AJ Hairston News, Rumors, Updates - UMass Minutemen

Won't play in finale Hairston will sit out the season finale Tuesday versus Bowling Green, per the MAC availability report.

Impact Hairston joins Bandon Rose on the sidelines for the finale, leaving UMass without two of its top three options under center. Look for Grant Jordan to handle the duties as a result.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starts game, doesn't play again Hairston was 0-for-1 passing for zero yards and logged one rush for 19 yards during Tuesday's 42-14 defeat versus Ohio.

Impact Hairston was under center for the opening snaps of the eventual blowout loss, but he didn't see the field again after being sidelined midway through the first drive. While the redshirt freshman quarterback could be used in a three-man attack next week against Bowling Green, he remains behind Grant Jordan and Brandon Rose on the pecking order.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Splits reps in blowout loss Hairston was 13-for-21 passing for 91 yards during Wednesday's 45-3 defeat versus Northern Illinois. He also had three rushes for 23 yards.

Impact Hairston started out the game for the Minutemen for the Wednesday showing, but he ended up splitting reps with position mate Brandon Rose. Hairston has struggled as UMass's starting quarterback so far this campaign, so it's not much of a surprise that the coaches are trying out other options. It's unknown how involved he'll be at Ohio next Tuesday now.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Macon scores 4 TDs in first start as NIU downs UMass 45-3

Jalen Macon delivered four touchdowns in his Northern Illinois debut, powering the Huskies to a 45-3 rout of winless UMass on Wednesday

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • Associated Press

Struggles continue against Zips Hairston was 12-for-20 passing for 54 yards and one touchdown during Tuesday's 44-10 loss against Akron.

Impact Hairston struggled to get the Minutemen going once again, and his squad has yet to get a win. The redshirt freshman quarterback did toss a touchdown and had no turnovers, but threw for his worst yardage total in five weeks. He'll aim to hopefully keep it competitive against Northern Illinois if he remains the starter next week.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finley and Gant lead Akron to 44-10 victory over winless UMass

Ben Finley throws two touchdown passes and runs for a score as Akron beats winless Massachusetts 44-10 on Tuesday night

NOVEMBER 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Extremely inefficient in loss Hairston was 21-for-51 passing for 176 yards and one interception during Saturday's 38-13 loss to Central Michigan. He also had nine rushes for 29 yards.

Impact Hairston logged a whopping season-high 51 passing attempts against the Chippewas, but he had nothing to show for them with just 176 yards and one interception. The 6-foot-3 quarterback has failed to get a win for the Minutemen so far this season. He's thrown three touchdowns and four interceptions in his five starts this season.

OCTOBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Two touchdowns in near win Hairston was 6-for-14 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 28-21 defeat versus Buffalo. He also had 13 rushes for zero yards.

Impact Hairston pieced together his best showing of the season against the Bulls, dishing out multiple touchdowns for the first time this campaign and nearly getting the Minutemen a win. The 6-foot-3 quarterback still wasn't able to deliver in the end, though, as UMass failed to score in the final quarter of play. He'll remain searching for his first win of the season at CMU next week.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Buffalo stages comeback in final minute to stun winless Massachusetts 28-21

Ta’Quan Roberson passed for a career-high 403 yards, firing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Victor Snow with 21 seconds left and Buffalo stunned Massachusetts 28-21 after a late celebr...

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Two turnovers in blowout Hairston was 26-for-48 passing for 227 yards and one interception during Saturday's 42-6 loss versus Kent State.

Impact Hairston was able to log his highest passing-yard total of the season in the blowout, but he paired that with no touchdowns with both an interception and a fumble. The 6-foot-3 quarterback has thrown just one touchdown and three interceptions in his last three starts for the Minutemen's, so the team might go in a different direction next week.

OCTOBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Broc Lowry accounts for two TDs to lead Western Michigan over UMass 21-3

Broc Lowry leads Western Michigan to a 21-3 victory over Massachusetts

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Struggles in role Hairston completed 11 of 18 passes for 131 yards and one interception during Saturday's 21-3 defeat to Western Michigan.

