Maryland is just over one week and one scrimmage into fall camp as the Terps are set to kick off a pivotal season under head coach Mike Locksley. Maryland returns 85% of their production from last season, the most production of any team in the Big Ten, as Maryland fans will see plenty of familiar names in the starting lineup and two deep. But which Terps are in line for breakout seasons? We take a look at five names heading into the 2021 season.
LB Ruben Hyppolite
Maryland will replace both starting linebackers from one season ago as Hyppolite, a former four-star prospect, is in line to claim the starting MIKE position. The 6-foot-1 inside linebacker brings a mean streak and tireless work ethic to the defense heading into year two and the tenacity that he plays with has not gone unnoticed through the opening week of camp. Ruben was among the defensive standouts from Saturday’s scrimmage as the defense had the better day compared to the offense, it was another strong showing from the second-year linebacker. “You know, we played Ruben Hyppolite last year about 20 plays, 25 plays a game, as much as we could. And it took some reps off of some of the other starters when you do that, but now it affords us the opportunity that Ruben isn't a freshman this year because he's got enough game experience," head coach Mike Locksley said after Saturday’s scrimmage. Hyppolite has the position all but locked up and has the traits and mentality to not only be the imposing linebacker that the defense needs, but a defensive leader for his teammates.
SAF Jordan Mosley
There was a possibility that Mosley and second-year safety Beau Brade were in a position battle heading into spring ball, but the development from Mosley has been evident as he works with first-year safety coach Brian Stewart. Mosley was the MVP of the Terps’ spring game and has built off a strong spring to reclaim the starting safety job alongside Nick Cross, adding to the confidence in the backline. Mosley previously struggled with taking the right angles and tracking the ball in the air, but in both categories, the buzz is he’s shown noticeable improvement from 2021 heading into camp. If Mosley can make the same type of junior-to-senior year development like former Terp Josh Woods once made, the secondary can take an even bigger step forward compared to last season.
TE Corey Dyches
The return of Okonkwo gives the Terps an established target in the passing game, but don’t sleep on Dyches. The natural athleticism in space was evident during the spring game and with Maryland rolling two tight ends in some packages, the opportunities could be there for Dyches to carve himself a niche in the room. Dyches and freshman tight end Weston Wolff provide a similar type of skillset with the length, bounce, and soft hands they both possess but Dyches’ physical form could be what gets him on the field in 2021. The former All-Met selection can win the one-on-one balls and is a real downfield threat. Okonkwo is the clear alpha dog in the room but with the length that Dyches brings to the room, he’ll have an opportunity to make himself available and begin building his profile this season.
WR Jeshaun Jones
The buzz surrounding Maryland’s wide receiver room has carried the optimism for what could be of Maryland’s offense in 2021. Dontay Demus returns to give the unit an NFL-caliber wide receiver and will draw the attention from opposing defenses, which could open up more targets for Maryland’s other receivers. The receiver with the most to gain could be Jeshaun Jones, a fourth-year receiver, who appeared in four of Maryland’s games last fall after missing the 2019 season due to a torn ACL. The same Jeshaun Jones that scored a touchdown on each of his first three collegiate touches, the former three-star prospect enters the season fully cleared and healthy with a real opportunity to break through this season with the. Maryland doesn’t need a clear-cut number two target in the room, but Jones could be that with the threat he possesses both over the top and across the middle of the field. I’m expecting Jones as one of the three starting receivers this season as he’s taken a noticeable step with his route tree and creating separation. Maryland also returns second-year receiver Rakim Jarrett, who has been among the most consistent Terps through camp, but Jones has the length to win the one-on-one battles downfield and has built a tight rapport with Tagovailoa through the offseason.
RB Peny Boone
Senior Tayon Fleet-Davis returns this fall where I’m still expecting him to be the opening day starter for the unit, but the transformation of Peny Boone this offseason has only added to the fierce competition in the running back room. After moving onto campus last summer, Boone checked in north of 260 pounds but is down 30 pounds heading into this season to improve his athleticism and agility. Buzz has pointed to a more versatile Boone, who was known in high school for making big plays with his hands out of the backfield. Boone’s improved physical shape has bolstered his odds of garnering reps this season and while the team will still lean on one more scrimmage and a handful more practices to iron out the rotation, Boone is in line for his share of reps. Second-year running back Isaiah Jacobs returns to the unit and had a strong spring camp where he was able to show off his quick twitch out of the backfield, but the size that Boone brings to the room differentiates him from the competition. While Boone can play a role in the passing game, Boone’s frame allows Maryland to build goal-line packages with him given the frame and strength the former three-star brings. Unlike last season, Maryland’s 2021 rushing attack will take a committee approach heading into the season but Boone’s development has helped entrench him within that committee.
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