Maryland football players are getting paid. Here’s how they’re spending it.

COLLEGE PARK Less than a month removed from a historic settlement between the NCAA and Congress that paved the way for universities to pay their athletes for the first time, Maryland football players said they have already received their first distributions.But they insist that the money has not changed them or their objective this fall.Not in the locker room, junior defensive end Dillan Fontus said.

It changes peoples situations at home.

It gives them an opportunity to support their families a little bit more than they have in the past.

And its on the books.

So there are no complications or issues like that.

Other than helping out families and giving them the chance to live the lifestyle they want with maybe things they werent able to afford before, in the locker room, its the same shoulder pads, the same helmets.

It hasnt changed anything in that aspect.Per the NCAAs House settlement, athletic programs can now dispense up to $20.5 million to their players.

The windfall represents a dramatic departure from the collegiate bodys longstanding amateur model but could level a playing field that was tilted away from the Terps, according to coach Michael Locksley.It closes the gap between what we had a year ago to what well have moving forward, he said.

And to me, thats a good thing because I think if you look at the way weve recruited, the way we evaluate, the system that we have in place for acquiring players, having the resources to do it, Id be lying if I didnt tell you we lost players because maybe we didnt have enough.In light of the new revenue-sharing plan, what have some of the football players spent their money on? Here is a sampling cultivated from the teams media day at SECU Stadium on Wednesday: Linebacker Neeo Avery said he squirreled away his first distribution.

Money runs out quicker than you think, the redshirt sophomore from Glen Burnie said.

Youve got to save it for a rainy day.

Asked why he didnt purchase some new clothes or sneakers, Avery pointed to the Maryland polo shirt and track pants he wore.

I wear team-issued gear, he said with a laugh.

Thats all I need.

Wide receiver Jalil Farooq took some of his new funds and bought a used Mercedes Benz.

Thats something I definitely treated myself with, said the Oklahoma transfer who grew up in Prince Georges County.

Its a blessing to be in this position.

Farooq said he didnt purchase the car to be flashy.

I feel like my hard work paid off and that I deserved that, the senior said.

Other than that, Im trying to save and be smart.

Tight end Dorian Fleming, like Farooq, spent a portion of his check on a used Mercedes Benz.

Nothing too crazy, the Georgia State transfer said.

Something comfortable, something that I like.

The redshirt sophomore said he plans to put the rest of the money into his portfolio.

I want to get into some real estate eventually, he said.

But so far, Im just saving it away.

Defensive end Dillan Fontus said his biggest expense was paying rent on his apartment.

Thats one thing that I did learn a long time ago, he said.

When the amount of money you get changes, you dont have to change your bills.

Asked why he didnt splurge and buy himself a new video game system, for example, Fontus replied, I got that with the NCAA game, he said, referring to the $600 players received from last summers release of EA Sports College Football 25 in exchange for the players name and likeness.

That got me right.

As for everything else, straight into the savings account.

Running back Nolan Ray bought new clothes and enjoyed a meal at a nice restaurant he declined to name.

The rest will go into savings, the redshirt sophomore said.

Im not going to say Im frugal or anything, but Im not a big spender, he said.

Nothing too crazy.

Safety Lavain Scruggs also took the practical route with his newfound riches.

I paid rent, he said.

The redshirt junior who grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Spalding said he has an eye toward the future.

Im a big saver, he said.

Ill save all my payments.To help players, the team invited financial planners in the spring to lay out several options with a particular emphasis on saving or investing their money.

Every player interviewed said he has hired a planner, manager or accountant to help assist them with making smart decisions.

And family members and close friends serve as sounding boards.I have a lot of people around me that help me take care of those things, so that Im thinking smart and what to do with it and what not to do with it, Fleming said.

The main thing I always hear is, Dont blow it.

...

I hear that from my parents.

They drill that into my head.

My mom and my dad, they wont allow me to do that.Related ArticlesMaryland football to embrace the unknown amid pessimism from outsidersMaryland lawmakers resubmit bill inspired by former Terps OL Jordan McNairMaryland alumni team gets knocked out of TBT by West Virginia alumni squadMaryland mens basketball unveils 2025 nonconference scheduleQ&A with Maryland mens basketball coach Buzz WilliamsWith the great power of the American dollar comes the great responsibility of living up to the expectations of those payments.

The players might feel a need to prove themselves worthy of their checks, Farooq said.Now that we are getting paid, we are pros, and weve got to treat it that way because I feel like you got paid based off of your potential, and now its time to show what youre capable of, he said.

Youve got to be the same guy you claim to be and basically step into those shoes and become the man you say you are.The players insisted that they dont compare their W-2s with those of their teammates.

Instead, their priority is blending their talents to help the Terps bounce back from last years 4-8 record and return to a bowl game for what would be the fourth time in the past five years.Were all still brothers, Scruggs said.

We win together, and we lose together.

Thats how we go about it.

...

I think weve all just got to do our jobs.

Just play ball.

Thats all it comes down to.Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun..

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