A recurring series where we will profile every player on Maryland's roster, counting down to kick-off against William & Mary on September 1. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile a player who has been injured for most of his young Maryland career.
Makinton Dorleant, Freshman (RS), Cornerback, #23
Stats:
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 180
Major: Letters and Sciences
Twitter: @illreturnit_23
Collegiate Stats: N/A
High School Stats (Senior Year): 42 tackles, 14 pass breakups, one interception, one fumble recovery, two blocked field goals and 652 yards of total offense
Recruiting Ratings: Three stars by Rivals (#62 CB), Scout (#85 CB), 24/7 (#83 in FL, #26 CB), ESPN (#43 CB)
High School: Lely
Hometown: Naples, Fla.
High School Highlights:
How'd He Get to College Park?
Dorleant was one of a bevy of Florida defensive recruits to come to College Park under the promise of playing for former defensive coordinator Don Brown. When Brown controversially left days after Signing Day, the cornerback was one of the guys who was hit hardest:
"He was the biggest reason I was going to go and play there," Dorleant said. "If he made the decision a week before Signing Day, I definitely wouldn’t be going to Maryland. And I mean, there’s nothing I can really do now."
Dorleant has been plagued by injury for most of his career - he missed four games in his senior year and is missing spring practice this season - and Maryland is desperately hoping he's healthy this year. He was also offered by Arizona, Iowa, Florida State, Texas Tech, West Virginia, and others. Dorleant redshirted last season.
Nickname:
Makinton "Mak Diesel" Dorleant
Career Highlight:
Being named scout team special teams player of the week before last year's Virginia game.
Career Lowlight:
Missing spring practice due to injury.
Dream Season:
Dorleant secures the nickel back spot, doing well and getting an interception or two.
Nightmare Season:
Dorleant loses the spot to either Isaac Goins, Sean Davis or Alvin Hill.
2012 Prospectus:
Assuming he recovers from injury in time, Makinton Dorleant is the far-and-away favorite to be Maryland's nickel back this season, as he is the Terps' third-choice corner behind Dexter McDougle and Jeremiah Johnson. Even with Maryland's troubles in the secondary last season, they at least had depth - starters Cameron Chism and Trenton Hughes were in front of McDougle and Johnson. This year, some of the younger guys have to step up, and one of those guys is certainly Dorleant. He's going to have a true freshman playing with him in some of the more passing downs (probably Davis), but a lot of the pressure is going to be on him, as the only non-starter who has been with the program before.
Dorleant may also be an option in the return game. Looking at his Twitter handle (I'll Return It 23, for those who don't remember or can't read Twitter-speak), it seems like it's a job he wants to do and it's one that he found much success in during high school. Dorleant's always been an excellent special teams player, and we'll see if Coach Powell gives him a shot in the return game this year.
Up Next:
Our next player is another secondary option from Florida.