Harrison could have early impact for Terps
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland’s backfield appears crowded enough that it would take a highly talented true freshman to crack the rotation and receive a significant number of carries in their first year. But former Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic star running back Lorenzo Harrison might just be that kind of player.
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The 5-foot-8, 193-pound Harrison has received rave reviews from the Terps coaching staff in fall camp and is proving to be a player that could have an early impact in College Park.
“I think I’m transitioning pretty well,” Harrison said. “It’s a lot different than high school but I think I’m doing a great job of getting accustomed to everything. I think it’s been decent so far but I definitely have it improve on a lot of stuff and just keep working hard and try to fight my way up the depth chart.”
The Hillcrest Heights, Md., native added that pass blocking is where he’s looking to improve the most moving forward. It doesn’t matter where Harrison ends up on Maryland’s depth chart, the shifty runner and all-around playmaker is looking to make his presence felt right away.
“Wherever they need me to help,” Harrison said. “It might be special teams. It might be tailback. Whatever they need me to do is what I’ll be doing this season.”
While all the Terps’ freshmen are still learning to adapt to the college game, head coach D.J. Durkin pointed to the four DeMatha newcomers--Harrison, Tino Ellis, D.J. Turner and Terrance Davis--specifically as first-year players who have impressed early on, calling the former Stags ”big time” at Maryland’s media day Aug. 16.
“It’s good to hear that from the head coach and see that he’s recognizing that we’re working hard and trying to impress and show what we can do,” Harrison said.
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Offensive coordinator Walt Bell echoed those thoughts at Maryland’s media day, noting that all four DeMatha freshmen have a chance to be special, particularly Harrison.
“I feel like all four of those kids have a chance to be special,” said Bell. “Terrance (Davis)--LoLo is going to have a chance to be a really, really, really special player. I’m sure if you kind of ask questions around the building, you will see some brights smiles on people’s faces when they ask you about LoLo. And then DJ and Tino as well, so all four of those DeMatha kids are going to be special. Which just shows you how special this area is, this footprint in recruiting. If we keep those kids home, we’ll build a program.”
Having his former high school teammates and longtime friends become his college teammates has made Harrison’s transition to college football easier and more enjoyable.
“It feels great actually because we were already all really close with each other and just coming up here makes it easier to go through things together,” Harrison said. “Anything that’s hard we can all work through it together, so I’m glad that they’re here with me.”
Harrison was named to the Washington Post’s All-Metro First Team as a senior last year and helped lead DeMatha to the WCAC championship game. But he knows that he can’t rely on his high school accolades to earn him playing time. He’s ready to put in the work and make a name for himself in college.
“Whatever happened in high school is out the door now so I basically have to prove myself all over again,” Harrison said. “I’m more than willing to do that and I’m really looking forward to showing everybody what I can do.”
Harrison is only looking forward in terms of his own career, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t go back to his old stomping grounds every once in awhile to catch up with some old friends and teammates. After all, DeMatha is just a few miles down the road from Maryland’s campus.
“I talk to them a lot actually,” Harrison said. “A few weeks ago I was up at DeMatha for about two or three days. And we were just hanging out, working out a little bit and just talking about life and talking a little bit of recruiting. I was asking them where their heads were and things like that. So I do talk to them, pretty often actually.”