craig (24 tackles, 4.5 TFLs in 2023)
- Zukudo Igwenagu (29 tackles, 2 TFLs in 2023)
Although 2023 leading tackler Nahji Logan (59 tackles) departs, UMass returns plenty of production and adds first-team all-Ivy League linebacker Macklin Ayers from Dartmouth into the fold.
Ayers, a team captain for the Big Green, collected 79 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, a sack, an interception and four pass break-ups. He’ll be in contention for a starting role right away.
Gerrell Johnson returns after totaling 51 tackles and two forced fumbles last season, good for second on the team. Jalen Stewart, Zukudo Igenagu, and Darrieon Craig (4.5 TFLs) add depth, combining for over 80 tackles last season.
The most glaring concern for the unit is its size. UMass’ largest linebacker, Gerrell Johnson, weighs 230 pounds, while Jalen Stewart and Darreion Craig are each below 210 pounds. After the Minutemen’s woes stopping the run in 2023, this is a storyline to watch for the defense.
Defensive backs
Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images
Departures:
- Dashaun Jenkins (30 tackles, four pass breakups in 2023)
- Jordan Mahoney (29 tackles, three pass breakups in 2023)
ARRIVALS:
- Leonard St. Gourdin (transfer from FCS Dartmouth)
- Lake Ellis (transfer from FCS Bryant)
- Brennen Bailey (transfer from D-II West Liberty [WV])
- Ryan Barnes (transfer from Notre Dame)
RETURNEES:
- Te’Rai Powell
- Isaiah Rutherford
- Tyler Rudolph
Looking only at yards per game, one would assume UMass had a solid pass defense last year. The Minutemen allowed 206 yards per game through the air. However, a deeper look shows that this number was low because opposing teams only passed against UMass when they had to since UMass’ rush defense was so bad in 2023. The Minutemen allowed 24 touchdown passes and only intercepted eight passes last season. This year, Power Four transfers and FCS and Division II standouts give the Minutemen secondary new hope for 2023.
Te’Rai Powell is a steady playmaker in the run game, totaling 59 tackles last year. Isaiah Rutherford returns with valuable experience, intercepting a pass and breaking up three in 2023. Tyler Rudolph showed flashes of lock-down ability last season with five pass breakups in ten starts last year after transferring in from Penn State.
A pair of FCS transfers are set to make a potential impact as well this season. Former Bryant Bulldog Lake Ellis was a ballhawk last season, breaking up 11 passes. In a 44-14 loss to UNLV, Ellis was part of a secondary that held second-team All-American Ricky White to two catches for five yards. Yet another Dartmouth transfer looks to improve UMass’ defense as Leonard St. Gourdin (48 tackles) comes to Amherst from Dartmouth, joining fellow Big Green teammate Macklin Ayers. St. Gourdin, who stands at six-foot-three, broke up eight passes in ten games at Dartmouth from the safety spot last season, bringing production, size and impressive jump ball skills to the Minutemen secondary.
After notching only eight interceptions last season, the Minutemen need playmakers on defense to provide the breakthrough needed to pull upsets this year.
Other transfers look to provide substantial depth in the secondary. CB Ryan Barnes’ arrival from Notre Dame mirrors Coach Don Brown’s aggressive transfer approach on offense. Meanwhile, six-foot-two cornerback Brennen Bailey adds size and ball skills to the secondary from Division II West Liberty. Bailey could be a key contributor in nickel packages after intercepting three passes for West Liberty last year.
Plenty of fresh faces litter the UMass defense. However, the unfamiliarity is beneficial for the Minutemen. The cliche “nowhere to go but up”, applies here. Luckily, Don Brown is a renowned defensive mind in the college football world. His expertise and the experienced transfers could give UMass a defense that will keep its offense in games in 2024.