Maryland Football: 5 Breakout Candidates for 2015

3. QB Perry Hills, Junior

Oct 18, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Perry Hills (11) hit after throwing a pass by Iowa Hawkeyes tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat (90) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Once considered a longshot to win the starting quarterback job in College Park, Hills may now be considered the favorite. At one point, the real battle seemed to be between junior Caleb Rowe and Oklahoma State transfer Daxx Garman, but Hills has made a good impression on his teammates and the Terps’ coaching staff.

Randy Edsall said that he would give the job to whoever earns it and Hills was awarded the starting nod in the Terps’ open scrimmage this past Saturday. Hills is not unfamiliar to meaningful game action either. He started seven games as a freshman in place of the injured C.J. Brown. He finished the season with 1,336 yards and eight touchdowns.

The quarterback position is one with the most question marks heading into the new season and Maryland will need to be patient with whoever is under center in Week 1. If Hills does win the starting job, it won’t be smooth sailing with so many personnel changes having taken place. The run game is solid, but the receiving corps is still developing.

There will almost certainly be some hurdles for Hills but if the weapons around him can step up, he and this offense could surprise some people.