A pair of veterans in safety Dante Trader Jr. and running back Roman Hemby were recognized in preseason watch lists heading into the 2024 season.
Trader was recognized on the 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, it was announced last week, as one of the most meaningful awards in college football. The Wuerffel Trophy recognizes student-athletes inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. This marks the second consecutive season that Trader was named to the watch list, while he was also selected as an AFCA Good Works Team Nominee earlier this offseason. The co-host of One Speed Podcast, Trader organized and led the One Speed Backpack Drive last year that raised over $10,000 and supplied over 200 fully loaded backpacks for J.C. Nalle Elementary School.
Hemby became a two-time nominee for the 2024 Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding running back in college football. Hemby is also a two-time All-Big Ten selection after posting nearly 2,400 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns during his career.
Hemby has also eclipsed 100 rushing yards in six different games during his career, while he stood third among FBS freshmen in yards from scrimmage (1,287) and finished with the second-most rushing touchdowns ever by a Maryland freshman (10).
Hemby is expected to lead a resurging rushing attack for Maryland into 2024, while offensive coordinator Josh Gattis pointed to second-year running back Nolan Ray as another expected to have a big role.
“There’s a young guy that’s gonna create quite a wave on our team. And Nolan Ray is a young guy [who] redshirted last year. Tremendous talent, super, really good kid and just super talented, just fast. So we’re excited to continue to see him grow and give him opportunities as well,” Gattis said on Monday.
Maryland opens the season against UConn on Saturday, August 31.
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