AMHERST — For the first time all summer, a UMass football quarterback spoke to the media after practice on Friday afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
After being names QB1 earlier this week, Brandon Rose answered questions about the quarterback competition, his relationship with offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and how the offense is coming together now a week out of the Minutemen’s season opener against Temple on Aug. 30.
Rose won the job over redshirt freshman AJ Hairston and senior transfer Grant Jordan. That was the expected outcome of the competition considering Rose followed Bajakian to Amherst from Utah — where they both were in 2024.
Head coach Joe Harasymiak said on Monday that he felt Rose gave UMass the best chance to win this season, which gives his quarterback a boatload of confidence heading into the year.
“It was a great experience to compete against Grant and AJ,” Rose said on Friday. “I think they’re both great players, they both have really bright futures. I’m just thankful the coaches have enough trust in me to name me QB1 and start Week 1 versus Temple.”
Rose admitted that having already worked closely with Bajakian made his transition to UMass much smoother. He’s been one of most vocal players throughout fall camp, leading the offense during the playbook installation.
Throughout Rose’s high school career and his one year at Utah, he has always battled for a starting spot. He finally earned the chance with the Utes, but in his first start against BYU last season he suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for the rest of 2024. Now, the Minutemen are fully riding with the kid from Temecula, California.
“What kick started it was my offensive coordinator coming here from Utah as well,” Rose said when asked what led him to UMass. “When I came up here on my visit, talked with [Coach Harasymiak], I just loved the environment from the whole entire staff up here… It made me feel like it was the right decision to make.”
As far as weapons go, UMass has surrounded Rose with a plethora of capable play makers that should completely revamp the Minutemen offense. Wide receivers Jake McConnachie, Tyree Kelly, T.Y. Harding, Jacquon Gibson and more lead a talented pass catching group while running backs Juwan Price, Rocko Griffin and Brandon Hood offer a handful of option out of the backfield.
Rose, a junior, is pleased with what he has at his disposal.
“Nothing that a quarterback wouldn’t want out here,” Rose said. “I got guys at all positions… You name it, we’ve got a weapon for it.”
The same goes for the offensive line.
“I love that o-line room, and I’ve spent a lot of time with them,” Rose said. “They’re hard workers, and very smart up front. They’re physical. They know exactly what they need to do. And [offensive line coach Kurt Anderson] has that room tight, acting five as one.”
Harasymiak and Bajakian seem to have made the right decision, as the Minutemen roster thinks just as highly of Rose as he does of them.