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Quick hits from Maryland's Friday morning practice

University of Maryland football team held media day for the 2016 season. (Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun video)

COLLEGE PARK — Maryland wrapped up another practice of fall camp Friday morning, bringing the Terps another day closer to the start of the season. The public will get their first look at coach DJ Durkin's squad at Saturday morning's open scrimmage, and the Terps will take the field in earnest for their season opener against Howard on Sept. 3.

Here are some quick hits and updates from the morning's session:

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> Defensive back Denzel Conyers was released from the hospital after he was treated for a concussion Thursday.

> Junior Jesse Aniebonam missed practice with an illness, while redshirt sophomore Melvin Keihn (Gilman) was wearing a yellow noncontact jersey and was limited. Aniebonam and Keihn are both competing for the starting job at the "buck" position, a hybrid between defensive end and outside linebacker.

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"[Aniebonam] was sick and I expect him to be back tomorrow," Durkin said.

Maryland DB Denzel Conyers, who was taken from practice Thursday in an ambulance, was treated for concussion and released from the hospital, DJ Durkin said.

> Cornerback JC Jackson was also wearing a yellow noncontact jersey during practice. Durkin said how much Keihn and Jackson -- along with the rest of the players on the roster -- participate in Saturday's scrimmage remains to be determined.

"All of our guys in terms of scrimmaging and all that are all kind of an individual basis of how much they do, what they do," Durkin said. "Obviously we're all just doing what's best for the team and what guys do and what reps. We'll meet on that as a staff and we'll figure out who's going to do what."

There have been plenty of words and phrases like "buy in" or "culture change" thrown around at Maryland since DJ Durkin became coach back in early December. And many times, those can be empty placeholders filled with ambiguity to distract from any real meaning. But at Maryland, it appears that there is a distinct drive behind those words. In a program that went 23-39 over the past five seasons, the Terps are simply tired of losing, so they've responded to Durkin and his staff's message and

> Senior Caleb Rowe returned to practice at quarterback. Durkin said he's been practicing "a couple days now," but this was the first time Rowe had practiced at a session open to media. He worked with the second team -- while senior Perry Hills worked with the first team -- and looked sharp displaying some zip on his throws.

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"Caleb's doing well," Durkin said. "He's all along been at all our meetings, all that. Obviously, he's got a good idea of what he's doing and it's good to have him back out there."

> Wide receiver Taivon Jacobs (undisclosed injury) missed practice again, and there's no target date for his return, though Durkin said Tuesday that he expected him back soon.

> Sophomore Nnamdi Egbuaba (St. Frances) and freshman Dion Goldbourne both filled in for Aniebonam and Keihn with the first-team defense and flashed some raw athleticism in rushing the passer.

"Dion provides us some good pass rushing ability," Durkin said. "I said at the beginning of camp and I'll say it again, every guy has an opportunity to earn spots out here. We're not going to have a guy sitting on the sideline all day and not getting that chance. You're going to get reps at some point. Go make them count and if you do, you're going to get more reps. That's the mentality and so we've had a lot of guys that have done that. They've made the most of their reps and they'll continue to get more."

But based off the limited view of Maryland in practice this week, there are still some educated guesses that can be made about what the Terps will look like.

> Hills appears entrenched with the first team, and freshmen Tyrrell Pigrome and Max Bortenschlager were each given opportunities to work with the second team. During the tempo period of practice, Bortenschlager connected with senior Levern Jacobs and Teldrick Morgan on long touchdown passes.

> Wide receivers D.J. Moore and DeAndre Lane both made impressive catches on tough throws from Hills during seven-on-seven passing drills.

> Pigrome made an impressive throw through traffic to sophomore wide receiver Jahrvis Davenport for a touchdown during passing drills.

"Jahrvis is a guy on the fringe of just getting it, you know?" Durkin said. "He has those moments. He had a really good day today and I think that'll just boost his confidence. He's got ability. We'd love for him to come on and really help us and he has that opportunity. I want to see him just keep building on today and keep going with it because he did a really good job."

> Durkin complimented junior Shane Cockerille (Gilman) on his continued transition to linebacker.

"Shane, ability-wise, he's an extremely talented player," Durkin said. "It's learning the position and techniques ... and he is. He's doing it. Shane's a dedicated guy. He really cares. He cares about his performance. He's committed to doing the right thing, so he'll continue to grow and get better. He's making those improvements throughout camp."

Melvin Keihn and Josh Woods were on opposite sides of the historic Gilman-McDonogh rivalry during their prep careers and now, the two will suit up on the same defense.

> Three-star Potomac running back Tayon Fleet-Davis, who committed to Maryland last month, was in attendance at practice.

> Scouts from the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders were present for the early portion of practice.

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