Damian Prince is locked in for one more year as Maryland’s right tackle

It’s time to close out Offensive Line Week at Testudo Times. It’s the continuation of a summer series that has already spread to quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. This week, we’ve already looked at left tackle, left guard, center and right guard. Time to close out with the right tackles.

The starter: Damian Prince, No. 58

Height: 6’3
Weight: 315 lbs.
Year: RS senior
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High school: Bishop McNamara

The former five-star recruit has settled into becoming one of the most reliable offensive linemen in the Big Ten, even if he hasn’t garnered any all-conference honors so far. After redshirting his first year, Prince has started 30 of Maryland’s last 31 games, a streak spanning three seasons. Nothing he does this year will allow him to match Michael Dunn’s 48 career starts, but any number above 40 is exclusive territory.

Prince was considered an NFL Draft prospect this past cycle, but scouts seem to view him as a guard at the next level. As a result, it’s possible he shifts inside either sporadically or consistently this season; whether that would be at left or right guard (where Terrance Davis currently stars) is less clear.

This isn’t something we got much of an answer to in the spring, though. Davis and left tackle Derwin Gray were both held out of practices with injuries, and Prince himself was banged up for the latter part of camp. Assuming all are healthy in August, we’ll know a lot more then.

The backup: Marcus Minor, No. 72

This is Minor’s fourth time being brought up this week. We’re basically out of new relevant information to provide to you. He earned a spot start here in November when Prince was injured, and could start at a couple different spots or be an oft-used rotational lineman off the bench.

The other backup: Brian Plummer, No. 74

Height: 6’6
Weight: 310 lbs.
Year: RS sophomore
Hometown: New Windsor, Maryland
High school: South Carroll HS

The former three-star recruit redshirted in 2016 before seeing action in three games last season. He was reasonably effective when he did get in, but he’ll have to earn his way back onto the field on offense this season. Several talented members of the 2017 and 2018 classes are trying to break through, and Plummer could be the odd man out if he doesn’t impress in fall camp.

The youngsters: Tyran Hunt, No. 67; Spencer Anderson

Hunt: 6’7, 300 lbs.
Year: RS freshman
Hometown: Boykins, Virginia
High school: Southampton

Anderson: 6’5, 270 lbs.
Year: Freshman
Hometown: District Heights, Maryland
High school: Bishop McNamara

Both of these guys came into college as projects. Hunt was a three-star prospect in 2017, and he’s added 15 pounds onto his 6’7 frame since coming to campus. He didn’t see game action last year, but he has the chance to play his way onto at least the second string this season. That would give him a realistic chance of starting by 2019, with three years of eligibility left. Plenty of things can happen between now and then, but it’d be a pleasant surprise if Hunt forces his way onto the field regularly this season.

Anderson was one of three local offensive tackles to join the Terps in the Class of 2018, joining St. Frances’ Jaelyn Duncan and DeMatha’s Evan Gregory. He’s a prime candidate to redshirt a season and put on weight, but the new redshirt rule that allows players to see action in four games without spending a year of eligibility could allow him—as well as his fellow freshmen—to earn at least a trial run at various points this fall.