Maryland football suspends DBs Markquese Bell and Alex Woods indefinitely

Two of Maryland’s new defensive backs won’t make their college debuts on Sept. 2 against Texas as originally planned. Freshman Markquese Bell and junior college transfer Alex Woods have been suspended indefinitely for a code of conduct violation, head coach DJ Durkin told reporters Friday.

Bell was squarely in the mix to see significant playing time at safety, while Woods was part of a crowded battle at cornerback. Both were part of Maryland’s 2017 recruiting class, even though Woods classifies as a redshirt junior this season.

With these two on the sidelines indefinitely, the Terps’ secondary won’t have the depth it was expected to. However, redshirt senior Denzel Conyers is “doing much better” in recovery from his ACL injury last season, Durkin said, after a couple of “really good days at practice.” Although it’s unclear if Conyers will see the field against Texas, his progression is a much-needed positive.

Durkin also said in Friday’s teleconference that the Terps have decided on their quarterback, but won’t reveal their starter until releasing the two-deep on Monday. That spot had come down to sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome and freshman Kasim Hill, with Pigrome taking the most first-team reps in practice as of late.