MM 1.4: LB Ruben Hyppolite II to return to Maryland football

This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II announced Wednesday on social media that he will utilize his final year of eligibility and return to the program next season.

The 2024 season will be Hyppolite’s fifth with Maryland, requiring him to use an additional year of eligibility granted to all athletes after the COVID-altered 2020 season. Hyppolite, who joined the program that fall, is part of the final class with that extra year of eligibility available.

Hyppolite has been a stalwart member of Maryland’s defense since he arrived, appearing in all but five games in his four collegiate seasons. He made an instant impact as a freshman and quickly blossomed into a usual starter, becoming one of the most reliable members of the Terps’ defense over the next three years.

As a senior this past season, Hyppolite appeared in every game and recorded 66 tackles — the most among Maryland linebackers by a 22-tackle margin — 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, earning a third-team All-Big Ten selection. He ended his senior season on a high note, recording four tackles and a pass breakup in Maryland’s 31-13 win over Auburn in the Transperfect Music City Bowl.

Hyppolite donned the No. 4 jersey for the first time in the bowl game, which he claimed from Tarheeb Still after the cornerback declared for the NFL draft. Wearing a fresh number, Hyppolite will be the leader of the Maryland linebacker corps — and likely the defense — next fall.

In other news

Jack Parry wrote about Maryland women’s basketball’s first road win of the season: a 72-64 victory at Minnesota.

Emmett Siegel provided takeaways from Maryland men’s basketball’s recent loss to Purdue.

Jon Iacovacci described how former Maryland football players performed in the NFL this past week.

Former Maryland goalkeeper Zack Steffen was signed by the Colorado Rapids, finalizing a transfer from Manchester City.

Maryland football signee Ryan Howerton played in the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Florida. Howerton, an offensive lineman, played with Team Ice, which won the game, 39-9.