Tayon Fleet-Davis gives Maryland football another power running back

Profiles in Terpage is back for 2017. Last week, we focused on quarterbacks; this week, we’re looking at all of Maryland’s running backs.

Tayon Fleet-Davis, RB, No. 34

Height: 5’11
Weight: 210 lbs.
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Oxon Hill, Maryland
High school: Potomac School

How he got to College Park

Coming in as the No. 44 running back in the Class of 2017, the local standout is a between-the-tackles bruiser who’s also lethal in the passing game.

A consensus three-star prospect, Fleet-Davis averaged 5.4 yards per carry to rack up 832 yards on the ground with 10 touchdowns, but also hauled in 25 receptions for 433 yards and six touchdowns. He had offers from West Virginia, Syracuse and five Big Ten schools, but elected to be a part of the “DMV-to-UMD” movement that head coach DJ Durkin has revamped since his arrival.

2017 Prospectus

Maryland’s going to have a ton of viable running backs next year, and while it means there is a steady pipeline of backfield talent in College Park, that might cut into Fleet-Davis’ opportunities in his first year. The unit already returns Ty Johnson, Lorenzo Harrison and Jake Funk, while adding coveted four-star running back Anthony McFarland to the mix as well. But it’s still possible Fleet-Davis emerges as a welcomed surprise. After all, Harrison broke through as a three-star recruit to become the second-leading rusher on a unit that became a logjam by season’s end.

Dream Season

Fleet-Davis makes the most of a limited role on third-down situations as a power back, and contributes on special teams while he takes a year to hone his play at the collegiate level. This is similar to what Jake Funk went through last season: a local standout who impressed in the opportunities he was given, eventually becoming a regular part of the special teams unit.

Up Next

We’re moving on to wide receivers.

say_al tied phisch13 with two this week.
HughGR, Murderlandboy and Turtle Shell all had one.