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Locksley pleased with Terps after second scrimmage, talks confidence in OL, ST improvements

Writer's picture: Ahmed GhafirAhmed Ghafir


With Maryland’s second scrimmage in the books and just two practices left this spring, head coach Mike Locksley was pleased with what he saw out of his team on Saturday.


“I was really pleased with the effort and the enthusiasm that we had in The Shell today. You know, coming off of last week's scrimmage, one of the things that I challenged our team with was whenever we play in The Shell is really important that we understand that we've got played with the right kind of mentality and it starts with the type of enthusiasm we play with and I thought I saw all three phases do some really good things, but I liked the energy that each group played with so good work for that second scrimmage.”


Veteran cornerback Deonte Banks is in the mix for return duties alongside wide receiver Jacob Copeland and running backs Colby McDonald, Roman Hemby, but it was Banks who pulled off a kick return for a touchdown on Saturday. “He has some skill as a runner, you go back and look at his high school tape. He was a running back that played corner, so he's got some skill as a ball carrier. Explosive runner as well so you know between him Roman Hemby who has big top finishing speed and Jacob Copeland you know, we're competing for that position.”


Locksley expressed displeasure with the special team’s unit last week after a blocked punt and missed field goals, but the unit turned it around in the second scrimmage. “We had a couple of punts that we pinned the offense back inside the five-yard line, did a really good job, had a kickoff return for touchdown with the one [kickoff return]. Really pleased with the way our special teams progressed from last week to this week where I was a little disappointed,” Locksley added. “I think all in all, a productive day for us in The Shell.” While adding the defense “did a really good job to add some takeaways” on Saturday, Locksley also added how the Terps’ linebacker room is adjusting and meshing as the staff works to address the pass rush heading into the fall.

Hyppolite returns in year three with the program while Fa’Najae Gotay’s return has replenished some veteran depth inside. “You throw in the two freshmen and then Ahmad McCullough has had a really good spring and he's a versatile guy that plays some inside and outside as does VanDarius Cowan and the flexibility that both those guys give us with being able to play you know, Ahmad is more of a SAM, MIKE, WILL and then VanDarius is more of a JACK and a MIKE and so we're fitting those pieces together.”


Locksley also sees a potential second-year jump out of linebacker Gereme Spraggins.


“Typically, with junior college players as I’ve found the ones, we've been able to recruit here, that second year is when you start to see those guys really make their mark. And you know, “Worm” was a local guy that played really well in the junior college ranks and gave us some good reps and minutes last season. So, you know, that group as a whole, we've been able to create some depth.”


Numbers on the offensive side of the ball are low this spring partly due to injuries as Locksley confirmed neither Jeshaun Jones nor Dontay Demus will be available during next Saturday’s spring game. But that’s paved the way for others like Tai Felton to progress through the first twelve practices as they reap the benefits of additional reps. “We saw [Tai] really come on strong during the middle part of our season and then he had the hamstring and kind of cut him short. So, a guy we've got a high expectation for. He's got real speed. The ability to stretch the field, big time playmaker, you know, coming off of an ACL and in high school and, you know, I think again, you'll continue to see his best football ahead of him.”


Locksley estimated that Maryland had 112 plays in the second scrimmage, but one player that’s now drawn rave reviews from the head man through both contests is wide receiver Jacob Copeland who, according to Locksley, had “a big, big scrimmage for us today.”


“Made a big play, run after catch, which that’s kind of been his MO,” he added. Meanwhile versatile weapon Corey Dyches will primarily line up at tight end this fall but has chipped in as a receiver this spring to help boost immediate receiver depth, but that gives him a chance to progress as a receiving threat. “We moved him back outside with Coach Brewer, which to me helps his development as a receiver and as a receiving tight end which I expect him to become you know that movement H-guy and do some of the things we did with Chig [Okonkwo] kind of like we did last season but I saw both those guys really benefit from the extra reps that they get from due to the injuries.”


But the confidence right now sits in the trenches with all five starters along the offensive line back for the 2022 season, giving Locksley and offensive line coach Brian Braswell a chance to iron out the second unit.


“I can tell you, you know coach [Brian] Braswell has been moving guys all around you know,” Locksley added. Spencer Anderson, Johari Branch and DJ Glaze are among those who have lined up at different positions so far this spring as the staff tweaks and analyzes various rotations, but the rise of DJ Glaze continues to bolster the unit. “The guy who has really come on strong as DJ Glaze who's played both tackle positions and guard. So, we're mixing and matching them in there but the probably the best thing with the spring is just the way our second old line is coming along with a guy like Amelio Moran, who can play tackle, guard. He's had a really good spring. I've been pleased with the development of Max McCree, the JUCO guy that's coming in early. Also been pleased with Aric Harris's development as that second center, and then guys like Ja’Khi Green coming along as well.”


With just two practices remaining, Locksley is simply hoping to see his team walk out of ‘The Shell’ without injuries once next Saturday’s scrimmage is wrapped up, but once again, Locksley is looking forward to putting on “kind of like a commercial for our fans as to what to expect.”


