Iverson Howard adds value to Maryland's RB room, eyes chance to impress vs. UConn

2 days ago

2 min read

The week one rushing attack was enough to draw optimism after Maryland football ran for 365 yards and six touchdowns en route to a blowout win vs. Hampton. Week two offers the chance at consistency, yet after DeJuan Williams looks to showcase what he can do as a feature back, it also offers a chance for sophomore running back Iverson Howard to build on an expanded role.

The 5-foot-11, 197-pound running back found the endzone for the first time as a Terp after rushing for a career-high 66 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, an encouraging performance weeks after head coach Mike Locksley pointed to the Quince Orchard grad as one capable of helping the offense establish a ground game.

Howard saw time in all 12 games as a true freshman, yet after drawing no more than four carries in all nine conference games, the chance at an increased share of the snaps in 2026 is a “great feeling.”

“I feel like everything got more natural this year,” Howard told IBG. “Obviously new running backs coach, coach [Andre] Powell, he just taught me a lot of things that I didn’t know so it kind of made the game slow down for me.”

The former high three-star pointed to the offseason as a chance to get back to the basics where the physical back worked with Powell to become more elusive.

“Making guys miss, not trying to run through everybody. It's better to make somebody miss,” Howard said of Powell’s message.

Yet the arrival of offensive coordinator Clint Trickett has been able to add a new wrinkle to the offense with Howard mindful that the spread offense helps “everybody gets to touch the football.”

“He knows how to get the ball to his playmakers,” Howard said of Trickett.

“A lot of RPOs you do, where you don't know who's getting the ball and that can confuse the defense, sets us up for bigger plays.”

Though Howard admitted he believed the week one production may have “put a shock on a lot of people’s faces,” that wasn’t the case for the running back room.

“We know what we did this offseason. I feel like it’s going to get better from here on out,” Howard said.

Week two offers the chance at consistency, but for Howard, it also allows the chance to prove himself as a complete back.

“I'm excited because UConn sends a lot of blitzes. I get to show off my pass blocking ability.”

Howard will look for the chance to maintain momentum on the ground ahead of a primetime matchup against Virginia Tech the following week, then shifting attention to conference play. With the chance for Maryland to begin proving themselves in a make-or-break season, Howard relishes the chance to be a part of the solution for his hometown program.

“This is my home. Like I chose to be here for a reason. I’m a Maryland guy,” he said.

“It's a good thing for us to be able to finish with those guys.”

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