Week 3: Tai Felton, Maryland

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photo courtesy maryland athletics

University of Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton, who starred at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Week after his third straight 100-yard performance led the visiting Terrapins to a 27-13 victory over Virginia this past Saturday night.

Felton, a senior who made 19 starts entering this season, has blossomed into one of the nation’s top performers in the early part of the season. On Saturday, he caught nine passes for 117 yards and one touchdown, helping the Terrapins rally from a halftime deficit.

“It was definitely cool being back in the home state and getting a W,” Felton said, noting that he had several high school friends in attendance. “One thing I worked on the whole offseason is my mental state and how I go about things off the field and on the field. Of course I have [personal] goals but the main goal is to win as many games as I can with this team.”

Through the season’s first three games, Felton has totaled 27 catches for 447 yards and four touchdowns – ranking about the nation’s top five in each of those categories. He also has set career-highs for catches in a game (11 vs. Michigan State) and yards receiving in a game (178 vs. U-Conn.).

“The best thing about him is how persistent he has been,” Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards said. “He knew he had to wait his turn and play special teams … he kept pushing and pushing and now the golden opportunity is in front of him.

“He’s as physically gifted as they come and he’s really got his head on straight this year. He knows it’s going to be a long season and he’s just trying to get better one day at a time and you obviously see the results he’s able to have.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week College Honor Roll:

  • Liberty DE TJ Bush Jr. (Freedom-Woodbridge) made five tackles with 1 ½ sacks and broke up two passes as the Flames beat UTEP, 28-10.

  • Robert Morris RB Tyvon Edmonds Jr. (Bishop McNamara) rushed 19 times for 133 yards and one touchdown as the Colonials beat Mercyhurst, 55-28.

  • Frostburg State QB Myles Fulton (Old Mill) completed 13 of 20 passes for 350 yards and five touchdowns as the Bobcats beat West Liberty State, 57-23.

  • Averett LB Tre’ Maxwell (Centreville) made nine tackles with two tackles for loss and broke up two passes as the Cougars beat Greensboro, 27-20.

  • Villanova RB Isaiah Ragland (South Lakes) rushed 17 times for 141 yards as the Wildcats beat Towson, 14-13.

  • Howard QB Jaylon Tolbert completed 23 of 41 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns as the Bison beat Morehouse, 35-21.

  • Maryland S Dante Trader tied his career-high with 11 tackles and intercepted a pass as the Terrapins held Virginia scoreless in the second half for a 27-13 win.

  • Georgia State QB Christian Veilleux (Bullis) completed 26 of 41 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 25-yard score with 15 seconds left, and rushed for a touchdown as the Panthers beat Vanderbilt, 36-32.