During one of the early practices at his first preseason camp with the Maryland football team last year, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. began to lose count of the mistakes he was making. Inaccurate throws and missed reads, among other breakdowns, led to poor body language and shaken confidence for the transfer from Wake Forest.
Incumbent starter Taulia Tagovailoa took notice, Edwards recalled recently, and instead of allowing the newcomer to wallow further, the program’s most prominent player offered a comforting embrace and words of encouragement. That triggered a bond that grew stronger this year when they were roommates for every road game.