Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, August 7, 2017
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland went through a quick workout on a rainy Monday. Here are some fun takes.
[ MORE: Dienhart: 5 things I learned | Gray & Prince Facebook Live ]
Most impressive player: LB Jermaine Carter Jr. He got cut-up in the off-season, cutting his body fat. He looks like a rock. And he?s moving even better. Carter could be an All-Big Ten player.
Top specimen: DE Jesse Aniebonam. He is listed at 6-3, 259 pounds, but he looks like a sprinter. Tapered waist, high hips and broad shoulders ? and just watch him off the edge from his ?Buck? spot. He is scary fast–and big.
Who will bring heat off the edge for @TerpsFootball? This guy, Jesse Aniebonam. pic.twitter.com/BzbkuXRoAy
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) August 7, 2017
Loudest coach: DC Andy Buh. No, steam doesn?t come out of his ears, but Buh is intense and gets after. He has a passion that is unmatched.
Impressive newcomer: QB Kasim Hill arrived in College Park amid a lot of hype. And he showed some skills today. It?s a crowded quarterback derby, as the Terps look for a signal-caller with six on the field today. Don?t count out Hill, who had some nice throws today.
No idea who's going to win Maryland QB battle – but I will say this: Kasim Hill will ultimately be a really good Big Ten QB. Impressive
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 7, 2017
On the rise: DT Kingsley Opara. The big senior tackle had a great summer, I am told, and has followed that with a strong start to camp. He needs to be a force on the interior to help stop the bleeding vs. the run.
Nagging question: Who will be the QB? Caleb Henderson? Tyrrell Pigrome? Max Bortenschlager? Kasim Hill?
BTN Bus Tour Stop #3 #Maryland No way I can predict the quarterback situation watching one practice
— Gerry DiNardo (@gerrydinardo) August 7, 2017
Under the radar: WR Jacquille Veii. The senior has had a wild ride, beginning his career at Maryland under Randy Edsall ? transferring to Towson ? coming back to Maryland as a walk-on ? getting put back on scholarship as a senior. He stayed after practice for over 30 minutes catching passes from a manager. He is hungry for a big finish and is No. 3 WR behind D.J. Moore and Taivon Jacobs. This is a nice wideout trio.
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NOTES
Maryland recently cut the ribbon on Cole Field House, the long-time home of the basketball team that has been converted to a palatial football complex. The $40 million project sparkles and will be a jewel that DJ Durkin can use as a recruiting tool. This place will have locker rooms, weight rooms, meeting rooms ? everything the team will need to get bigger and better. Bet you didn?t know old Cole Field House was the place where in 1966 Texas Western (UTEP) started an all-black lineup and beat an all-white Kentucky team in the Final Four led by the Baron of the Bluegrass, Adolph Rupp.
Well done with the new Cole Field House, @TerpsFootball. ? First full practice inside the facility! pic.twitter.com/5Fnwaunwjf
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) August 7, 2017
I talked to A.D. Kevin Anderson a bit. And he said the renovated digs will be done next year, as a weight room and practice fields, among other things, are in the works. The facility will even have classes for entrepreneurs. It is meant to have something for each segment of campus.
DJ Durkin told me after practice that it was emotional for former Terp basketball coach Gary Williams when they cut the ribbon on the new Cole Center. It touched Durkin, who knows Williams? history in the building. Durkin appreciates the work Williams has done to help with fund-raising.
This was just the second padded practice.
