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University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Football Camp Countdown - Offensive Line
August 22, 2022 | Football
Jay Burnham breaks down the Minutemen's o-line group with associate head coach Alex Miller.
Jay Burnham recently sat down with Massachusetts football associate head coach Alex Miller to talk about how the Minutemen's offensive line is shaping up for the 2022 campaign. Miller, back for a second season, brings familiarity to UMass' o-line room, which has added competitive depth in the offseason as the squad has brought in guys that push each other and create competition at multiple spots, something the team has been missing in recent seasons.
"When you have enough guys, you can move guys around and make sure guys are getting snaps," said Miller. "So if something happens, you have options."
UMass' offensive line has ability to pass protect, but is well-suited for the Minutemen's run first offense. According to Miller, "We've got to hang our hat on getting that three-to-four yards and that's the mindset."
CENTER
Josh Atwood – Sophomore – Natick, Mass.
Atwood moved from the defensive line for competitive depth purposes, a decision that was made this past February, giving him all of spring ball and fall camp to transition. He appeared in all 12 games in 2021.
According to Miller: "Josh is a super athletic guy for his size and just gives us an extra gear in the middle of our offense that if we're going to run the football we need."
Joe Horn – Sophomore – Hamilton, N.J.
Horn appeared in eight games in 2021 as a reserve and is coming off an injury that caused him to miss spring ball. He also can play center for the Minutemen.
According to Miller. "He came back in great shape and is competing."
GUARDS
Ethan Mottinger – Sophomore – North Attleboro, Mass.
Mottinger started all 12 games and played 1,100 snaps last year, valuable experience with "the grind" and allowed him to learn what it takes to stay healthy and keep himself on the field. He has been seeing time at tackle as well.
According to Miller: "He did a really good job with the strength staff between the spring and summer, shedding some pounds and putting it back on the right way and getting a little quicker."
Xavier Graham – Redshirt Sophomore – Niceville, Fla.
Graham played 50-60 snaps in 2021, seeing action in three games.
According to Miller: "Xavier did a good job learning what it takes to play college football and getting his body right in the offseason."
TACKLES
Max Longman – Redshirt Sophomore – Portage, Mich.
Longman saw action in all 12 games last season. He is already emerging as a leader as the person his teammates look to and listen to on the offensive unit. His consistency will be critical for the offensive line with Josh Atwood learning center.
According to Miller: "If we had 85 Max Longman's we'd be in great shape. He shows up, works hard, competes. Coach talks about being a professional, Max Longman is a professional."
Jonny Hassard – Sophomore – Mt. Ulla, N.C.
Hassard saw action in all 12 games in 2021 and spent time as a reserve on the o-line during the COVID season of 2020.
According to Miller: "He is another 20 pounds heavier than he was last year, stronger and moving better."
TRANSFER ADDITIONS
The Minutemen have added three transfers to the offensive line, who Miller calls "grown men."
Cole Garcia, a redshirt junior from Dallas, Texas who played four years at Rice, saw starting action for the Owls beginning in his freshman season in 2018.
Ben Bohnenberger, a redshirt junior from Mashpee, Massachusetts, joins the Minutemen from Colgate after playing two seasons at Colgate and making seven starts.
Connor Vasher, a junior from Savannah, Georgia, played 15 games over the course of three seasons at Savannah State.
According to Miller, this group knows what to expect and have all started games at the collegiate level. "They know how to prepare, know to act and that's a huge deal." He said, "It feels like they've been here for a year or two."
"When you have enough guys, you can move guys around and make sure guys are getting snaps," said Miller. "So if something happens, you have options."
UMass' offensive line has ability to pass protect, but is well-suited for the Minutemen's run first offense. According to Miller, "We've got to hang our hat on getting that three-to-four yards and that's the mindset."
CENTER
Josh Atwood – Sophomore – Natick, Mass.
Atwood moved from the defensive line for competitive depth purposes, a decision that was made this past February, giving him all of spring ball and fall camp to transition. He appeared in all 12 games in 2021.
According to Miller: "Josh is a super athletic guy for his size and just gives us an extra gear in the middle of our offense that if we're going to run the football we need."
Joe Horn – Sophomore – Hamilton, N.J.
Horn appeared in eight games in 2021 as a reserve and is coming off an injury that caused him to miss spring ball. He also can play center for the Minutemen.
According to Miller. "He came back in great shape and is competing."
Ethan Mottinger – Sophomore – North Attleboro, Mass.
Mottinger started all 12 games and played 1,100 snaps last year, valuable experience with "the grind" and allowed him to learn what it takes to stay healthy and keep himself on the field. He has been seeing time at tackle as well.
According to Miller: "He did a really good job with the strength staff between the spring and summer, shedding some pounds and putting it back on the right way and getting a little quicker."
Xavier Graham – Redshirt Sophomore – Niceville, Fla.
Graham played 50-60 snaps in 2021, seeing action in three games.
According to Miller: "Xavier did a good job learning what it takes to play college football and getting his body right in the offseason."
Max Longman – Redshirt Sophomore – Portage, Mich.
Longman saw action in all 12 games last season. He is already emerging as a leader as the person his teammates look to and listen to on the offensive unit. His consistency will be critical for the offensive line with Josh Atwood learning center.
According to Miller: "If we had 85 Max Longman's we'd be in great shape. He shows up, works hard, competes. Coach talks about being a professional, Max Longman is a professional."
Jonny Hassard – Sophomore – Mt. Ulla, N.C.
Hassard saw action in all 12 games in 2021 and spent time as a reserve on the o-line during the COVID season of 2020.
According to Miller: "He is another 20 pounds heavier than he was last year, stronger and moving better."
TRANSFER ADDITIONS
The Minutemen have added three transfers to the offensive line, who Miller calls "grown men."
Cole Garcia, a redshirt junior from Dallas, Texas who played four years at Rice, saw starting action for the Owls beginning in his freshman season in 2018.
Ben Bohnenberger, a redshirt junior from Mashpee, Massachusetts, joins the Minutemen from Colgate after playing two seasons at Colgate and making seven starts.
Connor Vasher, a junior from Savannah, Georgia, played 15 games over the course of three seasons at Savannah State.
According to Miller, this group knows what to expect and have all started games at the collegiate level. "They know how to prepare, know to act and that's a huge deal." He said, "It feels like they've been here for a year or two."
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