Watch: Maryland Football's Practice One Week Into Fall Camp

Players began putting on the pads on Friday and today marked the first time they were available to the press. Head coach Mike Locksley says year in and year out that fall camp is when the staff is able to truly identify playmakers and leaders. So far, the team has been hitting the field and spent ample time in the film room through the first phase of installation on both sides of the ball.

Senior linebacker TJ Kautai is no longer with the team, which is why he's no longer listed on Maryland's updated roster. Both freshmen inside linebackers Caleb Wheatland and Jaishawn Barham have thoroughly impressed through the summer into camp, bumping Kautai's available playing time. Maryland also returns a trio of experienced inside linebackers in Fa'Najae Gotay, Ruben Hyppolite and Gereme Spraggins as Gotay and Spraggins battle out the starting position.

So far, so good for veteran Dontay Demus as he continues to practice with a brace heading into week two. Second-year receiver Tai Felton has drawn praise and benefits from being in year two in the system. Even with a veteran-heavy receiver room with multiple NFL prospects, Felton's deceptive speed and ability to pop the top off opposing defenses carves him a role in the receiver room. Who else? Freshman receiver Octavian Smith has turned heads with his quickness, one week after hauling in one-handed catches during the open portion of practice. Out of high school, Smith was considered a great prospect as a receiver with NFL potential as a cornerback and while I put him on watch for a position switch, the former local four-star has impressed early on the offensive side of the ball. Midway through the open portion of Maryland's practice, Rakim Jarrett headed off to the locker room.

Spencer Anderson and DJ Glaze have been flip-flopping between right guard and right tackle as Maryland works the ideal lineup, but Anderson's positional versatility along the line could make him the fit at guard. One change I do anticipate making in the next projected two deep is Dante Trader as the starting free safety alongside Beau Brade heading into the 2022 season. That pushes Isaiah Hazel as the primary backup, one who could play often, while Hazel and Glen Miller could fill in as a nickel corner. Junior Tarheeb Still has also filled in at nickel and could be leaned on there but Trader, someone who played in all but one of Maryland's 13 games last season, has the range and athleticism at the position to make the perfect fit as a free safety.

Sticking along the offensive line, freshman offensive tackle Andre Roye was running with the second team in the spring and continues to hold his own as the backup left tackle, likely paving the way for consecutive former St. Frances four-stars to lock down the position once Jaelyn Duncan exhausts his eligibility following the 2022 season.

Transfer defensive lineman Henry Chibueze is focusing on nose tackle heading into camp before taking reps at defensive tackle, but he'll be a I

I wasn't optimistic on Maryland's chances for Georgia athlete Vicari Swain, but the staff is still in pursuit and he's in daily contact with safeties coach Wes Neighbors. I still think the SEC could be the likely landing spot but not completely discounting the Terps here.

UNC is now trending for Unity Reed (VA) linebacker Amare Campbell but if it’s up to his parents, Maryland remains the top choice. Since I last posted that I expected the Virginia linebacker to become Maryland’s next commitment, the Tar Heels chatter started heating up as the two battle. Campbell is in the process of working on his commitment video ahead of his August 24 commitment and while I now like North Carolina’s chances better than Maryland, I expect inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson and head coach Mike Locksley to hop on the phone with him and his parents over the next few days to iron things out. If Campbell heads elsewhere, I expect a continued pursuit of Virginia verbal Kamren Robinson, who is leaving the door open in his recruitment. The fringe four-star was slated to visit for last weekend’s barbeque but his mom pulled the plug on the visit due to his current commitment. While Virginia’s alumni and the strength of their academics are a key selling point, conference realignment continues to linger as an x-factor in his recruitment.

Hearing the target to finalize Maryland football's NIL program is end of August, just prior to the start of the 2022 season. I mentioned the name is The Best Is Ahead Foundation and that Under Armour will be heavily involved while there's a likely possibility that UA's equity side will be tied into the setup.