Five Minutemen Garner Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent Honors

AMHERST, Mass. – Five members of the University of Massachusetts football team have been named to the 2022 Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent Team, announced on Wednesday afternoon. Running back Ellis Merriweather tabbed a spot on the All-Independent First Team, while tight end Josiah Johnson, offensive tackle Max Longman, defensive tackle Billy Wooden and cornerback Josh Wallace were placed on the Second Team.

Last season, Merriweather became Massachusetts' first 1,000-yard rusher in the program's FBS era, and finished the year with 1,303 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns. He tallied 218 consecutive carries without any fumbles and totaled a career-high 39 carries for 171 yards and two touchdowns, leading UMass to its first victory of the 2021 season. The Alpharetta, Georgia, native, also established a new school single-season record, posting 100 or more rushing yards in seven contests, including 749 yards in the last five games alone. He put up a career best 177 yards against Rhode Island (11/13) and capped the season with longest touchdown of his career at 79 yards at New Mexico State (11/27). Merriweather received 2021 Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team honors.

Johnson, who received 2021 Phil Steeled Preseason All-Independent Second Team honors as a tight end, caught 11 passes for 115 yards, adding three touchdowns. He also rushed for 52 yards on six attempts, including a season-high 42 yards and one touchdown on only three attempts at Army (11/20).

Longman anchored the offensive line in all 12 game's last season, playing over 700 snaps on the year.

Wooden competed in 10 of the team's 12 games, making four tackles, including 0.5 for a loss of three yards, against Boston College (9/11). He finished the season with 38 tackles recorded and eight tackles for loss.

Wallace, a 2020 Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team honoree, compiled 53 total tackles last season, including 32 solo tackles. He also added four tackles for loss for 10 yards and one sack. The Hyattsville, Maryland, native, tallied a team-high 12 pass breakups.

2022 Phil Steele Preseason Independent All-Conference Teams
First Team Offense
QB Jaren Hall, BYU
RB Ellis Merriweather, Massachusetts
RB Dae Dae Hunter, Liberty
WR Puka Nacua, BYU
WR Demario Douglas, Liberty
WR Braden Lenzy, Notre Dame
TE Isaac Rex, BYU
TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
C Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
OG Clark Barrington, BYU
OG Brendan Schlittler, Liberty
OT Blake Freeland, BYU
OT Jordyn Law, Army West Point

Second Team Offense
QB Tyler Buchner, Notre Dame
RB Tyrell Robinson, Army West Point
RB Christopher Brooks, BYU
WR Cameron Ross, Connecticut
WR Gunner Romney, BYU
WR Caleb Snead, Liberty
TE Thomaz Whitford, New Mexico State
TE Josiah Johnson, Massachusetts
C Connor Bishop, Army West Point
OG Christian Haynes, Connecticut
OG Josh Lugg, Notre Dame
OT Max Longman, Massachusetts
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

First Team Defense
DE TreShaun Clark, Liberty
DT Jayson Ademilola, Notre Dame
DT Kendy Charles, Liberty
DE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
LB JD Bertrand, Notre Dame
LB Ben Bywater, BYU
LB Andre Carter, Army West Point
LB Payton Wilgar, BYU
CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
CB Jabari Moore, Army West Point
S Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame
S Marquel Broughton, Army West Point

Second Team Defense
DE Tyler Batty, BYU
DT Billy Wooden, Massachusetts
DT Howard Cross, Notre Dame
DE Kwabena Bonsu, Army West Point
LB Chris Ojoh, New Mexico State
LB Keenan Pili, BYU
LB Jackson Mitchell, Connecticut
LB Trevor Brohard, New Mexico State
CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, BYU
CB Josh Wallace, Massachusetts
S Malik Moore, BYU
S Javon Scruggs, Liberty

First Team Special Teams
K Ethan Albertson, New Mexico State
P Ryan Rehkow, BYU
KR Brian Brewton, Connecticut
PR Tyrell Robinson, Army West Point
LS Austin Mock, Liberty

Second Team Special Teams
K Jake Oldroyd, BYU
P Josh Carlson, New Mexico State
KR Chris Tyree, Notre Dame
PR Demario Douglas, Liberty
LS Ryan Aguilar, Army West Point

Scoreboard

Five Minutemen Garner Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent Honors

Players Mentioned

Josiah Johnson

Max Longman

Ellis Merriweather

Josh Wallace

Billy Wooden

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics