One year removed from the stellar backfield of Javon Leake and Anthony McFarland, Jr., Maryland’s rushing attack was essentially a one-man show in 2020. Jake Funk finished his career in College Park with a bang, averaging 8.6 yards per carry and leading the team with 3 rushing touchdowns. No other running back on the roster amassed more than 100 yards and after Funk was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Draft last month, the team is left with a mostly inexperienced stable of rushers as they head into the 2021 season.
This is the second in a series of articles previewing Maryland’s 2021 football season on a position-by-position basis. Be sure to check in regularly, and give your thoughts on my projections at the link below.
(Discuss this article on the BSL Message Board here.)
Note: Players with an asterisk (*) next to their class will have an extra year of eligibility available to them after their senior season due to COVID-19.
The Big Three (Questions)
Who steps up as the lead running back?
There’s a good chance that the first few weeks of Maryland’s season will feature a committee approach at the running back position, but running backs coach Elijah Brooks will be hoping to see one of his players take charge of the starting role as the team heads into conference play.
Will Fleet-Davis be able to knock the rust off?
Tayon Fleet-Davis enters this season as the most experienced running back on the roster, but he hasn’t received meaningful playing time in two years due to off-the-field issues. As long as he isn’t rusty, he has the talent to be an every-down back for the Terrapins in 2021.
Will we see a breakout?
While smart money is on Fleet-Davis to begin the year as the starting running back, there are a number of young players behind him who could have a breakout season. We saw flashes from Peny Boone and Isaiah Jacobs in 2020, and head coach Michael Locksley added three rushers in his 2021 recruiting class.
Elijah Brooks – Running Backs Coach
Brooks is in his third season as Maryland’s running backs coach after spending eight years as the head coach at nearby DeMatha Catholic High School. A running back himself in college at both Kent State and William & Mary, he’ll be tasked with developing the large number of young rushers on the Terrapins’ roster this season.
Tayon Fleet-Davis (Redshirt Senior*)
2021 Projection: Starter
2020 Statistics: 10 carries, 26 yds (2.6 ypc), 0 TD; 1 reception, 17 yds (17.0 ypr), 0 TD
Fleet-Davis missed the majority of last season following a DWI charge that he was issued towards the end of the 2019 season. He only saw action in one game, the team’s regular season finale against Rutgers. He thrived in former interim head coach Matt Canada’s offense in 2018, finishing second on the team with 5 rushing touchdowns and excelling on the play-caller’s patented jet sweep runs. While he has a relatively large frame for a running back, he has solid explosiveness and is a weapon in the passing game as both a receiver and a blocker.
I’ve projected Fleet-Davis to serve as the team’s starting running back this season. It’s a job he’ll have to earn during summer practices, but his all-purpose abilities are an excellent fit for offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ system. He’ll have every opportunity to put up good numbers in what could be his final year in College Park.
Isaiah Jacobs (Sophomore*)
2021 Projection: Second-Team
2020 Statistics: 19 carries, 61 yds (3.2 ypc), 0 TD; 2 receptions, 22 yds (11.0 ypr), 0 TD
While there was a lot of hype surrounding Jacobs before the 2020 season began, he struggled to break through in the four games that he played. He received his most significant snaps in Maryland’s game against Indiana while Funk was out after testing positive for COVID-19. He rushed 7 times for 32 yards in that game, and added a 22-yard reception. He began the year as the team’s primary kickoff returner, but ceded that job to DeJuan Ellis after just two games.
I’ve projected Jacobs to serve as the team’s second-string running back in 2021, but it’s a job he’ll have to win and earn every week. His most significant competition will come from fellow sophomore Peny Boone, but with a number of young backs on the roster he’ll need to be more consistent if he wants to receive significant snaps this season.
Peny Boone (Sophomore*)
2021 Projection: Third-Team
2020 Statistics: 19 carries, 86 yds (4.5 ypc), 0 TD; 2 receptions, 21 yds (10.5 ypr), 0 TD
It’s difficult to miss Boone when he’s on the field, as he stands 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 245 pounds. He’s built like a running back from decades past, a bruiser who can carry defenders on his back while he rumbles downfield. Like Jacobs he received his most significant snaps against Indiana, where he ran 9 times for 35 yards and recorded a 12-yard reception. Despite his large frame he showed off impressive quickness in that game, doing most of his damage outside the tackles.
I’ve projected Boone to serve as the team’s third-string running back in 2021, but he’ll have every opportunity to challenge both Jacobs and Fleet-Davis for snaps. As one of the larger backs on the roster, he may be offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ first choice for short-yardage snaps.
Challen Faamatau (Senior*)
2021 Projection: Fourth-Team
2020 Statistics: 1 carry, 4 yds (4.0 ypc), 0 TD; 1 reception, 8 yds (8.0 ypr), 0 TD
Faamatau joined the team as a junior college transfer last season and primarily saw the field on special teams. Due to a handful of injuries at the running back position during spring practices, he received a significant number of snaps in Maryland’s Red-White Spring Game. He carried the ball 10 times for 46 yards in that game, and completed a 41-yard touchdown pass on a trick play to wide receiver Nick DeGennaro.
I’ve projected Faamatau to serve as the team’s fourth-string running back in 2021. If he can build on his solid spring, he may be able to steal some snaps from the players above him on the depth chart in what could be his final season in College Park.
Antwain Littleton (Freshman)
2021 Projection: Fifth-Team
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A
If you thought Boone had a large frame for a running back, wait until you see the young man known as “Baby Bus” take the field for the Terrapins. Littleton weighs in at a whopping 265 pounds and takes the meaning of a short-yardage back to a whole new level. He’s an excellent athlete for being so large, and also has the ability to play linebacker. For now though, he’s expected to contribute on the offensive side of the ball for the Terrapins.
I’ve projected Littleton to serve as the team’s fifth-string running back in 2021. His best opportunity to see the field as a true freshman will likely come in short-yardage and goal line packages. If he can impress the coaching staff during summer practices, they’ll likely find a way to get him on the field.
Colby McDonald (Freshman)
2021 Projection: Sixth-Team
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A
McDonald comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from St. John’s College High School in Washington, DC, where he was a teammate of Littleton’s. He was ranked as the 74th-best running back in the 2021 class by 247Sports, and the 5th-best player in the District of Columbia.
I’ve projected McDonald to serve as the team’s sixth-string running back in 2021. The goal will likely be to get him some playing time in four or fewer games this season while maintaining his redshirt status.
Roman Hemby (Freshman)
2021 Projection: Seventh-Team
2020 Statistics (High School): N/A
Hemby comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from The John Carroll School in Bel Air, MD. He was ranked as the 110th-best running back in the 2021 class, and the 40th-best player in the state of Maryland by 247Sports.
I’ve projected Hemby to serve as the team’s seventh-string running back in 2021. Like McDonald, the coaching staff will likely look to get him some playing time while maintaining his redshirt status.
Jha’Mel Thorne (Junior)
2021 Projection: Eighth-Team
2020 Statistics: None
Thorne joined the team as a walk-on last season after spending two seasons at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, MD. He saw the field in Maryland’s season-opener against Northwestern on special teams. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s eighth-string running back in 2021.
Rashard Jackson (Senior)
2021 Projection: Ninth-Team
2020 Statistics: Did Not Play
Jackson joined the team as a walk-on last season after spending time at the junior college level. He didn’t see the field in any of Maryland’s games. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s ninth-string running back in 2021.
Daniel Anderson (Senior)
2021 Projection: Tenth-Team
2020 Statistics: Did Not Play
Anderson joined the team as a walk-on last season and didn’t see the field. He played his high school football at Arundel High School in Gambrills, MD. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s tenth-string running back in 2021.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.