Depth in secondary driving Conyers during return from injury

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- With an infusion of young talent and the return of sixth-year senior Denzel Conyers, safety appears to be a major strength for Maryland entering the 2017 season. And while the newfound depth at the position is great for the secondary as a whole, it’s also a driving force in Conyers’ recovery from a torn ACL that sidelined him for most of last season.

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Conyers returns to a secondary that features fellow upperclassmen Josh Woods and Darnell Savage Jr. as well as sophomores Qwuantrezz Knight, Elijah Daniels, Antoine Brooks Jr. and freshman Markquese Bell at safety.

It certainly appears that the Terps are more stacked on the back end than they have been in quite some time, which has served as motivation for Conyers and the rest of Maryland’s safeties throughout the offseason.

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“I think it’s good; the more depth, the better we are as a team, especially on the back end,” Conyers said recently after a Terps fall camp practice. “We have to hold the defense down and we have more guys being able to have the confidence and knowing the plays and knowing the system. It just makes everybody play harder. If I come out here today and I’m slacking, I know the next guy behind me is balling, so it makes me want to play that much harder. You can’t get complacent. Complacency is the enemy. Being able to have depth and a lot of young talent keeps everybody on their toes.

“I would say the depth and our talent drives me more. When I see [other defensive backs on the team] making plays, it makes me want to go out and play harder. So I’d say the depth is definitely driving me to be stronger in my recovery. And every day I’m getting better, so I’d say it’s working out for me right now mentally.”

Conyers, who started at safety in all three games he played for Maryland last season, admitted that he’s not yet fully recovered from the knee injury that cost him most of 2016, but added that improvement has been seen with every passing day and practice.

“I can’t exactly give a percentage, but every day we come out I feel better,” Conyers said. “The coaches and training staff have me on a very strict regiment. Some days I have a heavier load than others, but every day I come out I’m honestly feeling better, running around more, making more of an improvement with me personally and making sure all of the young guys are going with me being on the field and able to communicate.”

With the Terps set to release their two-deep depth chart in short time, it will be interesting to see the pecking order at safety. However, head coach D.J. Durkin and his defensive staff are expected to keep a healthy rotation and continue the competition at the position.

“I feel like we have a strong rotation,” Conyers said. “I wouldn’t necessarily say where I’m at on the depth chart per se, but we rotate in, get everybody going. It’s very competitive, so that’s not for me to answer. That’s a Coach Durkin thing. But it’s very strong and I think we’re competing very well.”

Some of Conyers’ stiffest competition for playing time has come from two spring and fall camp standouts--Brooks and Bell.

Brooks is converting from linebacker to safety and is set to take on a hybrid, in-the-box defensive back role moving forward. He has been one of the Terps biggest playmakers this offseason and has many excited about the type of season he could have in 2017.

“[Antoine Brooks] has been balling all camp,” Conyers said. “He’s a natural player. His instincts are out of this world. I’m just excited to see him on the field because he has a lot of talent and he’s definitely going to help us on the back end. Wherever we place him on the field, he’s a true baller, high-energy guy. He’s definitely going to lay it on you. He’s been out here laying the wood.”

Despite showing immense promise as a true freshman during spring and fall camp practices, Bell will begin the season suspended indefinitely for violating the student code of conduct. He is talented enough to perhaps work his way back into the rotation as soon as he returns, but the duration of his suspension will also factor heavily into that equation.

“Markquese has adapted very well from coming from high school to college,” Conyers said. “He’s been playing fast, playing physical, and making a lot of plays for us on defense and special teams.”