The first priority remains in the trenches where Maryland will look to solidify what looks to be its starting five for 2024. With three portal additions filling a pair of interior spots and one tackle spot, along with Kyle Long capable of competing for one of the starting roles, the need became clear when DJ Glaze accepted his Reese’s Senior Bowl invite over the weekend. Targets along the line will come into focus during the next wave of portal entries following the bowl games. On the other side of the line, Maryland returns a handful of experienced pieces with Tommy Akingbesote, Taizse Johnson and Jordan Phillips all expected back while freshmen Dillan Fontus and Lavon Johnson were able to step into the rotation through conference play. Finding someone at end has been the focus, though, as the staff hosted former Central Michigan DL Quindario Lee the weekend of Dec. 15 before he signed with Minnesota last week. Maryland hasn’t wasted time uncovering new targets, though, with both Albany DE Anton Juncaj and Colorado St. DE Grady Kelly picking up offers ahead of the January visit period. Another position that Maryland hosted a target this month before committing elsewhere, securing another cornerback is another focus on the defensive side of the ball as Jalen Huskey is more than capable of locking down one starting spot. While more portal targets will emerge, Maryland will also have a chance to utilize the bowl game to assess the current core of underclassmen while Lionell Whitaker is able to showcase himself as a dependable cornerback in the rotation. While Maryland will look to find an experienced corner, another local high school target surfaced when St. Frances (MD) three-star cornerback Kevyn Humes announced he's reclassifying to 2024 with a pair of official visits set. After signing four high school corners this cycle, I don’t expect Maryland to be a player for Humes heading into January. Elsewhere, finding another tight end will be a focus after former Baylor TE Drake Dabney committed to TCU over Maryland and Washington. What was once a deep room has since thinned out as the running back room saw a pair depart with Antwain Littleton becoming the latest to leave the program. While it was Littleton’s choice to depart citing NIL, the Terps could add to the backfield while they likely stand pat at wideout with so many young pieces. At running back, Nolan Ray provides another change-of-pace depth back, though he wasn’t at practice during the open portion of last week’s practice. DeJuan Williams recovers from his ACL injury that derailed his senior season. Adding a complimentary big back would be the focus with the bowl game giving Colby McDonald a deserving chance to shine. It’s more likely than not than LB Ruben Hyppolite is back for another year, softening the blow to potential depth at inside linebacker, while Glen Miller and Dante Trader Jr. give the safety room a pair of starters to work with. It won’t be long before Maryland begins moving the needle on its targets with visits set to resume in the new year. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Dq3JZnhHg4djlEoSF19yl?si=JwoDPTXgRye9hDhf1lj7wQ Related Links
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