Maryland might have a worse record in 2017, but D.J. Durkin has them on the right track

Maryland has long been described as one of college football’s “sleeping giants.” The Terps are in the middle of one of the most talent-rich recruiting areas in the nation, can now boast Big Ten membership to recruits, plus have an apparel sponsor willing to go the extra mile for them, among other things. It would seem that all of the ingredients are there for Maryland to be a top-flight football program.

While the on-field product hasn’t met that potential yet, head coach D.J. Durkin is doing his damnedest to change that. In his first season, the Terps did just enough to earn a bowl bid, signed a top-20 recruiting class, and appear to have forward momentum for the first time since the Ralph Friedgen era. So, is it time for the sleeping giant to finally wake up?

On this episode of The Hangout in the Holyland, Testudo Times’ Jared Goldstein joins the show to talk about the progress Durkin has made in just over a year, and the outlook for the 2017 Terrapins, including:

• Battling with Ohio State and other big-time programs for recruits in the DMV area.
• Why running backs Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison should be able to hold it down for the offense while the quarterback situation is figured out.
• Fixing an awful run defense, and playing younger players in the front seven.
• Why their tough schedule may mean a worse record than last year, but a better team overall.
• Expectations for the season, building for 2018, and more!

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