Wes Brown will enter the Terps' already-deep running back mix

The Terps have featured a four-player mix led by true freshman Lorenzo Harrison (69.3 yards a game, 6.5 yards a carry, 3 TDs) and including three others that average better than 6.1 yards. Into that mix comes Brown, a 6-foot-1 217-pound senior from Baltimore.

In three seasons at Maryland, Brown has been one of the team's most versatile running backs. As a sophomore in 2014, Brown rushed 103 times for 356 yards and six touchdowns, while catching 21 passes for 198 yards.

Off-field issues twice interrupted Brown's career.

Brown missed the entire 2013 season after he was suspended by the university despite charges stemming from an off-campus incident being dropped by Prince George's County police.

After sitting out the last two games of last season, Brown was suspended for the first three games this season for violation of the university's student-athlete conduct code.

Aware of the off-field issues that have plagued the former three-star prospect, first-year coach DJ Durkin said Tuesday that he has been impressed with Brown's effort since returning for spring practice.

"Wes has been outstanding," Durkin said. "If you came out to a practice at any point this season, you would have no idea that he hasn't been able to play in the games, just based off of how he practices. I'm really proud of Wes. He has taken on a leadership role on our team Now that he's able to play this week, he's having an even better week of practice. He'll be in the mix at the running back position this week. He'll be part of the rotation."

The running back-by-committee approach is just one position that Durkin and offensive coordinator Walt Bell plan to rotate more than the typical number of players.

"I think we're doing a good job of getting a lot of guys involved," Durkin said. "We're using six or seven receivers, and five or six running backs. We're even rotating guys on the offensive line. Everyone understands that they have a role. Everyone understands that the way that they practice affects how big that role is. There's always motivation behind how you practice. That's a big part of our program."

On Saturday, Brown will again be a part of it.

don.markus@baltsun.com

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