Versatility of Darnell Savage on full display during fall camp
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- One of Maryland’s most pleasant surprises this fall camp has been the emergence of sophomore defensive back Darnell Savage Jr., who is getting first-team reps at safety and cornerback while proving to be one of the Terps’ most versatile players.
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Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin likes defensive backs that he can interchange from cornerback to safety or from outside corner to the nickel, and Savage has no problem with being moved around the secondary.
“I feel comfortable anywhere,” Savage said at Maryland’s media day Aug. 16. “[Durkin and I] had a long talk about it and wherever he needs me to play I’ll do it. I just try to keep improving in whatever we do.”
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Savage is competing with several upperclassmen for playing time in the defensive backfield. The Newark, Del., native has mostly been rotating at safety with senior Denzel Conyers and junior Josh Woods, but Savage’s ability and willingness to play just about any position in the secondary has endeared him to his coaches.
“With Savage, it’s the athleticism that he brings,” Terps defensive backs coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim said. “You’re talking about a guy that can actually play cornerback at a high level, but if we do play man-to-man against slot receivers [with him at safety], he matches up perfectly with them. You don’t really lose anything like you would with a bigger or bulkier safety. He has a physical part to his game that has gotten tremendously better. So we definitely feel good that he’ll be a great safety.”
At 5-foot-10, 187-pounds, Savage isn’t built like a prototypical safety, however, his physicality along with the work he has put into his body since last season have shown so far in fall camp and he looks quite comfortable in that role.
Like many of the Terps these days, Savage credited Maryland’s strength and conditioning coach Rick Court with his new-and-improved frame.
“I think I have to contribute that to Coach Court,” Savage said. “He has changed a lot of our bodies. I think a lot of us went from just looking good to looking and feeling good. So I think he has played a big part in a lot of our improvement.”
Savage appeared in 10 games last season as a freshman and made his first career start in the season finale against Rutgers. He posted a career-high five tackles against the Scarlet Knights. Although some of the other Terps defensive backs that Savage is competing with for playing time have more experience, the former three-star recruit has held his own and has not conceded anything to the upperclassmen.
Of course all of Maryland’s defensive backs are vying to start and want to have an impact this season, but Savage said they remain a close-knit group throughout the competition and fully support each other’s efforts to improve.
“We have a good friendship in the backend so it’s like everything is fun and we’re competing at the same time,” Savage said. “We don’t have a problem with it. We’re all just trying to play our part and do what’s best for the team. We’re still competing and we’re still cool and everything. We’re just working hard everyday.”