'22 signees becoming frequent visitors in College Park with enrollment looming

Maryland has enjoyed the five enrollees from the 2022 class on campus this spring as they’ve benefitted from the extra time on campus thus far, but the staff has given the rest of the 2022 signees an open invitation to make their way to campus to get a close look at spring practice.

Wise (MD) quarterback Jayden Sauray added he’s “probably only missed three practices” being just thirty minutes from College Park and appreciates the opportunity to be as close to the program as possible prior to enrolling. “Just seeing everything that will help me there so it’s been great,” Sauray told Inside the Black and Gold. "Being there for myself. I know I can’t do anything physical but I know I’m there mentally.”

Like Sauray, Smyrna (DE) four-star quarterback Cam Edge has been able to sit in Maryland’s quarterback meetings to dissect offensive coordinator Dan Enos and his film sessions. “It’s been amazing. Coach Enos is a great coach and does a good job explaining the offense and breaking it down into great detail,” Edge added. Sauray is among the several signees that are taking notes during meetings as he’s soaking in all the new terminology.

“When he’s talking to Taulia [Tagovailoa], I’m right there listening in. He asks me questions one-on-one when they’re doing drills but not much one-on-one stuff because he still has his team to coach,” Sauray added. “Dan Enos does a great job of the offense. This offense is very QB-friendly. I feel like I’m going to grow a lot here. Even with the mental reps, I feel like I got better just observing and asking questions.”

Manchester (VA) four-star running back Ramon Brown is another frequent visitor who was able to connect with running backs coach Elijah Brooks following practice back on April 12, but he’s been able to get a jump on things too. “Before spring practice started we were doing Zoom calls just learning the basics of the offense. Sometimes I’ll ask questions to [Elijah] Brooks and the other running backs to make sure I have everything correct in my notes,” the four-star told Inside the Black and Gold. Getting to campus has its own added benefit, though. “Just being able to be in the meeting room taking notes and learning from my position coach and the other [running backs] helps out a lot and is preparing me for when I report in June.”

Benedictine (VA) towering receiver Leon Haughton originally signed with the program when lead recruiter Zohn Burden was on staff, but he’s since adjusted to Gunter Brewer as his new future position coach and is immersing himself in the playbook. “Maryland sent me the team playbook back in February and I’ve been studying it ever since. It also helped seeing the plays whenever I watch their practice in person because it helped me get a visual representation of the playbook which has given a better understanding of their schemes and concepts.”

Calvert Hall (MD) edge rusher Daniel Owens will join the program as a JACK linebacker this fall and added he was on campus nearly every day last week, where he’s working diligently to be comfortable at his position on day one.

“It was very helpful in getting a baseline familiarity with the calls. In no way am I a master just yet, but it definitely helped a lot to be around the guys and in the meetings. I was able to float between the outside linebacker group with coach [James Thomas] and the defensive line with coach [Brian] Williams at practice so I was able to see most of everything. The energy at practice was great and I feel as though move-in day can’t come soon enough.”

Head coach Mike Locksley has been transparent that Maryland’s practices leading up to the Pinstripe Bowl served as the start of the 2022 season and praised the early enrollees for their effort leading up to spring ball. “There's no doubt that the early enrollees that have showed up here, late January have really put in a lot of work, they've kept their mouth shut, they haven't come in and tried to do a bunch of talking. They all have really bought into, you know, the locker room that we've established already, but you can tell that these guys have some natural leadership skills that will benefit us in the long run.”

While fans await the last wave of reinforcements to join the program in June, the 2022 signees are looking ahead to the next phase of their playing careers.

“It’s been great just meeting people, seeing my future staff, my future teammates, training staff,” Sauray told Inside the Black and Gold.

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