Safety Jalen Huskey "eager" to kick off senior season, TE Dorian Fleming sees "weapons" in new-look Maryland offense

jmcconn3
Aug 27
3 min read

Maryland football will open up the 2025-26 season Saturday, August 30, with a kickoff time booked for noon against Florida Atlantic University (FAU) at home, debuting a preview of the season opener with a press conference from players Jalen Huskey and Dorian Fleming.

Jalen Huskey, the senior defensive back for the Terps, is entering his second season with the team, looking to make another splash this year. Huskey racked up 45 total tackles and 21 solo tackles last season, he has no plans of slowing down.

"I'm extremely eager," Huskey said. "I think we have all the tools and everything that's necessary to have that type of winning season here and I think the first game is just igniting the fire, igniting the flame of what it means to have a great season here."

The senior enters his second year with the program as the leader of a revamped secondary alongside portal cornerbacks Dontay Joyner and Jamare Glasker.

"I think we were able to iron out the communication errors that we had in the past and we've all bought in on being an exceptional secondary. I think all the things we've done off the field have translated on the field," Huskey added.

But there's also a sense of pride for Huskey as the leader of the defense as he looks to extend the program's streak of five consecutive years of at least one defensive back drafted into the NFL.

"I think it's an exceptional opportunity just to be a defensive back here at the University of Maryland. Every single person in the defensive back room doesn't take it lightly and doesn't take it for granted what it means to be a defensive back at the University of Maryland. There's a bunch of NFL players that have come from here and everybody here wants to be the next one."

Huskey has high hopes out the gate of the first week, hoping to show everyone a little preview of what this new Terps team can be capable of this season.

"On Saturday, we'll just show how connected we are, how disciplined we are, and how consistent we will be for the whole entire season." Huskey said.

On the flip side of the ball, the Terps brought in Dorian Fleming, a redshirt sophmore tight end from Georgia State, who will experience his first season with the team and eventually his first encounter with Big Ten play.

Fleming is coming off an impressive freshman year with the Panthers, racking up 49 receptions, 558 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

During the press conference, Fleming talked about his goals and improvements for what he has mapped out for the upcoming season.

"My team goal is to win, every week I want to go out and win, and my personal goal I just want to stay healthy and have a great season," Fleming said. "I feel like my biggest improvement to this year would be my availability in the trenches as far as blocking, being an all-around player, not just being able to catch the ball but being able to finish blocks, control the C gap, and do my job in that area as well."

While head coach Mike Locksley reiterated the starting quarterback decision remains "in-house" ahead of Saturday's opener, Fleming sees the potential of the 2025 passing attack with new and veteran pieces looking to become impact players. "I feel like we got weapons all around the field. I feel like anybody can make a play at any time and I feel like that's what makes us explosive."

The Terps look to get off to a hot start, looking to extend their season opener win streak to 15 this Saturday against the Owls.

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