With the Terps having completed an inter-squad practice with Morgan State over the weekend, here are a few takeaways as we inch closer to the Red-White game on April 27.
The biggest storyline is obviously who will replace Tagovailoa under center. And based on Saturday's practice, it seems redshirt sophomore Cam Edge is getting first crack at the starting job after going 4-for-6 for 82 yards with a beautiful 57-yard TD throw and an INT in the Terps' bowl win over Auburn. He was first to see the field with the first-team offense and played the majority of the snaps with that unit. Of the three QBs expected to really compete for the job, he has the biggest arm and perhaps the best understanding of the playbook. Billy Edwards also saw time with the starters, while NC State transfer MJ Morris ran with the third team.
It is pretty easy to see why Locks is back in the QB room, with so much inexperience and a new face competing for the starting job after four years of Lia.
“It’s a marathon. We’re going to live with the ups and downs that go along with the competition," Locks said after practice in Baltimore. "As I told the guys, we won’t know our starter until a week before we open up against UConn. We’ve got a lot of work to get done. When you lose a four-year veteran like we did with Taulia, this next group is going to take some time. I do like the way that we’re developing. Being back in the room has been great because now I have a bird’s eye view of what they know and it helps us as we start making some decisions.”
It is not surprising to see Edge in the lead at this time, but the mobility of Edwards and Morris will likely play a factor in the eventual starter. A big reason for this is the offensive line.
While not at full strength, the starters along the o-line in Baltimore were Alan Herron, Isaac Bunyun, Josh Kaltenberger, Kyle Long and Conor Fagan. That would be two newcomers from the transfer portal, a converted d-lineman and a former walk-on. Obviously you play your best five regardless of how they got there, but it seems evident that the o-line experience and depth will once again be a big storyline with this team. It is also worth noting that Aliou Bah, the Georgia transfer, was out.
As for Bunyun, this is a new development and it'll be interesting to see if he sticks here the rest of the spring and where he ends up at the start of fall camp. He was an integral part of the d-line rotation last season.
“We’re taking a look at Isaac Bunyan on the offensive side," Locks said. "In the spring is where we typically do some of these things. Ike has been a three-year guy that’s really rotated and played a lot of good football for us on the defensive line, but I do think for him to have an opportunity at the next level, we’ve evaluated him over the last two to three months in our Terp Time workouts, we identified him as a guy who could possibly help us and give us a presence there, especially a veteran guy. He’s athletic, he’s strong, he’s got good power. So we’re taking a peek the first seven practices to see if this is a chance to improve our team and create some value for Ike.”
With regards to the skill positions on offense, this year's team won't be as deep, but they have quite a bit of talent and it could be a good thing as some guys might see more snaps and more touches because of it. Hemby has the starting RB spot locked down, while Tai Felton, Kaden Prather and Octavian Smith seem to have the starting wideout spots locked down. Hemby had a couple of receiving TDs on the day and looks to be in top form after a somewhat disappointing 2023 season. Nolan Ray will likely see the bulk of the snaps behind Hemby, but it seems like Hemby is set up to be a real workhorse this season.
Sophomore Dylan Wade saw the bulk of the action at TE in Baltimore, but that was likely due to the fact that Preston Howard was out. I still expect Howard to man the slot and see the bulk of the targets on offense, while Wade should be a good secondary target and primary blocker.
On defense, Perry Fisher seems to have picked up this spring right where he left off in the Music City Bowl after a strong performance versus Auburn. He had an interception in Baltimore and seems like he has a real chance to be the starter opposite newcomer Jalen Huskey who transferred in from Bowling Green.
The backend of the secondary should be solid once again with Dante Trader Jr. having a full offseason of football and an experienced Glen Miller seemingly ready to plug right into Brade's spot.
Perhaps the best play of the day was this catch by Prather from backup QB Champ Long.
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And, as always, remember, this was a practice, lots of drills, guys sitting out, no contact with regards to rushing the passer, etc.
Any questions, fire away and I'll try to answer them.
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