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Maryland running back LaDerrien Wilson has left the program, InsideMDSports’ Ahmed Ghafir is reporting.
The 5’11, 227-pound back seemed poised to step into the role Kenneth Goins filled last year in Maryland’s backfield as more of a power-running, short yardage back. After redshirting his first year in College Park, Wilson showed that power and a bit of unexpected elusiveness in the spring game.
He was the first recruit to flip to Maryland in the DJ Durkin era, having previously committed to Virginia out of high school in the Class of 2016. When Durkin hired former Virginia head coach Mike London and assistant coach Chris Beatty, they were able to persuade Wilson to come along with them.
While there was probably an opportunity for him to carve out a short-yardage role for himself this season, he’d still find himself in a crowded backfield featuring Lorenzo Harrison and Ty Johnson with Jake Funk, Anthony McFarland and potentially Javon Leake and Tayon Fleet-Davis all competing for touches. It’s not clear exactly why he’s leaving or where he’s going next, but Maryland will have to move on without him.