Investing In The Trenches

Many coaches will attest that football is a game won in the trenches. Maryland head football coach Michael Locksley has fully embraced this philosophy, investing significant resources into developing the Terps’ offensive line.

Maryland’s O-line unit has been a breeding ground for NFL talent, with three players drafted in the last two years. Additionally, several undrafted free-agent acquisitions recently proved their worth in training camps, further solidifying the team's success in developing the position. Still, Locksley welcomed two new assistants over the offseason to further help develop the foundation of the Terps’ roster. 

“We've really invested in that group with how we've added the resources on our coaching staff,” Locksley said. “But also, we've done a great job of the evaluation process, and I really feel good about how we do that.”

Maryland hired Damian Wroblewski as a full-time assistant offensive line coach in March. Wroblewski and Brian Braswell, Maryland’s offensive line coach since 2021, give the Terps two full-time coaches on the O-line. The dynamic is uncommon. However, it showcases how valuable Locksley views the position. 

Additionally, on June 25, the NCAA Division I Council approved a rule change allowing college football analysts to coach during practice and games. Previously, the number of staff members who could coach on the field was capped. However, all staff members can now provide technical and tactical instruction to student-athletes. 

Using the rule change to its advantage, Maryland hired Brian Ferentz as a senior offensive assistant in April to help coach the O-line. The additions of Wroblewski and Ferentz give the Terps three experienced coaches to speed up preparing offensive linemen for the physicality and technique that pass rushers boast in the Big Ten.

Locksley says it often takes offensive linemen fresh out of high school three years to develop fully. The process is also usually accompanied by a response to early struggles. 

“What I've tried to do is expedite their growth by how I've hired the staff,” Locksley added. “We have coach Robo coming in, gives us two full-time coaches. The rule passed where the analyst can coach. Now you throw Brian Ferentz into the mix in developing some of the younger players on our offensive line.” 

Spencer Anderson, Jaelyn Duncan and Delmar Glaze are the Terps’ trio of recent NFL Draft picks on the O-line. Anderson and Duncan were drafted in 2023, while Glaze was recently selected in April’s draft. Glaze was the highest-drafted offensive lineman during Locksley’s and Braswell’s tenure as coaches, being selected in the third round and 77th overall. All three draft picks were starters at Maryland for three or more years and spent their college careers in College Park.

Braswell takes pride in developing NFL offensive linemen and allowing them to reach the next level. From 2013-18, he coached for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns as their offensive quality control assistant. He even coached the offensive line for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020. 

“Producing multiple NFL guys means that we’ve done a good job recruiting and investing time and resources into our student-athletes,” Braswell said. “With my experience in the NFL, our system allows us to create an easy transition from college to the pros.”  

Although Anderson, Duncan and Glaze spent their entire college careers in College Park, Locksley and Braswell have historically utilized the transfer portal to address the O-line. Maryland natives Corey Bullock and Gottlieb Ayedze are perfect examples. Bullock transferred from the FCS level, and Ayedze transferred from a Division II school.

Both players played one season for the Terps in 2023 and started 10 or more games. After both went undrafted, Bullock signed with the Baltimore Ravens and Ayedze signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. According to Pro Football Focus, Bullock was the highest-rated guard throughout the preseason, with an 83.5 grade.  

Braswell explained how he approaches building depth on the O-line and developing the position through teaching fundamentals. 

“A lot of people teach just pure run off the ball, hit, be physical,” Braswell explained. “What we teach here is the fundamentals, techniques and how to do that when the person in front of you is equally talented or more talented than you are. … Technique and fundamentals are the most important in the NFL because everyone is a good player. It’s the same thing in the Big Ten.”

Wroblewski is a veteran coach with 25 years of experience at the collegiate level. Most recently, he spent five seasons as an offensive line coach at James Madison, including three as an associate head coach for offense. Ferentz came to College Park after coaching at Iowa from 2012-23. He also coached at the NFL level from 2008-11 for the New England Patriots. 

“There's no better group for teamwork than an offensive line,” Wroblewski said. “What we’ve done with the group epitomizes that, and it's not uncommon in the profession. We're going to work hand in hand. We're going to put in extra hours beforehand so that we're on the same page, we're organized and we're going to give them a lot of energy.” 

Maryland welcomed eight offensive linemen in the high school class of 2024 and four others through the transfer postal during the offseason. With the additions of Wroblewski and Ferentz, the younger student-athletes can make an earlier impact.  

“They’ll be developing, and I think a couple of them may find themselves in the two deep,” Locksley said. “But the ones that don't, when they're down preparing our defense for their game. They're not just looking at a card and running it. They're actually being coached how to step with the right step [and] how to put the hand where it needs to be.” 

Locksley and the football program’s approach is already paying dividends. In Maryland’s week one matchup against UConn, the Terps’ offensive line paved the way for 248 rushing yards while only allowing one sack. The yardage total was the highest for a Maryland team since posting 281 rushing yards in overtime against Minnesota on Oct. 30, 2020. The feat was accomplished with 11 players on the O-line earning five or more snaps. Furthermore, as a team, the Terps earned an 86.4 pass-blocking grade against the Huskies, according to PFF. 

With three experienced coaches working with the O-line unit, the Terps can continue winning upfront and resume sending offensive linemen to the pros. 

“In the past, I didn’t have any help with splitting the responsibility and taking one side or a specific group on the O-line,” Braswell said. “It reminds me of how it was when I was in the NFL. It allows those younger guys to get those reps where they wouldn’t have had them before.”