It was a soggy day in College Park, which forced the Terps to move spring practice from the usual practice fields on campus to the field in Maryland Stadium. But eventually the sun came out and we were able to comfortably watch the second spring practice that was open to the media.
Seemed to be a lot more 11-on-11 today than in last week’s practice, which could have been the result of only having one field to practice on as opposed to the normal three. There were also more special teams drills than the other day.
Still not able to gain much depth chart clarity because of the mixing and matching of personnel on both sides of the ball, but there are certainly individual players that are standing out.
Here are some observations from today’s practice:
“Jalen Brooks has put together his best seven practices since I’ve been here," Durkin said. "He’s doing a phenomenal job. Jalen’s a guy we’ve used outside, sometimes at the SAM, sometimes inside at the WILL, and we’ll continue to do that. But he’s making his case for a guy that needs to be out there playing, as well.”
Seemed to be a lot more 11-on-11 today than in last week’s practice, which could have been the result of only having one field to practice on as opposed to the normal three. There were also more special teams drills than the other day.
Still not able to gain much depth chart clarity because of the mixing and matching of personnel on both sides of the ball, but there are certainly individual players that are standing out.
Here are some observations from today’s practice:
- The Terps worked on kickoffs early in practice. Wide receivers DJ Moore, Taivon Jacobs and Jacquille Veii, as well as running back Lorenzo Harrison were the guys that rotated as returners. Moore and Harrison really stood out as guys who seem to have a knack for that position. However, all four sound like good options to return kickoffs for Maryland next season.
- On less of a bright note but sticking with the kickoff team, all the kickers that rotated in to kick the ball off the tee struggled getting the ball into the end zone, which was an issue for the Terps special teams last season, as well. I didn’t see punter Wade Lees attempt any kickoffs and it makes me wonder why they wouldn’t explore a player with such a strong leg more at that spot. Not to say they won’t, though.
- To the kickers’ credit, Adam Greene and walk-on transfer from Towson Mike Shinksy each hit nice 42-yard FGs during 11-on-11s. Greene even hit two. Durkin was asked before practice about the competition at kicker and he said competition is exactly what they’re hoping to create there. Experience likely has Greene in the driver’s seat, but it sounds like Shinsky will have every opportunity this spring and in the fall to prove he’s the man for the job.
- Caleb Henderson is still clearly the most polished quarterback on the roster, but the sophomores, Ty Pigrome and Max Bortenschlager, are both showing some interesting stuff. Pigrome really struggles with short-to-intermediate throws but has a strong arm and throws a nice deep ball (probably second-best on team behind Henderson). He also, unsurprisingly, regularly turns “broken plays” into big gains with his feet. I put broken plays in quotes because I don’t think the play is necessarily broken down every time Pigrome pulls the ball down to run. Some of the runs are clearly designed, but other times it appears that he is quick to look to run rather than make his reads and try to find an open receiver. Pigrome’s height also still remains an issue when he’s throwing from the pocket. Toward the end of practice in 11-on-11s, he had a pass that was tipped in the air at the line and picked off by cornerback Antwaine Richardson.
- Bortenschlager can make throws all over the field and is particularly impressive throwing outside the numbers on out routes and comebacks. But he does overshoot a lot of wide receivers when throwing deep. Arm strength isn't the problem, it's just seems to be a matter of touch. And just so we're not painting a picture of Henderson being flawless, he did throw an interception late in practice during 11-on-11s to safety Josh Woods.
- Two other observations on the offense, one good and one bad, were that the running game, unsurprisingly, looks great and the pass catchers are dropping too many balls. DJ Turner dropped an easy catch in last week's practice but today it was Avery Edwards, Jacquille Veii and Derrick Heyward who all dropped well-thrown balls. But from Ty Johnson to Jake Funk, all of the running backs in spring ball are finding huge lanes to run through and are continuously making the defense pay by ripping off large chunks of yards during 11-on-11s.
- Now jumping to defense, DJ Durkin told the media before practice that defensive backs Denzel Conyers and Deon Jones are both still rehabbing their knee injuries that they suffered last season and neither will be a full-go this spring. The hope is to ease both back into things and give them the summer to rehab hard and come back at full strength or close to it in the fall. Both players are suiting up in spring ball but are just doing light, non-contact drills. While both are sporting bulky knee braces, Conyers seems to be moving around a little better at this point than Jones, who is still walking with a noticeable limp.
- As far as linebackers that are standing out in the absence of senior Shane Cockerille, who is working through off-the-field issues, Durkin mentioned early enrollee Nick Underwood and seniorJalen Brooks as guys who have really stepped up.
“Jalen Brooks has put together his best seven practices since I’ve been here," Durkin said. "He’s doing a phenomenal job. Jalen’s a guy we’ve used outside, sometimes at the SAM, sometimes inside at the WILL, and we’ll continue to do that. But he’s making his case for a guy that needs to be out there playing, as well.”
- When asked about the progression of defensive lineman Adam McLean, Durkin said it has been a productive winter for him and that he was able to get himself in shape and "get his body right." Durkin went on to also praise Cavon Walker and Kingsley Opara and two guys that could have a big impact on the defensive line next season.
- Not only kickoffs, but also field goal kicking is going to be one of the biggest issues for Maryland next season. Adam Greene was underwhelming last year and the team brought in walk-on transfer from Towson Mike Shinksy to push him for the starting job. Neither have looked great so far this spring, but both did hit some decently long field goals during 11-on-11s today. Shinksy nailed his one attempt from 42 yards and Greene hit two from that same distance.
