Keiron Howard could find a role on Maryland’s crowded defensive line

Maryland football starts its season in 47 days. Until then, we’re profiling every player on the roster.

Keiron Howard, defensive lineman

Height: 6’3
Weight: 289 pounds
Year: Redshirt freshman
High school: Potomac (Md.)

How Howard got to College Park

Back in 2014, Howard chose Maryland over a group of lower-echelon programs and Tennessee, opting to stay close to home and play for the Terrapins. He committed to help fill what was, at the time and still now, a position of need.

A highlight so far

Nothing just yet, so here’s high school tape:

2016 prospectus

He didn’t play at all in his first year on campus last season, but he was a onetime scout team player of the week and figures to have a legitimate shot at cracking the rotation this season. The Terps have a lot of defensive tackles, and Howard is likely to play there, too, although his 6’3, 289-pound frame could work well on an end.

So, the long-and-short is that Howard is in the thick of things. Maryland has a few players who are likely ahead of him on the depth chart – Azubuike Ukando, David Shaw, Kingsley Opara and Adam McLean at tackle, to name some – but Howard is a former three-star recruit who could develop enough to get a real shot.

What a dream season would look like

Howard earns a starting job and plays a lot at defensive tackle, a job he holds into next year. He helps a vastly improved run defense.

The next player in this series ...

... is a talented, local freshman on a unit with really high upside.

Standings

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