After reviewing Maryland football’s wide receivers and offensive line, we take a look at the tight end and running back rooms heading into spring ball, which is set to begin on March 26.
Spring TE room
rSO Leron Husbands
rSO Preston Howard
SO AJ Syzmanski
SO Dylan Wade
Where they stand
Gone are Corey Dyches (uncommitted) and Rico Walker (Auburn) after the duo opted to hit the transfer portal following the regular season, but the confidence in the room remains as high as it was last year. The 2023 season gave Dyches a chance to shine at tight end, but it also gave the fanbase a chance to get a glimpse into the future with Preston Howard appearing in all 13 games, posting 13 catches for 160 yards while his touchdown in the Music City Bowl was a special one as it marked the first receiving touchdown from Howard and first passing touchdown from QB Cam Edge. He leads the room as the dynamic receiving threat in the room with Dylan Wade right behind him, who emerged as a bright piece in the room. Wade’s frame and athleticism makes him a prototypical fit at the position where he can thrive as a receiving threat in the open field as the 2024 chance gives him a chance to slide into the role that Howard filled in 2023.
Leron Husbands, who had his medical waiver approved to retain his season of eligibility, is back in College Park as he looks to step up and carve a role as a blocking tight end. That’s also the role that second-year TE AJ Syzmanski has proven capable of filling after routinely being credited by head coach Mike Locksley as an up-and-coming blocking tight end. Excelling as the unit’s blocking tight end is the key for Szymanski in 2024, but adding that to the room from the portal remains in play. Former Michigan TE Matthew Hibner took a brief unofficial visit to Maryland back in January and is expected to return to campus again once spring ball kicks off as the Virginia native would be a perfect fit to the room. There’s long been confidence in the potential for the tight end room as they’re expected to remain a focal point of the passing attack, but bolstering its blocking options remains the biggest item on the to-do list as Maryland is once again tasked with rebuilding the trenches in 2024.
Spring RB room
SR Colby McDonald
rJR Roman Hemby
rFR Nolan Ray
FR DeJuan Williams
Where they stand
Antwain Littleton departed this offseason due to NIL demands, only to land at Temple, while former four-star Ramon Brown struggled with eligibility during his time at Maryland and remains in the transfer portal looking for a new home in 2024. Roman Hemby turned down opportunities to suit up elsewhere in 2024 and is back to lead the running back once more, while Colby McDonald earned true vet status as the lone senior in the current room to complement Hemby. Behind the upperclassman duo, Maryland will turn to unproven pieces to ignite its rushing attack.
Injuries derailed Nolan Ray’s freshman season, but he’ll serve as another speedster in the room who Maryland will look to get the ball in space. As for DeJuan Williams, a former four-star out of St. Frances, he’s inching closer toward full health after suffering a season-ending injury that derailed his senior season. Williams is still expected to be available during spring ball in at least a limited capacity as he’s been back on the field during offseason workouts, but the run game all starts with Hemby and McDonald.
Making defenders miss in the second level remains a point of development for Hemby as he looks to solidify himself as at least a day two 2025 NFL Draft prospect, but all eyes are on the offensive line to take a step forward this season as improving run blocking was a point of emphasis following the 2023 season. With a new quarterback under center this fall, Hemby will get a chance to showcase himself once again as a do-it-all back with McDonald capitalizing in short-yardage situations.
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