As a student at DeMatha Catholic, Anthony McFarland was used to watching film of running backs at the next level — both college and professional — and looking for techniques to add to his own game.

Now that he’s with Maryland football, McFarland hasn’t had to look far for pointers. During film review sessions, the redshirt freshman watches the Terps’ plethora of backfield options take carries and eat up yardage.

During its 3-1 start to the season, Maryland’s 1,034 yards on the ground rank third in the Big Ten, and six different players have at least 10 carries. So when asked Tuesday for his thoughts on the running back corps that he’s played a major part in, McFarland didn’t hesitate to heap on praise.

“We honestly do have the best group in the country. We all bring something [different] to the table,” McFarland said. “It’s just crazy to me how I’m learning from guys in my room, so that lets you know how special those guys are.”

[Read more: Maryland’s Tino Ellis had a fantastic game against Minnesota]

McFarland is in the midst of a breakout campaign for the Terps. He missed his senior season at DeMatha after breaking his leg and was redshirted last year as he continued his recovery. But Maryland’s top 2017 recruit has now flashed the promise originally expected of him.

Despite rushing for more than 100 yards in consecutive games and compiling a conference-high 10.8 yards per carry, McFarland hasn’t been the only standout in the backfield. Against Bowling Green, eight players combined for 444 rushing yards, and four players punched in touchdowns. Tayon Fleet-Davis ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns, including a 30-yard scamper that set up a Lorenzo Harrison score.

McFarland is used to sharing the workload — at DeMatha, he played with three future Division I tail backs. DeMatha coach Elijah Brooks said McFarland cherishes that competition, using it to fuel his own game.

“We have a great running back room where it’s like, when your number’s called, you have to make a play or the next running back will,” McFarland said. “That’s what you want, you know? And it gives us that hunger and that competition and that’s how we compete. That’s what I really love about the running back room.”

[Read more: Tre Watson helped Maryland football’s defense return to form against Minnesota]

The Terps picked up 315 rushing yards in their Big Ten-opening win over Minnesota on Saturday, despite Harrison being sidelined for the second straight week. Interim head coach Matt Canada said Harrison could have played if needed, but with ample choices at his disposal, he decided to rest the junior to ensure he’s completely healthy against Michigan on Oct. 6.

Harrison compiled over 600 yards in his first two seasons in College Park. But the Terps didn’t seem to miss a step without him, as Ty Johnson and McFarland combined for 235 yards against the Golden Gophers.

“When you have a bunch of guys pushing each other, it makes them all better,” linebacker Tre Watson said. “Having guys that you can fall back on, who you know are just as reliable and can make things happen, is as ideal as you can get.”