Back on the field, Maryland football WR pledge Myles McAfee praised for his work ethic

Ahmed Ghafir
9 minutes ago
3 min read

Friday night marked the first time that Spalding (Md.) four-star wide receiver Myles McAfee suited up in a scrimmage and was able to be tackled since suffering the leg injury that derailed nearly the entirety of his junior season.

Now, Spalding will shift their attention to the regular season opener at DeMatha next weekend, but the chance to be back out on the field at full strength in a game setting marked a milestone in his recovery as McAfee admitted, "it felt good."

While McAfee looks to accomplish the feat of ending his high school career as a three-time MIAA champion, he'll do so under a new coaching staff. After Kyle Schmitt stepped down after 13 seasons as head coach to become the next tight ends coach at Maryland, Spalding turned to former Navy assistant R.B. Green to fill his shoes. It didn't take Green long to become familiar with what to expect out of McAfee.

"It’s great when your best player is also your hardest working player. He’s our hardest working guy. Pre-practice, post-practice, he gets special work in. I’ve never seen anyone that hungry except for those elite guys, the special guys that go on to the next level and do special things. He’s one of those guys. He’s got that pedigree," he told IBG.

Torrey Smith, who starred at the University of Maryland star before winning two Super Bowls during his eight-year NFL career, noticed a similar drive from McAfee. In addition to growing buzz that the four-star could be next up at Spalding, McAfee became an impact piece on Level 82, Smith's 7-on-7 program, during his high school career. That relationship grew through with Smith becoming a mentor for McAfee ahead of his senior year as the former NFL wide receiver praised the rising senior's work ethic.

"It’s always been in him. Ever since I’ve known him. It came from his dad, his dad worked his tail off. There’s times where I see him work out, then come back, then he’s out on the field doing extra stuff after he’s already been here. He doesn’t need anyone to motivate him which is very rare for a younger player. He does so much on his own that you literally have to tell him to slow down so he can recover, so he just has a different work ethic."

While Spalding's run game had consistent success all night, McAfee was able to routinely create separation outside in his limited reps and nearly connected on a pair of deep throws for touchdowns, while also showcasing his willingness as a blocking receiver. Smith pointed to McAfee's "craftiness and route running" as a strength of the local product.

"He’s been able to bounce back at an extremely high level, not even a year removed from [his injury], a testament to his work ethic. Gets out of his breaks clean. His speed gets better and better every week," Smith added.

Though Smith also noted McAfee is the "hardest working kid I’ve ever been around," McAfee also enters his senior season with something to prove to only himself.

“I just want to get better each and every day,” McAfee added. “Just keep getting better by myself every day.”

With a chance to cement himself as a top weapon on another loaded Spalding roster, McAfee also enters the fall with no second guesses about his recruitment. The local four-star went public with his commitment to Maryland over Virginia Tech back on July 6, roughly two weeks after arriving in College Park for his official visit. While he eyes the chance at visiting College Park for the season opener against Hampton on Sept. 5, McAfee knows he's "definitely" visiting for the week three non-conference finale vs. Virginia Tech while he is eligible to enroll in January.

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