The spring semester began this week.

And that means the football program gets some new guys.

Two of last year's commits --- linemen Cody Blue and Zach Kerr --- have enrolled after a semester at a prep school, according to a team spokesman. So too have defensive end DeOnte Arnett and linebackers Darin Drakeford and Avery Murray.

Getting into school early is far from a guarantee of playing time. But regardless of where Drakeford and Murray fit in, they are going to get a ton of work during spring practice.

Consider that Maryland loses five of its top eight linebackers from last year's two deep --- Chase Bullock, Rick Costa, Trey Covington, Moise Fokou and Dave Philistin. Then, consider that Alex Wujciak and Ben Pooler will both sit out after undergoing knee surgeries.

That leaves Adrian Moten, Derek Drummond, redshirt freshman Demetrius Hartsfield, maybe Drew Gloster and some walk-ons returning at linebacker.

That, obviously, is not a plethora of linebackers.

As a result, Drakeford and Murray seem like good bets to earn a whole lot of work when spring practice begins in another eight weeks.

--- Patrick Stevens

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