3-star running back Colby McDonald commits to Maryland football

Three-star running back Colby McDonald announced his commitment to Maryland football Friday.

“This is for my city. Let’s touch money,” McDonald said in a Twitter post.

The Washington, D.C. prospect is the second running back pledge for the Terps out of St John’s College High School in the class of 2021 — alongside three-star teammate Antwain Littleton, who committed in February.

McDonald is ranked as the No. 76 running back and No. 7 prospect out of the district in the 2021 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

While the 6’0, 265-pound Littleton brings the boom, McDonald serves more as the prototypical running back for the Cadets. He was a 2019 first-team All-WCAC selection during his junior season.

At 5’10 1/2, 200 pounds, McDonald is similar in size to former Maryland running back Anthony McFarland Jr. when he committed back in 2017.

McDonald brings a great amount of speed to the backfield, while also being shifty in tight spaces to avoid tacklers. Whether it be breaking through a hole or after catching a pass, McDonald also shows amazing acceleration that makes him tough to bring down.

Maryland has been working to rebuild its depth in the backfield as Javon Leake and Anthony McFarland Jr. both left the program early to reach the NFL. Rising-senior running backs Jake Funk and Tayon Fleet-Davis will shoulder the bulk of work from running backs in 2020, while rising-redshirt sophomore transfer Jordan Castleberry from Michigan will have plenty of chances to carve out playing time in the backfield.

The Terps will also welcome in Peny Boone and Isaiah Jacobs, brother of Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, as part of the 2020 class.

Maryland now has 14 commitments in its 2021 class, including 12 players from the DMV area. The Terps rank No. 13 in the nation and No. 5 in the Big Ten, according to the 24/7 Sports team rankings.