As a growing number of veterans retire from bowling games, either to preserve their health for the NFL Draft or because they are traded, more and more young players have used post-games. season as an opportunity to audition for next season. And sometimes, as was the case last year for Maryland, coaches use bowl games to give those players chances even without a veteran in front of them retiring.
“I always talk a lot about the fact that the bowling game is not the end of our 22 season, but actually the start of our 23 season. It’s kind of a passing of the torch, in itself. Obviously, with players declaring for the NFL and getting out of the game, some guys get traded for whatever reason. But this is an opportunity where you’ll see a group of our young players,” Maryland Coach Mike Lockley said last week.
And I think back to a year ago, entering the Pinstripe game, where I thought guys like Romain Hemby and Anthony Littleton had their release parties, which they both contributed to. And I expect this year some of the young guys who have been pushed into roles, or meaningful roles in this game, will do the same.”
Hemby hadn’t played since the season opener last season before getting five carries and a touchdown in Maryland’s blowout win over Virginia Tech at the Pinstripe Bowl. A year later, he’s far from an unknown having rushed for 924 yards and 10 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry this season.
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When Maryland takes on NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday, there will be plenty more opportunities for young players, thanks to a sizable list of retired veterans: receivers Donta Demus, Rakim Jarret and Jacob Copeland, and cornerback Deonte Banks. So who could use the game as a springboard like Hemby a year ago? Here are five young players who could break out:
Octave Smith
Smith, a true first-year receiver, got playing time behind the Maryland veteran corps this season, posting nine catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. He also returned 14 kickoffs for 313 yards. The former four-star recruit from nearby Paint Branch High is quick and sneaky and could be Maryland’s biggest threat next season. With these three veterans paving the way for him, look for him to make plays against the Wolfpack.
Like Smith, Knotts was a highly regarded four-star in the 2022 class. He hasn’t had as many chances as Smith this season, catching four passes for seven yards, but he’s another promising young receiver who could earn a starting place next season. Known by his nickname, “Punch,” the 6-2, 175-pounder was the No. 23 receiver and No. 144 player in the Class of 2022. He might also get some extra motivation playing in his native North Carolina. He’s from Monroe, North Carolina, 40 minutes from Charlotte.
Felton is another receiver – do you sense a theme here? – who will get additional opportunities with the retirement of these three big names. He’s more established than the previous two mentioned, a second who caught 19 balls for 240 yards and two touchdowns while returning six kickoffs, but he has a shot at being Maryland’s No. 1 touchdown. 1 receiver next year. Felton, one of Maryland’s fastest players, will get his share of goals in the bowl game. Ball safety is key for him after a big fumble against SMU and that kickoff that bounced off his facemask to start Michigan’s game, both on kick returns.
The coaching staff thinks Brown might have a similar arc to Hemby’s. The no. 20 running back in the country last year, he was one of Virginia Tech’s most valuable commitments when Mike Lockley knocked him down the day before the start of the early signing period last year. The 6-foot, 212-pound true freshman hasn’t played much this season, but it’s worth noting he’s increasingly factored in as the season draws to a close, with nine runs against Wisconsin and eight against Rutgers. Brown could be Maryland’s number one. 2 back against the Wolfpack despite proven sophomore guys Anthony Littleton and colby mcdonald.
Maryland was already thin at cornerback, then junior Deonte Banks declared for the draft and withdrew from the bowl. That means more playing time for Gibson, who has played about 20% of Maryland’s snaps this season despite being a true unheralded freshman. one of Maryland’s starters, Jakorian Bennett, has exhausted his eligibility. The other, Tarheeb again, will be senior next season. So Gibson, a former Navy enlisted man who chose Maryland over Virginia, will be called up next year and should get plenty of reps in the game. It is also a homecoming for the native of Mooresville, North Carolina.
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