The 2018 Maryland football campaign unofficially kicked off this week at the annual Big Ten Conference Football Media Days held in Chicago July 23-24.
It was the third media day for head coach
DJ Durkin, who was accompanied by first-time attendees
Derwin Gray,
Taivon Jacobs and
Darnell Savage, Jr.
The group flew to Chicago in style, as Gray sported a Len Bias basketball jersey in homage of one of the all-time Terrapin greats.
Upon arriving at the hotel in downtown Chicago, the student-athletes quickly changed into their jerseys for a fun marketing photo shoot with Fox Sports.
The photo shoot was the perfect appetizer for the main course at Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, where the group wolfed down delicious steaks and dessert.
The following day was a long, but a rewarding day for Durkin and the student-athletes which included more photo and video shoots, interviews and the annual kickoff luncheon.
Durkin opened the morning at the podium in front of a hundreds of reporters and touched on a number of topics, including the team's plans to honor the memory of the late
Jordan McNair.
"Our hearts continue to be with the McNair family. They will not be forgotten. Jordan and his family will always be part of what we do," Durkin said. "We've assigned a player committee to make sure Jordan always has a presence. We're a team that's playing for Jordan this year."
In addition to being asked about the impending competition for the starting quarterback position, Durkin also touched on recruiting success in the DMV region.
"I've said it before and I truly mean it – I think we're in the center of one of the best football talent areas in the country," Durkin said. "We're going to continue to recruit in the DMV and do everything we can to keep as many guys here with us and representing their hometown as we possibly can. And we will certainly branch out in different areas."
Following the kickoff luncheon, Durkin was joined by the Terrapin student-athletes at individual podiums for an hour media session and a trip to the Big Ten Network set for segments on live television.
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