"[Saturday] is a controlled scrimmage, next week will be a game-like environment for our players, coaches off the field. The way I see us setting this thing up and this is how we typically practice, I see one team will be most likely the one offense with the two defense. And then the other team will be the one defense with the two offense so we get a good competitive scrimmage with the ones going against the ones and the twos going against the twos. And then you know we may have a few guys that flip back and forth from you know ones and twos just because we have had some depth issues. But the key for us is getting out of this thing healthy.”


Spring game is set for 12 PM on April 30.


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Full Transcript


Opening statement: “I want to congratulate our women's lacrosse team coach Reese, Kathy Reese and her team winning a Big Ten championship here, just found out as I came off the field, so congrats to coach Reese and the women's lacrosse team and the type of season they're having with lacrosse.


As far as the scrimmage today, you know, as I told the team just now, I was really pleased with the effort and the enthusiasm that we had in The Shell today. You know, coming off of last week's scrimmage, one of the things that I challenged our team with was whenever we play in The Shell is really important that we understand that we've got played with the right kind of mentality and it starts with the type of enthusiasm we play with and I thought I saw all three phases do some really good things, but I liked the energy that each group played with so good work for that second scrimmage. And it's as to be expected. Defensively this week, I thought that they did a really good job to add some takeaways in there. did a really good job, a better job against the run. Our special teams which last week, you know, I commented about us needing to make plays and I saw us take the next step special teams wise with you know, we had a couple of punts that we pinned the offense back inside the five yard line, did a really good job, had a kickoff return for touchdown with the one [kickoff return]. Really pleased with the way our special teams progressed from last week to this week where I was a little disappointed. I think all in all, a productive day for us in The Shell. Some good ebb and flow, I always talk about the ebb and flow of a scrimmage where you want to see all three phases do some good things. Definitely some teachable moments that we'll be able to make some great corrections off in terms of game management stuff with our players, but also just fundamentally and technically some of the things that we'll be able to get corrected as we head into the last week. Excited about being able to play our spring game next Saturday at noon kickoff here in The Shell. It's Maryland Day, so we're hoping campus will be have a lot of people here for the game and come visit our campus and really looking forward to finishing up spring ball the right way.”


On Jeshaun Jones and Dontay Demus: “Jeshaun has been one of the guys that has participated in a limited roll. He had knee surgery there midway through the season, and he will not participate in the spring game, nor will Dontay [Demus]. They're both still recovering. Our goal is to get those guys healthy and ready to play during the season. But it's been great to have Jeshaun out there doing some of the individual work, has progressed and probably a little bit ahead of schedule. But with a veteran receiver like him, we don't want to take any chances want to give him every chance to be completely healthy and it also gives us opportunities to see some of the new guys and younger guys get some reps but neither one of those guys will participate.”


On LB room: “With the inside linebackers, you know, obviously Ruben Hyppolite is pretty much been a two year starter for us. This will be the third year opportunity to go out, he's kind of a veteran now back there. We had for Fa’Najae Gotay back from injury, his experience and his ability. You throw into two freshmen and then Ahmad McCullough has had a really good spring and he's a versatile guy that plays some inside and outside as does VanDarius Cowan and the flexibility that both those guys give us with being able to play you know, Ahmad is more of a SAM, MIKE, WILL and then VanDarius is more of a JACK and a MIKE and so we're fitting those pieces together. Gereme Spraggins, “Worm” continues to take that next step and you know, typically with junior college players as I’ve found the ones we've been able to recruit here, that second year is when you start to see those guys really make their mark. And you know, “Worm” was a local guy that played really well in the junior college ranks and gave us some good reps and minutes last season. So you know, that group as a whole, we've been able to create some depth. They're still a work in progress, but I've been really happy with the way they've been developed and Lance Thompson has done a great job of bringing that group along with the inside guys and then you know coach [James] Thomas working with the outside backers.”


On WR Tai Felton: “If there's been any silver lining and not having guys like Rakim [Jarrett], Jeshaun Jones and [Dontay] Demus out there every practice in terms of repping, it's been a guy like Tai Felton and his development and we saw him really come on strong during the middle part of our season and then he had the hamstring and kind of cut him short. So a guy we've got a high expectation for. He's got real speed. The ability to stretch the field, big time playmaker, you know, coming off of an ACL and in high school and, you know, I think again, you'll continue to see his best football ahead of him but really pleased with the way he's come along and also Corey Dyches. We've done some things with Corey where he's been in a tight end room, but this spring due to our numbers, we moved them back outside with Coach Brewer, which to me helps his development as a receiver and as a receiving tight end which I expect him to become you know that movement H-guy and do some of the things we did with Chig [Okonkwo] kind of like we did last season but I saw both those guys really benefit from the extra reps that they get from due to the injuries. And then, you know, Jacob Copeland as a new guy had a big, big big scrimmage for us today. Made a big play, run after catch, which is what you know, that's kind of been his MO, was his ability after catching the ball and making big plays. So feel good about that group and their development and then when we get these other guys back healthy, that should again be one of the strengths of our team.”


On KOR TD on Saturday: “Deonte Banks took one back. He's been returning kicks since the last season. We had him back there as kind of a backup guy. But he's been one of the guys back there. Roman Hemby has had a pretty good couple of scrimmages back there's as a kickoff return guy along with Jacob Copeland and Colby McDonald. So we've definitely added some depth and some playmakers in our return game with kickoff and punt returners.”


On if someone leads: “I've been really pleased with Deonte. He has some skill as a runner, you go back and look at his high school tape. He was a running back that played corner so he's got some skill as a ball carrier. Explosive runner as well so you know between him Roman Hemby who has big top finishing speed and Jacob Copeland you know, we're competing for that position.”


On OL: “It's pretty settled because we've got five returning guys that have started. The thing we've been able to get accomplished this spring with the lack of depth we've had in the receiver room as we made an emphasis on establishing the run and developing the second offensive line and I can tell you, you know coach [Brian] Braswell has been moving guys all around you know, Spencer Anderson's played left tackle, right tackle, has played some guard for us, we know that he can play center. I think to me, that's the thing that really jumps out about him is his versatility that I think will help him with being evaluated for Sundays next year. Again, you know, Mason Lunsford at left guard, you've seen Johari Branch play center and right guard. The guy who has really come on strong as DJ Glaze who's played both tackle positions and guard. So we're mixing and matching them in there but the probably the best thing with the spring is just the way our second old line is coming along with a guy like Amelio Moran, who can play tackle, guard. He's had a really good spring. I've been pleased with the development of Max McCree, the JUCO guy that's coming in early. Also been pleased with Aric Harris's development as that second center, and then guys like Ja’Khi Green coming along as well.”


On confidence in OL: “Just the depth of it. When you look and see Andre Roye running left tackle with our second team and really, he's done a nice job. I don't want to leave him off either because he's a guy that I see now because of his ability to be in here early, that'll be able to add some depth. Last year I think we played with seven [offensive linemen] throughout the whole game. We're very fortunate that we didn't have the injuries affect us upfront. This year, I think we're like nine or ten deep and the development of that second unit, something that we need as we continue to build this program.”


On final week of spring ball: “As always, our goal in spring is to one figure out as coaches who are playmakers are, and you know, obviously, we've got a bunch of guys that didn't participate 100% of the time here. So it’s given us an opportunity to evaluate, you know, what guys in all three phases have an opportunity or will have a chance to compete and help us next year. The next piece is obviously becoming experts in our system. And, you know, as with all things, every year, we evaluate what we do, we add new wrinkles, we throw things out, we do things based on what our personnel allows us to do and, you know, for us defensively, that was a big, big push for us to take the next step on the defensive side of the ball, with being able to get lined up, be clean in our adjustments and play with the type of discipline and gap discipline that you need to play good defense. I feel like we got that accomplished this spring. We usually give every player as we talk about a prescription of the things they need to do to improve themselves individually. And that's what spring ball is all about and I've seen us improve as a team and we're really pleased with the way the spring has gone.”


On relationship between Taulia and OL: “That's an important component is the relationship. And as I said, and alluded to, in my initial press conference, the two key things for us to take, the next step is how connected and how committed we'll be. And that connection is really, really important with quarterback-offensive line, quarterback-receiver, you know, the quarterback is kind of that centerpiece that has to be connected. And not just on the offensive side, I think also on the defensive side because they got to know and believe that if you get this guy the ball, he's going to do the things necessary to come away with putting points on the board which is the ultimate job of the quarterback. So I've been really happy in terms of the type of relationship I see that has evolved with ‘Lia being here and then you know, the offensive line and the fact that we've got the continuity of five returning starters coming back along with a quarterback for a third straight year so pleased with it.”


On tweaking rosters for spring game: “The spring game for us really, as I told our team, this scrimmage was the most important scrimmage of spring because when we get into the spring game, my goal is to get out of there healthy. Put on kind of a like a commercial for our fans as to what to expect. Obviously, we've got a lot of moving pieces with guys that we expect to become, or to be playmakers for us that aren't out there but it's enough firepower out there for us as coaches to evaluate our players in a game like situation. Today is a controlled scrimmage, next week will be a game-like environment for our players, coaches off the field. The way I see us setting this thing up and this is how we typically practice, I see one team will be most likely the one offense with the two defense. And then the other team will be the one defense with the two offense so we get a good competitive scrimmage with the ones going against the ones and the twos going against the twos. And then you know we may have a few guys that flip back and forth from you know ones and twos just because we have had some depth issues. But the key for us is getting out of this thing healthy. You know, I see us using a running clock in the second and fourth quarter so it's gonna happen fast. As I told our players, this was a big scrimmage. I think we had 112 plays in today's scrimmage, which is you know, a game and a half for us. And we have some really good work today and I was pleased with us coming out of it.”

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