Michael Hershey talks offseason development, 2025 offensive line, welding

Ahmed Ghafir
Aug 20, 2025
4 min read

While the quarterback battle has drawn the bulk of the offseason talk for Maryland football, developing both sides of the trenches has been a key focus through fall camp with several new faces stepping into starting roles. While Aliou Bah and Alan Herron are expected to return in their second season as starters, Maryland will also turn to a pair of portal additions – one from this offseason and another from last offseason – in Rahtrel Perry and Isaiah Wright. The lone underclassman? Michael Hershey, who is expected to fill the void left by Josh Kaltenberger at center.

Hershey, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman, appeared in six games as a true freshman where he rotated in at center while learning from Kaltenberger through the 2024 season. The offensive line was among the immediate offseason priorities for the program but Hershey, also a former wrestler, drew buzz as a potential starter before proving exactly that through spring ball. Now heading into his second season with the program, Hershey knows why he feels more comfortable on the field.

“Definitely the playbook. I mean, we're developing a playbook, so like you got, as an offensive center, you gotta know every play, make the calls. So definitely a lot better than it was last year,” he told local media after Tuesday’s practice.

Hershey talks about his transition into a starting role, the 2025 offensive line, welding & more:

On the development of the offensive line

“It's going good. I mean, we're pushing ourselves every day, getting better, so I'm just happy to be out there on the field.”

On building on his freshman season

“I came in young, came in during the summer, so I was three-star, not highly recruited but Coach Locks took a chance on me, so I'm highly grateful for that. I mean, I showed it out in the field effort every day. So yeah, I'm excited for this year.”

On learning from Josh Kaltenberger

“He's an amazing role model. First of all, he puts God first, his family and, like, he was always in the film room showing me stuff. Just nitpicking things. So Josh, like I'm super proud of him and I'm thankful for him.”

On his wrestling background, how it translates to OL

“Everything is leverage, kind of balance. So like, growing up, I wasn't the best at wrestling, but once I got to high school, I started picking things up. So it kind of relate to the field. I mean, keep my hands inside, stay lower, kind of more explosive off the ball.”

How Isaiah Wright leads the OL

“He's been in, day in and day out, helping these guys, supporting him. Like out yesterday we were running a play. I'm like, hey, man, we need more energy. Like, he's always that guy to bring the energy. I can always depend on him. He's reliable, and he's just a great guy.”

On the run game developing under OC Pep Hamilton

“I'm excited too. I mean, we're gonna - you guys are gonna see something special this year.”

On the offensive mindset amid a QB battle

“Just developing guys every day, getting out there, seeing who's the best fit, and we'll go from there. I mean, I'm excited to see who's playing on day one.”

What Hershey has worked to clean up in his game

“It's all fundamentals as an offensive lineman, nitpicking things like technique, footwork, hand placement, pass sets, calls. You just got to be perfect with everything and get better 10% every day.”

On recovering through camp

“The training room offers massages, like cold tub, all types of stuff. It's crazy the opportunities we have here, but you just got to take advantage of that. Get some extra film time in. Coaches always here in the building, like, we have the support, we have the coaches, we have the players. If you take advantage of it, you'll be successful.”

On Saturday’s scrimmage

“We got after it, ran the ball a lot better than the first scrimmage. Defense was hitting us hard. We were hitting them hard. It was just fun, competitive.”

On the RBs

“Guys like them, like, they're always going to be hard. They're always going to be reliable. I can always depend on them. It just starts with the line up front, like we need to get guys off the ball, make holes for them, and they'll be successful this year.”

On working with Damian Wroblewski

“He's very mental. So like, he'll always give us leadership opportunities, give us advice, push us. He's always there for us and he's a great coach, guy to lean on. If you need anything, he's always there so he cares about us, and if you do the right things and give him effort, he'll put the same back into you.”

Fun fact about Michael Hershey that fans wouldn’t expect

“Fun fact is, I actually can ski, I can weld, and I used to ride dirt bikes.

On learning how to weld

“I first learned from my dad. So I'm more from a rural [Pennsylvania]. We grew up on the farm throwing hay bales and stuff. So really just started and I love to build stuff. So I got into woodworking and then went into metal working and then forging.”

On whether he’s a Steelers or Eagles fan

“Neither of them. I'd say Denver Broncos. Why, though, Peyton Manning, so I grew up watching him. A big role model for me.”

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