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Maryland Football: JaJuan Dulaney could finally start

By Chris Bengel

Nov 1, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; General view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet on the field prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Maryland defeated Penn State 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; General view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet on the field prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Maryland defeated Penn State 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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There’s quite the battle brewing for Maryland’s two starting offensive guard spots and JaJuan Dulaney is in the thick of it.

After being a reserve during the bulk of his collegiate career, Dulaney could finally get his chance to start in 2016.

The Terrapins lost guards Ryan Doyle and Andrew Zeller to graduation following the 2015 campaign. During fall camp, the likes of Quarvez Boulware, Dulaney, Mike Minter, and Maurice Shelton are competing for the two starting jobs at guard.

Dulaney has seen time running with the ones throughout fall camp. When the Big Ten Network visited campus last Thursday, Dulaney was the starter at one of the guard spots with Shelton lined up opposite him.

Minter and Shelton started a combined five games last season, but didn’t see the field a whole lot prior to that. That’s one factor that certainly weighs in Dulaney’s favor as the season approaches.

Dulaney was rated as a three-star prospect by most recruiting services. He ended up spending the first two years at Maryland without seeing the field.

In 2015, he appeared in five games as a reserve lineman. Dulaney made his collegiate debut against Penn State on Oct. 24.

While his primary position is guard, he also has the ability to slide over to tackle if necessary. During his time at McEachern High School (Ga.), Dulaney displayed his versatility as he lined up at both spots.

He’s a very physical blocker that is able to pull and help pave the way for the running backs. It’s also quite often that he puts opposing linemen to the turf.

As was mentioned above, Dulaney has run with the first unit along with Shelton throughout the bulk of fall camp. Despite not playing much under Randy Edsall, Dulaney certainly could see the field with D.J. Durkin having open competition for just about every position on the roster.

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After sitting behind some very talented guards during his Maryland career, Dulaney looks to be ready to take on a starting role. If he can continue to have a good fall camp, this is a player that may have been very underrated throughout the recruiting process.

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