Highlights from Maryland football at Big Ten media day

As Maryland football’s first season under Mike Locksley inches closer, the Terps appeared in Chicago for Big Ten media days, which started Thursday.

The first-year coach was joined by running back Anthony McFarland and defensive backs Antoine Brooks and Tino Ellis, all of whom brought their best outfits to the Windy City.

Locksley took the podium for the traditional coach’s press conference, touching on why Maryland was his dream job, some potential impact transfers, as well as what he learned under Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

“Anyone who knows me knows from the time I got into this business 27 years ago, the Maryland football job was the job I coveted,” Locksley said. “I’ve said this before, and I’m going to keep saying it: This is a dream come true for my family and I am able to come home and coach the university that I grew up rooting for as a kid.”

He later stopped by the BTN set to go into a little more detail about his plans for the program, including his priorities on keeping a family atmosphere and winning recruiting battles in the DMV.

Brooks, Ellis and McFarland also stopped by the BTN set, and showed how Locksley’s time under Saban is already rubbing off on the players. McFarland said Locksley tell his players to “maximize” it, which sounds like the Terps’ version of Alabama’s famed “Process.”

“[Just] being where your feet are,” McFarland said when asked about the term. “Not worrying about what’s going to happen next month, what’s going to happen a year from now, just being where your feet are. I’m here right now, and I’m not thinking about nothing else. That’s just how you have to live your life.”

Maryland will start fall camp next month and open the 2019 season against Howard on Aug. 31.

In other news

The Washington Post’s Emily Giambalvo has more from Chicago.

Locksley also responded to the comments Nick Saban made about his assistants letting their egos get in the way of the Crimson Tide’s pursuit of perfection last season.

McFarland picked up more preseason honors, as he was named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back in the country.

Cody continued Defensive Line Week with a look at three redshirt sophomore defensive tackles who Maryland hopes realize their potential.

Lila has your guide to the best defensive linemen Maryland will play this season.

Cathy Reese picked up another award Thursday, winning IWLCA Coach of the Year.

The Athletic’s Ben Standig wrote about what’s next for Maryland legend Greivis Vazquez after a horrific run of injuries ($).

And yesterday was photoshoot day for Bruno Fernando in Atlanta.