Six months ago, Colbert Calhoun had yet to even commit to play at UMass.

But as the Minutemen get set to start the second half of the football season, the junior college transfer from California has suddenly been thrust into an important role.

Calhoun takes over as the starting middle linebacker in UMass’ 3-4 defense with junior Shane Huber out for the season.

UMass has been young and thin at linebacker. Calhoun, who was a first-team all-league player at San Bernadino (California) College, is being asked to be a newcomer and a leader at the same time.

“It’s a bigger jump from J.C. to this level than it was the last time I was here,” said Whipple in reference to his prior Division I-AA coaching stint in Amherst. “Colbert is settling in. I can see his personality coming through a little more. He’s got to step up and make some plays for us.”

Calhoun said the linebackers’ meeting room wasn’t the same with Huber out.

“As a room it hit us all pretty tough. Coach told us all to be prepared for the opportunities we’re getting,” he said. “We’ll be prepared. We know backers go down because we’re the most physical (players) on the field. We knew everybody had to pick up their energy because he’s always been an energy focus for the team.”

He said he’s ready for an expanded role.

“It has been a fast process, but it’s nothing I can’t adapt to, especially because I have Shane and Steve (Casali) and Coach (Charles) Walker and the whole room behind me,” he said. “A lot is thrown upon you being a new guy, but you have to become that leader. Especially as a mike backer, you’re the quarterback of the whole defense.”

BRENEMAN HONOR — UMass junior tight end Adam Breneman was added to the Mackey Award’s midseason watch list Wednesday. The award goes to the nation’s best tight end.

Minuteman senior Todd Stafford was a surprise entry on the preseason watch list, but Breneman, a transfer from Penn State, has essentially replaced him on the midseason list.

In six starts, Breneman has 28 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns. His reception totals is third in the nation among tight ends.

SOUTH CAROLINA KICK SET — UMass’ Oct. 22 game at South Carolina will officially tip at noon. The game had a TBA start listed until this week. It will air on the SEC Network.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage