Maryland announced that fall camp is set to begin on Friday where we’ll also have preseason media day with the coaching staff. With camp set to begin, I’m keeping an eye on three things this camp.
Backup RB
It’s expected that veteran running back Tayon Fleet-Davis will be the lead back in a room filled with underclassmen. Isaiah Jacobs and Peny Boone return, both full contact, where Jacobs still has an edge with his speed. Boone has done well in the weight room, an area of emphasis coming into the program and is now down 30 pounds from one season ago. That’ll help the big back to play more of a factor in the rotation now that he’s conditioned. Roman Hemby is picking things up as expected and adds a different flare to the offense given the threat he possesses in both the pass and run game. Do I think we see a clear-cut number two this season? I don’t think so, but though unproven, there’s versatility in the backfield to provide a balanced offense. Colby McDonald arrived in shape and will be a speedster in passing situations, while Antwain Littleton enters camp at running back.
ILB Room
Maryland has a pair of returners in Ruben Hyppolite and Fa’Najae Gotay locking down the MIKE and WILL. But freshman Branden Jennings has capitalized on an extra semester with the program and shined in the spring game, while mid-summer arrival Gereme Spraggins is an impact-type signing. Jennings showed he can play at the college level as he continues to acclimate himself to the playbook, but how quickly can Spraggins adapt? He’s been highly spoken of since the Terps first offered him a scholarship and now that he’s here, he gives the room juice that was in question after a pair of transfers this offseason. Maryland has normally gone with a three-deep in-game rotation but the additions give them depth, though unproven.
Lawtez Rogers vs. Demeioun Robinson
The pair will compete at the JACK where Rogers has started to put all his raw traits together into a productive edge rusher. Saw it at times last season, fans got a chance to see Rogers flash during the spring game and he’s riding that momentum into a potential starting opportunity in Week One. But freshman phenom Demeioun Robinson comes in and is as quick, built, and explosive as advertised. As any freshman, he’s still adjusting to the college game, and fall camp will give him the first taste of college ball. How Robinson adjusts with picking up the playbook and applying it at a college speed will be fun to watch, but this could be a battle that goes through the season.
Bonus: Didn’t list it because it’s been mentioned often this offseason, but I’m interested to see which receiver combinations Maryland works with this season. There’s a lot of similarities in the room with guys like Jeshaun Jones, Darryl Jones; Dontay Demus is still the alpha; Rakim Jarrett and Brian Cobbs present a unique blend; still have “Dede” McDougle, Nick DeGennaro, Tai Felton, Dino Tomlin. Of course, there’s only one ball, but a lot of different looks that the offense can work with. Nonetheless, the return of Okonkwo is the cherry on top for the passing attack.
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