Through the third quarter of the Ravens’ preseason opener towards the Tennessee Titans on Thursday evening, Maryland soccer coach Mike Locksley continued an annual custom that has warmed the hearts of many since he took over this system in 2019.
With Locksley and all the Terps staff standing on the nook of the sector, he awarded senior walk-on punters Anthony Pecorella and Colton Spangler with full scholarships, main to very large applause from the group at M&T Financial institution Stadium.
“That is our proper of pilgrimage,” Locksley mentioned to the group.
Final 12 months, working again Challen Faamatau obtained a scholarship from Locksley through the Ravens’ preseason matchup towards the New Orleans Saints as Faamatau took in his first NFL sport. Linebacker Greg-China Rose, who walked on to this system in 2020, additionally earned a scholarship final season, however he obtained his on the staff’s facility with NBA star Kevin Durant making the massive announcement.
Locksley couldn’t proceed his custom in 2020 as a result of the preseason was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, former linebacker Bruce Miller earned a scholarship through the Ravens’ preseason sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers, with the staff getting an opportunity to look at former Maryland defensive again Darnell Savage in motion.
Pecorella, a Malverne, New York, resident, has appeared in 28 video games whereas making 17 begins. In 2021, Pecorella punted 28 occasions for 1,232 yards for a mean of 44.0 yards per punt whereas pinning 11 punts contained in the 20-yard line. Pecorella is at present third in program historical past in profession punting common (42.4 yards per punt).
Spangler, a Chesapeake graduate from Pasadena, has made 30 appearances with 12 begins. He registered 29 punts for 1,320 yards for a mean of 45.52 yards per punt, the best single-season punting common in program historical past.
The Terps additionally received an opportunity to see former tight finish and Titans rookie Chigoziem Okonkwo and defensive sort out Sam Okuayinonu on Thursday. Okonkwo was a fourth-round decide on this 12 months’s NFL draft after 4 seasons in Faculty Park. Okuayinonu signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent.
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