Since putting pen to paper back in December, Spring Grove (PA) athlete Michael Hershey has enjoyed a successful spring.
After being named the lone YAIAA player named to the Big 33 game set at Cumberland Valley HS on May 26, Hershey went on to win his first District 3 heavyweight final after entering the matchup on a 17-match pin streak. The win in the finals came after picking up his 100th career victory in the district semifinals the week prior. After placing seventh one year prior, Hershey ended his high school wrestling career placing fourth in the PIAA Wrestling State Championships.
After entering full offseason mode and enjoying the final months of his senior year, Hershey has been a repeat visitor in College Park where he’s started to acclimate himself to the pace of the program. The Pennsylvania lineman won’t enroll until June 15 as he looks ahead to putting the pads on for the first time, but until then, Hershey and Mike McMonigle have made the near two-hour drive to campus for several practices to begin picking up the Terps’ system and playbook. Hershey will be back on campus for Thursday’s practice in what he expects will be his final visit before he enrolls.
.@SGASD_Athletics' @michaelhersh24 knew a little early that he had made Team Pennsylvania in the @psfcabig33. But all of @SGSchoolNews is happy to have one of their own in the game. @YAscores @TerpsFootball – FULL @fox43 Story: https://t.co/WeYcDw2I6O pic.twitter.com/noDRbbEpIp
— Alex Cawley (@Cawley_TV) March 18, 2024
“I’m coming down to Maryland for my physical [on Thursday],” Hershey told IBG. “I’ve been sitting in meetings, looking to get some plays and drills here soon so it’s going along, coming quicker than I thought it would.”
Hershey is already familiar with his position coach, Brian Braswell, having worked with him inside Jones-Hill House last June, a workout that set the stage for his official visit just days later. Maryland has hired a second offensive line coach in Damian Wroblewski since then, a coach that Hershey was already familiar with during his recruiting process.
“I love coach Bras and I’m very happy they brought coach Wrobo, the coach from [James Madison]. I loved that they brought him in and they’ve been helping, talking with me so I think we’ll get along well and we’ll work out good,” Hershey added. “I met him twice when I went to James Madison. We definitely respect each other. He liked me as a player at James Madison so I’m sure he sure he loves me even more now that he’s at Maryland and I’m going there to work there. He and coach Bras have a good thing going on so I think good things are going to happen this year.”
Now standing at 6-foot-4, 275-pounds, Hershey is looking to add at least five more pounds before he enrolls in College Park.
“Maybe not hitting 285 but somewhere around 280 would be good,” Hershey said. “I’m just trying to constantly work every day, get in the weight room, work on my speed and conditioning so definitely pushing that every day to make sure I’m fit, make sure I’m ready. I’m hoping to get some plays so I can study that. I don’t think it’ll be as hard to pick up the footwork as hard as it will be to understand what you’re doing out there on the field. As soon as I pick that up, get things rolling, the quicker I’ll be on the field playing.”
Michael Hershey signed with Maryland over Charlotte, Yale and Delaware and is rated a three-star prospect and 87 overall by On3.
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