Maryland has managed to avoid season-ending injuries through the first half of the 2022 season and will look to get one former starter back on the field this weekend. Head coach Mike Locksley said that linebacker Ruben Hyppolite will test his ankle pregame and he remains a game-time decision versus Purdue.
“Just see how he’s running around but it was good to see him out there this week,” Locksley added on Thursday.
Despite being listed as a starter ahead of each contest, Hyppolite has missed the last two games with an ankle injury after going down in the first series of the SMU win. After finishing third on the team with 62 tackles last season while adding two pass breakups and one forced fumble, Hyppolite recorded four tackles against both Charlotte and SMU and is up to ten tackles and one pass breakup this fall.
Maryland has been able to fill the void inside and started both true freshmen Caleb Wheatland and Jaishawn Barham in last week’s home win versus Michigan State. Barham, a former four-star prospect out of St. Frances, has generated the fourth-most tackles of any FBS freshman and has started every game this season. While Saturday marked the first career start for Wheatland, Barham became the first Maryland true freshman to record 12 tackles in a game since D’Qwell Jackson did it in 2002. Maryland also returns Fa’Najae Gotay and Gereme Spraggins this season where both have played ample snaps inside, while veteran Ahmad McCullough has flashed inside.
Locksley admitted he was pleased with his linebacker rotations following the 34-27 win over SMU as inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson has upgraded the unit from a coaching perspective. “Best thing for us to happen is we play a lot of players on defense. Obviously when you lose a leader and production that Ruben brings to the table, it was good to see Ahmad [McCullough] make plays, Fa’Najae [Gotay] coming off of his injury played a lot more players. Jaishawn Barham, the freshman, has really grown up and having to grow up fast and even Gereme Spraggins came in.”
Kickoff is set for noon EST inside SECU Stadium on Friday.
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