“We brought you here to make plays”: How A Message from Head Coach Mike Locksley Inspired Rakim Jarrett’s Career Performance
(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Every bit the Maryland football game team was leaving its hotel before last week's game against Penn Country, head passenger vehicle Mike Locksley texted freshman wide receiver Rakim Jarrett challenging him with one simple message.
"I sent him a text saying, 'hey we brought you here to make plays'," Locksley said.
Jarrett took his autobus'southward challenge to middle, igniting the Maryland offense with explosive plays that energized them and served as the catalyst for its impressive kickoff-one-half offensive output. Confronting the Nittany Lions, Jarrett finished with 5 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Those 2 touchdown receptions were the first of Jarrett'southward young career–another positive sign from Maryland'southward historic win over Penn State Saturday night.
As a result of his stellar performance, the young standout wide receiver was named the Large Ten Freshman of the Week. In addition, Jarrett became the first Maryland true freshman wide receiver to have two touchdowns and at least 100 yards in the same game since Stefon Diggs in 2012.
Yet, Saturday nighttime'south performance is no surprise to Coach Locksley and his staff. Jarrett entered the 2022 season with lofty expectations. Equally the No. 20 overall player in the 2022 recruiting grade and the No. 2 overall wide receiver, Jarrett was the Terps highest ranked recruit since Diggs in 2012.
Before committing to Maryland, Jarrett initially accepted an offer from head omnibus Ed Orgeron and the defending National Champion LSU Tigers. Afterward reconsidering, the Landover, Maryland, native opted to stay close to home and play for the Terps- a testament to the freshman'due south character, according to coach Locksley.
"When yous make a conclusion to come up to Maryland when yous could go anywhere in the land, it shows what kind of character you take," Locksley said. "Anybody that knows Rakim Jarrett knows that he's a kid who believes in himself, believes in his ability."
Non only is Jarrett confident in his ain abilities, but the players and coaching staff have great confidence in him as well. Through the first iii weeks of the season, Jarrett's involvement in the offense has steadily increased every bit he's congenital a stronger rapport with sophomore quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa.
"Rakim is a super hard worker," Tagovailoa said. "He'due south just a baller, he loves to acquire, and he loves to grow. He'south ever open to accept information and for him he's never satisfied with annihilation. He's always going to get better, whether it's a release, a route, or catching."
Oct. 30 against Minnesota, Jarrett'southward immaculate easily were on full display with several impressive catches after Tagovailoa escaped pressure. However, against the Nittany Lions on Saturday afternoon information technology was Jarrett's pristine route running and blazing speed that were evident for the nation.
On each of his touchdown receptions, Jarrett faked out the Penn State secondary. Each play, Jarrett faked like he was cut to the exterior then with quick footwork cutting dorsum inside–an impressive display of route running from the young wideout. Then once he gained separation, Jarrett saw open space and beelined across the field to the end zone.
In improver to those 2 catches, Jarrett likewise came upwards clutch in the ladder stages of the start half. With Maryland facing a critical tertiary and 6 opportunity with 1:10 remaining in the commencement half, he found a soft spot in the Nittany Lions zone defence force.
Jarrett caught the brawl just past the start-downward mark and displayed exquisite footwork with one powerful cut to the outside breaking a tackle for a 29-m gain. That pivotal conversion helped to prepare Maryland's touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the commencement half.
Maryland's lineage at the broad receiver position is well documented with players like Diggs, DJ Moore, Torrey Smith and Darius Heyward-Bey. With explosive performances like Saturday night, Jarrett is on the path to becoming ane of Maryland'due south next dandy receivers and an integral part of the offensive game programme moving forward.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/we-brought-you-here-to-make-plays-how-a-message-from-head-coach-mike-locksley-inspired-rakim-jarretts-career-performance/
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