Impact Hairston didn't start the game against the Broncos, but he got in during the third quarter. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-3 quarterback's output was not much better, if not worse, than Brandon Rose who was sidelined. It's unknown how the Minutemen will operate their quarterback role moving forward.

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in blowout Hairston was 11-for-31 passing for 75 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 42-6 defeat to Missouri.

Impact Hairston did what he could against the Tigers, but it was very minimal in the eventual blowout. The 6-foot-3 quarterback made his first start of the season in the loss, although an SEC opponent isn't the best representation of his skills. He'll likely get another shot versus Western Michigan this upcoming Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Saturday Hairston has been named the start for Saturday's contest against Missouri, per Garrett Cote of The Greenfield Recorder.

Impact Hairston will make the start against Missouri on Saturday, marking his first start of the season. The 6-foot-3 quarterback will start in place of Brandon Rose, who has been working through an undisclosed injury. Hairston has appeared in two games for the Minutemen this season, completing seven of 12 passes for 84 scoreless yards.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets playing time in close loss Hairston was 3-for-4 passing for 28 yards during Saturday's 27-26 loss against Bryant.

Impact The redshirt freshman looked to be buried in the quarterback depth chart ahead of the season for UMass but struggles from starting quarterback Brandon Rose paved way for Hairston and Grant Jordan to get reps. Jordan ended up leading the way and finishing the game with a solid stat-line, but it's still unknown who the Minutemen will play at quarterback moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets playing time in close loss Hairston was 3-for-4 passing for 28 yards during Saturday's 27-26 loss against Bryant.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Career best TDs Hairston completed 13 of 21 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns during Saturday's 47-42 defeat versus Connecticut.

Impact Hairston had his best outing since senior Taisun Phommachanh (undisclosed) was lost for the season because of an injury on November 2. With Phommachanh not expected back next season, Hairston could be favorite for the Minutemen's starting job in 2025, barring transfers. The freshman completed 40-of-73 for 480 yards and five touchdowns this season, all in the last four games of 2024.

DECEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Throws TD versus Dogs Hairston was 7-for-16 passing for 121 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 59-21 loss versus Georgia. He also had nine rushes for -15 yards.

Impact As expected, Hairston had severe pressure thrust upon him in being sacked three times. Outside of that the freshman threw a touchdown and did not have an interception so considering how tough Georgia is, Hairston played relatively well. He will have an easier time against UConn this Saturday (Nov. 30). The Huskies defense is in the middle of the country against the pass.

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient in first start Hairston completed 13 of 25 passes for 163 yards during Saturday's 35-34 overtime loss against Liberty. He also had six rushes for seven yards with one touchdown.

Impact Hairston might not have registered a passing touchdown, but he was efficient while not causing a turnover or being sacked. The freshman appears to be the top choice right now with starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh injured and out for the season. Hairston received most of the time under center with fellow freshman Ahmad Haston also seeing time under center, but more of in a Wildcat option. If Hairston gets the start this Saturday (Nov. 23) against Georgia, it will be certainly a tough task against a Bulldogs' defense who are the top 30 defense against both passing and running in the nation.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Throws first collegiate TD Hairston was 7-for-11 passing for 62 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 45-20 defeat versus Mississippi State. He also had five rushes for negative six yards.

Impact Hairston threw his first touchdown pass, a four-yard strike to Jakobie Keeney-James in the fourth quarter. The freshman is looking for as much playing time as possible as senior starting quarterback Taisun Phommachanh will probably not be back next season.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Macon scores 4 TDs in first start as NIU downs UMass 45-3

Finley and Gant lead Akron to 44-10 victory over winless UMass

Buffalo stages comeback in final minute to stun winless Massachusetts 28-21

Broc Lowry accounts for two TDs to lead Western Michigan over UMass 21-3