RJ Maryland enters SMU-HCU on record watch
After SMU came back to beat Nevada, tight end RJ Maryland brushed off tying the program’s all-time touchdown mark by a tight end. He credited the players that came before him and was more focused on the fact that SMU avoided dropping its season opener.
That’s par for the course for the son of college football legend Russell Maryland. RJ’s focused on himself, working every day to be in position for a career like he’s had. Maryland’s 162 yards vs. Nevada were the most by an SMU receiver since Rashee Rice’s 180 yards at Tulsa on Oct. 29, 2022.
“It’s great to see myself grow as a player and a person for the past few years,” Maryland said. “It’s crazy just coming here, getting on campus when I was 17 and then to where I am now. Just seeing that growth is awesome.”
That growth for Maryland includes adding some 40 pounds since he enrolled on the Hilltop. He was a big recruiting win out of Southlake Carroll for head coach Rhett Lashlee as the Mustangs beat out Miami and others.
Fast forward three years and there’s depth at the SMU tight end position. Matthew Hibner, Adam Moore and Stone Eby all help Maryland stay fresh in order to make plays like he did last week, grabbing the game-winning score from quarterback Preston Stone.
“Huge, he’s huge. RJ is obviously incredibly talented,” Stone said. “I think you guys got to see that on top of that talent that he has, when we need him and when it’s the fourth quarter, he’s going to step up.”
Now tied for the record with Kylen Granson, who is catching passes in the NFL, the next touchdown for Maryland will be a record. Brashard Smith, a new addition to SMU’s team from Miami, had high praise for his teammate.
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“RJ is a dog. He literally won us that game,” Smith said. “Hats off to RJ, he’s a dog, he’s a guy.”
Stone echoed the praise of Maryland, a Mackey Award Watch List member.
“There’s a lot of really talented guys across the country, but I think there’s a small percentage of guys who can really take over a game when you really need him too,” Stone said. “RJ is definitely one of those guys.”
Don’t tell Maryland though. A true professional, whether it’s a big opponent, overmatched opponent, or even if he’s close to a record, you can count on him to prepare the same.
“We’re just worried about us. We prepare for every opponent the same,” Maryland said. “No matter who our opponent is, we’re going to prepare the same way for everybody.”
That 15th touchdown will be history for Maryland, something he’s prepared his whole life to accomplish.
