For the second consecutive season, Billy Edwards Jr. will likely take the first snap under center in Maryland’s bowl game when the Terps take on Auburn in the Music City Bowl next Saturday, Dec. 30. Only this time, Edwards will provide a larger sample size for the staff to evaluate as head coach Mike Locksley analyzes his options ahead of the quarterback competition in the spring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u6-oU344ew “I think all year I've just tried to prepare the right way. I think that was what I learned a lot my first year, having to go into some of those games, just to prepare the right way. And then obviously if my opportunity comes and my name is called to take advantage of it,” Edwards said this week. “Obviously this is a little bit different than the opportunities I've had here in the past two years. I'll have two weeks to prepare more than a couple seconds in some of those games, but just to try to prepare the right way and then obviously if you prepare the right way, I can go in there with a lot more confidence and just have fun and play.” The connection that Edwards shared with Taulia Tagovailoa was one that could’ve turned competitive early, but Edwards recalled one of his first practices to illustrate the beginning of their relationship. “Definitely in college football nowadays, that's I think something that's probably not as real as you may think, but I think I give him a lot of credit for when I came in, he kind of took me under his wing. I remember it was probably my third or fourth fall camp practice last year, my first year here. And I was having a rough day and he kind of took me, put his arm around me. He was like, ‘you're good, man.’” Two years later, Tagovailoa and Edwards watched their on-field rapport blossom into a friendship, even becoming roommates during hotel check-ins the night before gameday. “He would come in there, he'd be like, ‘play me a song’ and I would set the vibe for the night and see,” Edwards added. “I think I was probably like, 11 for 12 hitting the right genre of music for the night.” “So we obviously had a lot of deep talks, a lot of good conversations and we got a bond that'll last a lot longer than we've been teammates for.” In 2023, Edwards was able to showcase himself in a different light as Maryland trotted out its own version of the Philly ‘tush push,’ finding success in the final two regular season games with five total touchdowns. His three touchdowns against Michigan made him the third player to record three rushing touchdowns on four or fewer carries over the past 25 seasons, but Edwards doesn’t foresee Maryland’s scheme changing with him under center. “How I've been used this year, I'm a bigger bodied guy, so I'm sure they'll try to run me a little bit more, but I like to think the scheme overall doesn't change too much and we'll be able to pretty much run everything we've had all year.” As a pocket passer, Edwards has shown flashes as he enters the Music City Bowl with a 56.5% completion percentage, three touchdown passes and an interception in 14 appearances. After transferring in from Wake Forest ahead of the 2022 season, his first signature moment at Maryland came in relief of Tagovailoa on the road against Indiana with Maryland trailing, 27-24, until Edwards Jr. led a game-winning drive. One week later, he led Maryland to a 31-24 win vs. Northwestern after posting 166 passing yards. While Edwards will have a chance to showcase his improved skillset as a passer against Auburn, head coach Mike Locksley dismissed a potential shakeup in the Terps’ offensive identity. “We see him every day of practice. Usually, he takes about 40% of the reps as the backup with the starter, at the time taking 60% so he’s got a lot of bank reps, a lot of bank experience that has shown us that he’s capable of operating our stuff. He still has a bunch of the weapons available to him on the outside with Prather, Tai Felton, Jeshaun Jones, the run game. The line is pretty much intact. He has enough weapons I think that will allow him to operate our stuff.” Of course, Edwards won’t be the only expected quarterback with Cam Edge battling for the backup spot all season as Locksley said, “I think you’ll see both of them in the game.” “I think he’s probably the youngest in the quarterback room. I think we’ve made some jokes about that,” Edwards added. “With any younger guy, obviously being considered an older guy in the room, I just think back to myself especially my freshman year at Wake Forest and when I first got here, how much growth I’ve made since being a freshman at college football. And obviously this being the second year, he’s made a lot of growth, a lot of strides. If he gets his opportunity Saturday, I know he’ll take advantage of it too just as I would.” With days until kickoff, Billy Edwards will be among the quarterbacks looking to guide the Terrapins to their third consecutive bowl win. “I'll have my cowboy hat ready. I'll be ready.” Kickoff is set for 2 PM EST on Saturday. Related Links
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