William Watson III News, Rumors, Updates - UMass Minutemen

Watson paces UMass in 36-14 win over Stonehill to get Minutemen to 3-0 for first time since '07

William Watson III threw for a touchdown and ran for another and UMass beat Stonehill 36-14

6 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Scores twice in Week 3 Watson completed 15 of 25 passes for 160 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 36-14 win against Stonehill. He also had nine rushes for two yards with one tou...

Impact Through three games, Watson has compiled seven total touchdowns to lead the Minutemen to a rare 3-0 start. The quarterback contributed both scores in the fourth quarter after running one in from a yard out and tossing a 51-yard pass to T.Y. Harding for the second score. Watson will look to preserve the perfect start to the season as UMass opens up MAC play next week at Sacramento State.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Scores twice in win Watson was 9-for-10 passing for 152 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 37-10 win over Sacred Heart. He also had four rushes for 40 yards with one touchdown.

Impact Watson followed up his Minutemen debut with a solid performance during their second win of the season. The Virginia Tech transfer started the scoring early in the first with a 49-yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Harding to give the Minutemen the lead. Watson later scored on an eight-yard rush to pad the lead. Watson will look to lead UMass to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2007.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

T.Y. Harding gets UMass off to fast start as Minutemen win consecutive games for 1st time since 2023

SEPTEMBER 12 • Associated Press

CFB Week 1 Superlatives: Michigan's Hail Mary, Lane Kiffin's LSU Debut And CFP Effects

Week 1 of the 2026 college football season was full of surprises, great games and performances worth celebrating.

SEPTEMBER 8 • FOX SPORTS

CFB Week 1 Superlatives: Michigan's Hail Mary, Lane Kiffin's LSU Debut And CFP Effects

Thrives in Minutemen debut Watson completed 19 of 22 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns during Thursday's 37-21 victory against Rutgers. He also had six rushes for 40 yards.

Impact Watson did not disappoint in his first game with UMass, leading them to their first FBS win since 2023 and snapping a 16-game losing streak. The senior quarterback threw all three touchdowns in the first half, two to Elijah Faulkner and one to Joseph Griffin. Watson will look to lead the Minutemen to their first 2-0 start since 2011 when they match up with Sacred Heart on Sept. 12.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

UMass Minutemen vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Highlights 🏈 FOX College Football

SEPTEMBER 4 • FOX SPORTS

William Watson III hits Joseph Griffin Jr. for 31-yard TD, extending UMass's lead over Rutgers

SEPTEMBER 3 • FOX SPORTS

William Watson III throws 21-yard TD pass to Elijah Faulkner, tying game vs Rutgers

SEPTEMBER 3 • FOX SPORTS

Slated to start under center Watson is slated to be the Minutemen's QB1 this fall, per Ryan Ames of the Greenfield Recorder.

Impact "Pop" Watson spent the last three seasons at Virginia Tech. In 2025, he tossed for just 77 yards on 2-of-4 passing in limited action, also rushing for 22 yards and a score. Now entering his fourth year of college football, he's poised to lead the UMass' offense as it transitions to the MAC.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Committed to UMass Watson has committed to play for UMass for the 2026 season, per Pete Thamel of ESPN.com.

Impact Watson will join the Minutemen following three seasons with Virginia Tech. The 5-foot-11 quarterback appeared in four games for the Hokies in 2025, throwing for 77 scoreless yards without a turnover while adding 22 yards and a rushing touchdown on the ground as well. He will retain two years of eligibility with UMass moving forward.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Going portaling Watson plans to enter the transfer portal, per Pete Thamel of ESPN.com.

Impact Watson will leave the Hokies after a three-year stint with the program. The 5-foot-11 quarterback served as the backup quarterback this past season, and he started two games during his tenure with Virginia Tech. He'll have two years of eligibility remaining.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Shines in relief Watson was 2-for-3 passing for 77 yards during Saturday's 34-17 defeat to Miami (FL). He also had three rushes for negative one yard with one touchdown.

