Through the first two weeks of the season, wide receiver Tai Felton leads the country in receiving yards (330), sits tied for second nationally in catches (18) and is tied with two others at the top of the Big Ten with three receiving touchdowns already. The Virginia native was long expected to be a key piece in the Terps’ offense as he plays alongside longtime friend and teammate, Billy Edwards Jr. The duo will head back to their home state this weekend as Maryland looks to deny Virginia its first home win since 2008 against its former rival. Felton talks about turning the page from Michigan State, becoming a leader for the offense and his NIL image in 2024.
On his relationships with the quarterbacks
“Ever since the winter and spring, knowing that we're going to have a new just getting into getting work with all the quarterbacks, whether that was on the field, watching film, doing spot catches, just doing anything to get us 1% better every day. Even hanging out off the field, playing basketball together, going out to eat, just learning the guys on and off the field, learning their story, their personal story and stuff like that. So all that being built up from the winter, spring and summer has all came to fruition now. Just getting to know those guys on and off the field so we can be successful on the field.”
On his decision to stay close to home
“I knew a little bit about Maryland, but I didn't know too much about Maryland. I originally wanted to go to Virginia Tech coming out of high school, but I definitely knew about Stefon Diggs and D.J. Moore. I think around that time, D. J. Moore started to come out. He went first round. So, I definitely seen the lineage of the receivers those guys had and then definitely the loyalty that this coaching staff had for me. That was one of the big reasons I made my commitment to Maryland.”
On his growing confidence through his college career
“I would say a little bit of both and it's a little bit of me just going into every week, just being dedicated to get 1% better. I can always get better every week. There's always mistakes and stuff we're going to make throughout the week in games and stuff. It is my dedication to wanting to get better and I have a great team of guys who push me to get better. So when I’m seeing other guys on defense, such as Dante Trader, Glen Miller then guys on offense, such as [Kaden Prather], then [Roman Hemby] and seeing those guys work, it makes me want to improve my game every day. I have a great group of guys around me so those guys inspire me to be great every day.”
On how the team handled the loss vs. Michigan State
“The one thing is just sitting back and realizing all the work we put in. We've been working ever since January so we know nobody's perfect. No team is perfect. We know we're going to make mistakes and we ended up laying that one slip. At the end of the day, it's only week two. We still have a lot more work to put in, but we also have a lot more games to play. So, we're not gonna let one week or a couple mistakes in a game put us underground and us be moping about it and stuff of that nature. So it's all about us is going in this week ready to work and knowing that it's a new week and knowing that everything that we want is still in front of us. So just going back to work, hitting the ground hard so we can try to come back on the right end this weekend.”
On whether Felton feels responsible as a team leader
“100%. Me being a senior is definitely, it's definitely big ‘cause I'm one of the oldest guys in the receiver room now. I'm one of the oldest guys on the team now. So I know that a lot of guys are looking up to me. So me setting the example on and off the field, such as things as going to class and getting extra catches after practice and stuff of that nature. All that matters. So me being a senior, definitely one of the big things. So I'm trying to set an example for those guys every week.”
“Just telling those guys that throughout this journey we're going to make mistakes. Like I said before, nobody's perfect. You're going to have losses and mistakes that happen, but as long as we keep pushing and we keep fighting every week, starting in practice, starting in the film room throughout the week, because our preparation throughout Monday through Friday is really big. And whatever you see Monday through Friday is what you're going to see on Saturday. So one of our big mottos is the practice is to show and the show is practice. So as long as we continue to try to get 1% better every week, we'll come out on the right end on the weekend.”
On entering the 2024 season as a proven weapon
“One big thing I worked on this offseason is my mental aspect of the game, how I go into the games. Myself, confidence, how I talk to myself, and stuff of that nature. But once again, it just me wanting to do it for my guys. I put in a lot of work with this team and the culture, the player-led driven culture that we have built throughout this offseason, it's just me wanting to do my job, me wanting to do for, do it for my brother next to me. So just seeing the work that all my guys put in. This is really a team that's really close to my heart. So it's just me wanting to go out there and play for my guys and play for the coaches 'cause I know they have belief in me and I have all the belief in all my guys. So 100% that mental aspect and then me wanting to work for my brothers.”
On the confidence around QB Billy Edwards Jr. through the team
“One thing about Billy and I've been knowing Billy since high school, we're from the same area. We played each other in high school and one thing I kind of realized about him is his determination to get better every day. He's a guy who comes into work every day. He's up here, he's one of the first guys in the facility in the morning and one of the last guys to leave at night. He doesn't leave the facility till 11 o'clock, 12 o'clock at night, just watching film. So his determination to be destined for greatness is definitely one thing that's big about him and then just his care and love for the guys. He's checking up on anybody on the team, whether if you're a starter or whether if you're a three on the team. He cares for everybody on the team. So it's just great to have a guy like him as a leader in our room.”
On whether there’s extra juice playing a Virginia team on Saturday
“Me growing up in Virginia, going to Stone Bridge, knowing a lot of Virginia Tech people. I actually have some friends. One of my good friends in high school, Burke McFarlane, he plays lacrosse at UVA. Okay. I know Chico Bennett and a couple guys from my area. So me just going back to the home state and playing down there is definitely going to be big. I know it's going to be a highly competitive game. Me knowing some guys on the Cavalier team. So it definitely big me going back to the home state and having to play a night game and an old rivalry game and stuff of that nature. So it definitely be a big, a highly competitive game for sure.”
On NIL in 2024
“It's huge. It's definitely a huge blessing because a lot of people they see all the money, all the NIL stuff. But at Maryland, we do a great job of us getting to the community, getting into the youth, being able to have a relationship with younger kids, grade school kids. Whether that's giving them advice about football, giving them advice about life, playing basketball with them in the playground and stuff like that. So it's definitely giving me an opportunity to tap in and grow and build relationships with guys and the youth and in the community. So, I would say definitely a huge blessing just to have that in my circle.”
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