During the third quarter of the Ravens’ preseason opener towards the Tennessee Titans on Thursday evening, Maryland soccer coach Mike Locksley continued an annual custom that has warmed the hearts of many since he took over this system in 2019.
With Locksley and the whole Terps crew standing on the nook of the sphere, he awarded senior walk-on punters Anthony Pecorella and Colton Spangler with full scholarships, main to large applause from the gang at M&T Bank Stadium.
“This is our right of pilgrimage,” Locksley mentioned to the gang.
Last yr, working again Challen Faamatau obtained a scholarship from Locksley through the Ravens’ preseason matchup towards the New Orleans Saints as Faamatau took in his first NFL recreation. Linebacker Greg-China Rose, who walked on to this system in 2020, additionally earned a scholarship final season, however he obtained his on the crew’s facility with NBA star Kevin Durant making the large announcement.
Locksley couldn’t proceed his custom in 2020 as a result of the preseason was canceled as a result of coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, former linebacker Bruce Miller earned a scholarship through the Ravens’ preseason recreation towards the Green Bay Packers, with the crew getting an opportunity to observe former Maryland defensive again Darnell Savage in motion.
Pecorella, a Malverne, New York, resident, has appeared in 28 video games whereas making 17 begins. In 2021, Pecorella punted 28 instances for 1,232 yards for a mean of 44.0 yards per punt whereas pinning 11 punts contained in the 20-yard line. Pecorella is at the moment third in program historical past in profession punting common (42.4 yards per punt).
Spangler, a Chesapeake graduate from Pasadena, has made 30 appearances with 12 begins. He registered 29 punts for 1,320 yards for a mean of 45.52 yards per punt, the very best single-season punting common in program historical past.
The Terps additionally acquired an opportunity to see former tight finish and Titans rookie Chigoziem Okonkwo and defensive deal with Sam Okuayinonu on Thursday. Okonkwo was a fourth-round choose on this yr’s NFL draft after 4 seasons in College Park. Okuayinonu signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com