Impact Watson entered in the fourth quarter after Kyron Drones got shaken up and scored a touchdown almost immediately. While the spark helped close the point differential, it likely wasn't enough for VT to consider starting Watson in the regular-season finale. That said, the Hokies may be quicker to turn away from Drones in Week 14 if Drones struggles.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

With Drones as starting QB, Watson and Rangel aim to 'thrive off competition' for Hokies Tech’s top three quarterbacks enter the season with starting experience. Kyron Drones has started 20 games over the last two seasons, Pop Wa...

AUGUST 11, 2025 • DAILYPROGRESS.COM

With Drones as starter, Watson and Rangel aim to 'thrive off competition' for Hokies Tech’s top three quarterbacks enter the season with starting experience. Kyron Drones has started 20 games over the last two seasons, Pop Wa...

AUGUST 10, 2025 • NEWSADVANCE.COM

Splits time in bowl game Watson was 8-for-12 passing for 81 yards and one interception during Friday's 24-10 loss versus Minnesota. He also had nine rushes for -31 yards.

Impact Watson got the start for Virginia Tech against Minnesota, but split time with Collin Schlee under center. He had a rough day through the air, failing to hit the century mark and turning the ball over. He had an up-and-down season as a redshirt freshman, and will look to secure the starting job next fall.

JANUARY 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will start Mayo Bowl Watson will start for Virginia Tech in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, Andy Bitter of Tech Sidelines reports.

Impact Watson was solid in his first and only start of the season, a win over Virginia in which he tossed for 254 yards and a touchdown while completing 66.7 percent of his passes. The quarterback will now reportedly get another start, this one coming in the postseason, with Collin Schlee set to back him up.

JANUARY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Solid showing in first start Watson was 14-for-21 passing for 254 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 37-17 win over Virginia. He also had 11 rushes for 48 yards with one touchdown.

Impact Watson got the start in place of the injured Kyron Drones and Colin Schlee. The redshirt freshman quarterback played very well in his first career start, surpassing 300 all-purpose yards and protecting the football while completing an efficient 66.7 percent of his passes. If the Hokies' other quarterbacks remain out, Watson could very feasible start the bowl game.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting as expected Watson will start Saturday's game against Virginia as expected, Damien Sordelett of The Roanoke Times reports.

Impact An earlier report indicated Watson was expected to start, but it was possible he would share time with Collin Schlee (undisclosed) under center. With Schlee officially out for the contest, look for Watson to handle all of the reps under center in the intra-state showdown with Virginia.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to start for VT Watson is expected to get the start for Virginia Tech against Virginia, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Virginia Tech's quarterback room is in disarray, as Colin Schlee (undisclosed) is expected to be a game-time call but likely won't start, and the regular starter Kyron Drones (undisclosed) isn't in the picture. Watson had a tough outing in place of the injured Schlee last week, tossing for 146 yards and an interception against Duke. Nonetheless, the Hokies are expected to turn to Watson again, for lack of better options.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rough outing in place of Schlee Watson was 12-for-25 passing for 146 yards and one interception during Saturday's 31-28 loss against Duke. He also had 17 rushes for negative four yards.

Impact Watson entered the game for Colin Schlee, who was already replacing Kyron Drones. He didn't fare all that well, completing under 50 percent of his passes and tossing an interception. The Hokies' quarterback situation is unclear moving foward, but Watson would feasibly be in line to start again if Drones and Schlee's injuries remain lingering.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch at Vanderbilt Watson (undisclosed) was a healthy scratch during Virginia Tech's 34-27 loss Saturday at Vanderbilt.

Impact According to Kolby Crawford of 247Sports.com, Watson participated in Virginia Tech's team practice Tuesday. But as the current Hokies' tertiary quarterback, he is not expected to play much or any football. At least temporarily, Watson could be their secondary QB if Kyron Drones (undisclosed) must sit out after suffering cramping Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch at Vanderbilt Watson (undisclosed) was a healthy scratch during Virginia Tech's 34-27 loss Saturday at Vanderbilt.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with injury Watson is dealing with a "nagging injury" at the moment, Andy Bitter of Tech Sidelines reports.

Impact Watson's injury has not been described, but it could affect his immediate role should he not be healthy quickly. Collin Schlee has been making a case to be Virginia Tech's backup quarterback in place of Watson.

AUGUST 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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