3-star RB Kyjuan Herndon commits to Maryland football

Three-star running back Kyjuan Herndon has committed to Maryland football for the Class of 2020, he announced Sunday night.

“It was just a great opportunity for me,” Herndon told Testudo Times. “I looked into it, did my research and I felt like it was a great move.”

Herndon originally committed to Ole Miss back in March, but decommitted on Dec. 2. He picked up an offer from Maryland shortly after and took a quick official visit to College Park this weekend.

“[On the visit], they talked a lot about academics,” Herndon said. “The mentorship, what happens after the NFL and after school — life in general — to get you prepared for life. I talked to a lot of players about their experiences and how they felt.”

The 5’9, 175-pound Florida native is a speedy prospect who is quick to maneuver through running lanes and show his burst. Herndon is also able to bounce off tacklers and change direction quickly in the open field, where his breakaway speed is hard to stop.

“I would say I’m a speed back,” Herndon said. “I have great vision and can find cutback lanes. I feel like I can be compared to [former Oregon Duck] De’Anthony Thomas. His speed and elusiveness is second to none.”

Herndon’s commitment to Maryland comes less than a week after running backs Anthony McFarland Jr. and Javon Leake both decided to forgo their remaining eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft.

“I look up to [McFarland and Leake],” Herndon said. “Seeing them there, then going to the NFL. I feel like I’m going to be able to do the same thing and have the same opportunity.”

According to the 247Sports Composite ranking, Herndon is the No. 116 athlete in the nation and a top-200 player in the state of Florida.

Herndon plans to sign during the early period (Dec. 18-20) and enroll in January in order to take part in spring practice.

With Herndon on board, Maryland’s Class of 2020 now has 17 committed players in total and sits at No. 47 in the nation.