Maryland adds specialist…Friday morning kicked off with a new commitment in the 2023 class after IMG Academy (FL) kicker Roman Levant announced his pledge. Levant, a 4.5 star kicker according to Kohl’s Kicking, joins the class as a preferred walk-on. Maryland will be tasked with replacing grad transfer Chad Ryland this offseason and Levant helps fill that role. With outside linebacker coach James Thomas leading the way, Kohl’s added “he scored 25 points in the field goal charting and scored a 107.55 on his kickoffs. His punting was above average and he displayed improvement in his technique and his consistency. Levant attended a Showcase in May of 2021. He is one of our top five kickers in the country. His leg strength and coordination was obvious during the drill work phase of camp. He was easily competing against older players.”
100% COMMITTED‼️#big10 #terps@TerpsFootball @coachjthomas11 @CoachLocks @_thebillymiller @IMGAFootball @Kix64 @njpuntingcoach @Chris_Sailer pic.twitter.com/hOKMD3G2At
— Roman Levant (@RomanLevant17) October 7, 2022
Praise for Reese…shortly after Jahmir Young was named one of the 20 under-the-radar transfers heading into the 2022-23 season, Jon Rothstein included forward Julian Reese among his 20 potential breakout candidates this year. “Kevin Willard is one of the best player development coaches in college basketball. That bodes well for the 6-9 Reese, who averaged 5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds as a freshman. Under Willard, Reese has All-Big Ten caliber potential. Expect a significant jump this season,” Rothstein wrote. The sophomore starter will be heavily relied on with him and Donta Scott leading the frontcourt once more with little proven depth behind him. Maryland will get an opportunity to further assess the frontcourt in a pair of “secret” scrimmages ahead of the November 7 opener vs. Niagara. According to Jeff Goodman, Maryland will face Virginia on October 22 then Villanova on October 29.
Spread still -3 heading into kickoff…the line has remained largely unchanged throughout the week with Maryland sticking as a three-point favorite with the over/under set at 59 heading into Saturday. Maryland enters the matchup ninth in the nation in yards per play (7.16) and has averaged at least 4.9 yards per carry in every game this season. They’ll hope the high-powered offense can outlast Purdue and quarterback Aidan O’Connell on Saturday, while the secondary will have its hands full with receiver Charlie Jones. The former Iowa receiver enters Saturday leading the Big Ten in receptions (47), yards (588) and touchdowns (seven).
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