The Real Deal

During each football player’s end-of-spring meeting, head coach Michael Locksley asked each player on his roster what they'd give up or change to help the team become a championship contender. 

Of all the responses Locksley received, one in particular stood out — that of redshirt junior running back Roman Hemby. Many who have been around Hemby for the past couple of years will attest to the leader and individual he is, and there are many examples to back up their claims. 

In 2022, he was named Academic All-Big Ten. The same year, he finished the season ranked third among all FBS freshmen in yards from scrimmage (1,287) while scoring the second-most rushing touchdowns ever by a Maryland freshman (10). He earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and College Football News Third Team Freshman All-American merit for his play on the field.  

In 2023, Hemby boasted the highest cumulative GPA on the football team while earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors. He’s also very involved in the community. A native of Edgewood, Md., and a graduate of The John Carroll School, Hemby hosts an annual youth football camp in the area where he grew up. 

“We talk about Roman the football player, but Roman the person, Roman the Maryland Terp representative, is an unbelievable guy,” Locksley said. “Roman Hemby is the real deal as a person. Kudos to his mom and dad [for] the job they've done [as parents].”

Hemby’s off-the-field aura has matched his on-the-field play through seven games this season. The 6-foot, 208-pound running back has rushed 78 times for 372 yards (4.8 AVG) and four touchdowns. He also has 22 receptions for 144 yards and a score.   

Since arriving on campus, Hemby has led by example to his teammates and the football program. But in the meeting with Locksley, he vowed to step out of his comfort zone and become a more vocal leader. 

Locksley often preaches the importance of a player-led culture. In 2024, the Terps’ identity as a team is predicated on players taking charge to motivate and hold each other accountable. Hemby is one of many within the program embracing a new leadership role. 

“Our other leaders, guys like Dante Trader [Jr.], Tai Felton and Ruben Hyppolite [II], have pulled me along,” Hemby said. “They dragged me out of the lead-by-example mode to be more of a vocal leader. Whether I realize it or not, there are people that look up to me. There are people that respect me in this building, and I have to be a person that can use my voice to advocate for change and encourage others.” 

Hemby admits he was uncertain how people would react to him becoming a more vocal leader. However, he’s already earned the respect of his teammates, who now value his words and wisdom. Hemby believes he’s learned a lot about himself in the transition. 

“It was definitely a great shift for me,” Hemby said. “I've learned quality keys to being a good leader. I feel like it'll last me an eternity, especially when it comes to being a father and my future.”

Hemby’s leadership has been especially impressive in the running back room, where he has taken younger players, such as redshirt freshman Nolay Ray, under his wing.  

Ray redshirted after suffering a season-ending injury in 2023. He appeared in just one game that season, but in 2024, he became a big play threat in Maryland’s running back rotation. Ray is second on the team with 239 rushing yards. Ray mentioned Hemby’s leadership as a factor in his ability to return and make an immediate impact. 

“Being in a room with a guy who did things so well but is so determined to keep getting better just shows me that you're never good enough,” Ray said. “You always got to work. There's always something you have to improve on. Being able to look to him for leadership as I was getting healthy, getting familiar with the playbook and things like that, was huge.” 

Hemby was one of three running backs in Maryland’s class of 2021. He was a standout honor roll student all four years in high school but underrated on the football field. Rivals had him as a mere two-star recruit, and 247Sports didn’t even rank him among the top 100 at his position. 

He didn’t play much as a freshman, but Hemby received his opportunity in Maryland’s 54-10 win over Virginia Tech in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. He rushed five times for 26 yards and a touchdown. 

Hemby used his redshirt, and the following season, the world was introduced to his abilities in Maryland’s week one matchup against Buffalo. He trotted for over 100 yards on seven carries and found the endzone twice. He’s been a star on the field and an even better person off the field since. 

“Roman Hemby is what this program stands for,” offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said. “He’s a tremendous young man who’s been here and played a lot of football. He just does absolutely everything the right way.”

Locksley says Hemby has even helped him recruit other student-athletes like him, referring to talented yet humble, under-recruited players from the DMV. Players like Caleb Wheatland and Kellan Wyatt are perfect examples. 

The running back has hit several major career milestones this season. He tallied 165 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns at Indiana on Sept. 28 and eclipsed 2,000 career rushing yards. On Sept. 7, against Michigan State, he reached 2,500 career all-purpose yards. In the Terps’ most recent victory over USC on Oct. 19, Hemby rushed for his 20th career touchdown to rank ninth in program history in that category. Overall, it was his 25th career touchdown, tying him for eighth most in school history.   

A star on the field, Hemby embodies Maryland football’s philosophy of doing the right thing when nobody's watching. Now, as a more vocal leader, he can encourage others to do the same. This development brings the program closer to its goal of winning championships. 

“I expect Roman to continue to build on the legacy that he started here,” Locksley said. “He's been a tremendous leader. That's how you win championships. You recruit guys like Roman.”