Maryland football running back Roman Hemby is entering the transfer portal, 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz first reported on Monday.
The redshirt junior rushed for 607 yards on 4.5 yards per carry this season. Those were his lowest tallies since his first season as a starter in 2022.
Hemby’s decision comes after redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. entered the portal last week and committed to Wisconsin Monday. Coach Michael Locksley is tasked with replacing two key starters.
The Terps have a stable group of young running backs led by redshirt freshman Nolan Ray. Ray rushed for 374 yards this season and is known to be an explosive runner.
Ray could be joined in the backfield by freshman DeJuan Williams, who was a prized 2023 class recruit from St. Frances Academy, along with incoming three-star recruit Iverson Howard.
[Maryland football quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. enters transfer portal]
Hemby, an Edgewood native, generated 3.76 yards after contact in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. That number dropped to 2.98 this season.
But the Terps’ offense didn’t help Hemby. Their offensive line was extremely poor in run blocking, rarely opening up holes for the running back. Maryland also trailed in nearly every game, making it difficult to establish a consistent running game.
Hemby scored the second-most rushing touchdowns by a Terp freshman in 2022 with 10. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards that season and caught more than 30 passes.
Locksley called Hemby an integral part of the Terps’ offense across the past three seasons.
“The value that Roman Hemby has contributed to this program, you can’t put a price tag on it,” Locksley said in November. “I hate that maybe he’s looked like he didn’t have a great year this year, but if you look at what he’s done for us in a tough year, he’s worth everything that he’s earned this year.”
