The preseason watch lists continue to be released as quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and running back Roman Hemby add another layer to their preseason buzz heading into the 2023 season. Tagovailoa was selected to the Davey O’Brien Award Watch List on Tuesday, marking the second consecutive season that Taulia had been named to the watch list. Tagovailoa was also named to the Maxwell Award Watch List last week and holds nearly every passing program record, whether it’s single-season or all-time, as he prepares for his fourth season as the starting quarterback under head coach Mike Locksley. Tagovailoa’s returning leadership and experience is why the bar has been raised by both Locksley and the players heading into fall camp. "I think that was the biggest goal. I think the past couple years we were in the process of it," Taulia Tagovailoa added. "We've got to be honest with ourselves and look at reality and I think now, we're at that point where we can compete for championships and we can win a Big Ten championship. I think all the hard work and the years leading up to now is what brought us to the place where we are right now and that's how we feel." Running back Roman Hemby, meanwhile, was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, awarded to the nation’s top running back. Hemby is coming off a redshirt freshman season where he finished top six in the Big Ten in rushing yards (ten) and yards per carry (5.26) while his 989 rushing yards were the second-most ever by a Maryland freshman. His 1,287 yards from scrimmage was good for third-best among FBS freshmen and his week three performance vs. SMU made him the first Terrapin in 25 years to post at least 150 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards in one game. The Edgewood native steps into a feature role once again this fall after drawing preseason buzz among the best running backs in the Big Ten. “There's a couple of a couple areas in Roman’s game that I think he'll be the first to tell you that we want to see is the one-on-one miss, making the last guy miss. Because there were a couple of rooms where you know, there's one guy left to the defense and you know what, we can't block all eleven If you're carrying it. So one guy you're responsible for. And I know coach Scott has really worked hard with Roman to that third level, second level, the winning in space and Roman is the type of guy that when you tell him he needs to improve on something, he's going to do the work. Smart, tough, reliable. Our expectations for us to build on the type of season he had a year ago. The thing I think that's really showing itself a Roman is his leadership. Not a big talker, but the people in that locker room respect his work ethic and when he talks, people listen.” Related Links
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