Five post-spring Maryland football stock risers

Maryland football wrapped up spring ball over the weekend with the White Team dominating the Red Team, 34-3. But with 15 practices or scrimmages in the books, did any of the new faces step up? After doing so midway through camp, we take a look at our five post-spring stock risers.

RB Nolan Ray

Head coach Mike Locksley has made it clear that finding better ways to run the ball is a focus heading into the 2024 season, and with Roman Hemby and Colby McDonald serving as the vets in the room, the rushing attack still has optimism for that. Fall camp is primarily when playmakers begin to emerge, but second-year running back Nolan Ray has capitalized on his reps after missing his freshman season due to injuries. The Michigan native was able to find the endzone in both scrimmages, while breaking off a big run as well in the spring game, but it’s been his body control and elusiveness coupled with his second-gear speed that’s turned heads. Maryland’s commitment to the ground game is clear with a pair of offensive line assistants in the fold, while the recent hire of Brian Ferentz has made it clear the staff is maximizing efforts to improve its efficiency. While Hemby and McDonald enter the season with established roles, the spring has made it clear that Ray and his big play ability will be featured in 2024.

CB Perry Fisher

The early feedback in the cornerback room was clear: Maryland had a clear CB1 in former Bowling Green CB Jalen Huskey. The biggest question is who would separate themselves from the rest of the pack with multiple underclassmen and inexperienced pieces looking to step up, but with a chance to capitalize on a strong bowl performance, Perry Fisher has continued to step up as the second corner and has the edge in the room. Fisher took the field with the first team cornerback during both the open scrimmage at Ballou and during Saturday’s spring game, but the trust he’s earned over the last month has put him in position for a bigger role this fall. Adding another corner remains a possibility this spring with the portal frenzy still active this week, but Fisher’s emergence has helped stabilize the room. The next wave of additions could add additional immediate contributors to the room with former St. Frances (MD) four-star “Kerm” Humes getting a chance to compete at the nickel.

IOL Josh Kaltenberger

Adding another starting tackle to the offensive line remains a continued focus heading into the rest of the week, but the trio of portal additions have proven to be impactful as expected through the spring. Aliou Bah battled minor injuries but has proven himself to step into one of the vacant guard spots while Alan Herron, who has guard potential, stabilizes the right tackle spot for the next two seasons. Bah and Herron were both named the Dave Pacella OL Award recipients, but after splitting the starting center duties a season ago, former Purdue IOL Josh Kaltenberger has been a stabilizing piece inside and done well to gain confidence heading at center heading into summer. Kaltenberger was also among the recipients of the CJ Brown Leadership Award, a full circle moment for the Pennsylvania native.

SAF Glen Miller

With ample returners and experienced returners on the defensive side of the ball, it was no surprise that the defense came out ahead of the offense during camp with co-defensive coordinator Brian Williams adding onto his scheme in year three. While the secondary had question marks with a trio of starting spots up for grabs,, the confidence in the backline never wavered with Glen Miller making a seamless transition next to Dante Trader Jr. at safety. Miller’s support against the run has been well documented over his last three seasons, but he’s also taken the next step off the field to prove himself as a defensive leader. Trader Jr. enters the 2024 season with draft buzz, but there’s still steady confidence in the new safety tandem. 

TE Dylan Wade

The tight ends have always been integral to Mike Locksley’s offenses and that’ll be no different in 2024 even with the offseason turnover at the position. While Preston Howard has taken strides to step into a TE1 role in 2024, second-year Dylan Wade has showcased everything that made him such a coveted target as a tight end out of high school. His athleticism at 6-foot-2 coupled with his strong hands has helped showcase him as a potential receiving threat in Maryland’s offense, which could loom larger as the offense settles in this fall with a new quarterback under center.

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