Offensive tackle R.J. Dill -- whose 33 career starts topped the team -- said Monday he is leaving Maryland and intends to play elsewhere next season.
Dill becomes the third player with remaining eligibility to confirm they are leaving since the season ended. The others were running back D.J. Adams and defensive lineman David Mackall.
Dill said in a telephone interview that he didn't want to discuss the reasons for his departure. "I don't want to play a game of 'He said, she said,' " the player said.
He did say his career is not over. "I will be playing football somewhere next year, yes," Dill said.
Dill, 6 feet 7, 300 pounds, just finished his third season. He redshirted his freshman year. He started eight games in his first season, then started all 13 games as a sophomore and all 12 this past season.
Dill's career starts were the most for a Maryland offensive player since center Edwin Williams started 39 games in a row between 2006 and 2008, according to the Washington Times.
"We wish R.J. well in his future athletic and academic pursuits," head coach Randy Edsall said Monday evening. "We appreciate the commitment and effort R.J. has given to the Maryland football program."
The school had said it expected some transfers after the season, and that it considered that part of the transition from one coach to another.
Maryland's offensive line was considered one of the strongest units heading into next season because it had experienced starters returning. The unit had just one senior, captain Andrew Gonnella, who missed the last seven games with a dislocated knee. The starters expected to return are junior center Bennett Fulper, sophomore tackle Max Garcia and redshirt junior guard Justin Gilbert.
Here is Dill's statement, e-mailed from the player:
"Today I regret to inform the Terrapin faithful that my family and I have decided it would be best for me to move on with both my academic and athletic endeavors. Therefore I have requested and been granted a release from the Maryland Football program. I leave here with great memories of the University and Terp Nation. Over my four years here we as a football program have been through a lot, both highs and lows. To all the members of Terp Nation I thank you for your unwavering support from the bottom of my heart. This year was not what we all expected or hoped for, but it has been truly educational and I leave here with no regrets of my time at this great University. I wish the Maryland Football program nothing but the best. Good luck to everyone involved with the program, from my brothers on the team to Coach Edsall, Coach Bratten and the coaching staff. I will always bleed red, white, black and gold and most of all, I will always be a Terp.
Thank you,
RJ Dill."
