It didn’t matter that he was young. It didn’t matter that he had to adjust to college. It didn’t even matter that Maryland football went 2-3 in his first season — though it was shortened by COVID-19.
Ruben Hyppolite II had the mindset of a leader and trusted the process.
Now, many know his name. Hyppolite has been a commanding presence at linebacker for the last for seasons. In 2023, he finished second on the team with 66 tackles, while posting 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. His peers also voted him team captain.
Hyppolite’s commitment to Maryland was an easy decision, although it wouldn’t have been for many four-star recruits. The Terps were coming off a 3-9 season and Maryland was a plane ride away from home. But the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native was eager to be part of head coach Michael Locksley’s rebuilding efforts.
The shortened season that followed wasn’t much better. But the 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker remained unfazed, while adapting to the college game.
“The speed was the main difference. It wasn’t [the] football. Football is football,” Hyppolite said.
For Hyppolite and his teammates, rebuilding the program started with establishing a culture, and that culture began with each player identifying who they were on and off the field.
So who did Hyppolite turn to for guidance?
“I really looked toward myself,” Hyppolite said. “[But defensive coordinator] Brian Williams … Fa’Najae Gotay when he was here … those two guys really helped me understand just the college landscape and what I needed to do.”
Hyppolite knew he was a leader from the beginning. He didn’t wait to gradually grow into the role, he knew he needed to make an immediate impact.
Hyppolite came to Maryland with natural ability, ranked as the 19th-best outside linebacker in his class, according to 247Sports. In his first few years, he relied on that talent, but soon became a student of the game, refining his skills and understanding the nuances of linebacker play.
As time passed and his experience grew, Hyppolite became more prepared to excel on game day. He also added 15 pounds, which made him even more effective against the run.
When the linebacker room thinned out during the offseason — with players like Gotay and Jaishawn Barham leaving via the transfer portal — Hyppolite stepped up as the leader of the unit.
He did not skip a beat.
So far in 2024, he is second on the team in tackles with 17, including a game-high eight against Michigan State and a team-high six against Villanova. Against UConn, he notched his first career interception, displaying his versatility.
“My speed is my number one skill set,” Hyppolite said. “There’s not a linebacker in the country that’s faster than me and I truly believe that.”
His teammates also recognize his efforts, both on and off the field. Fellow linebacker Caleb Wheatland praised Hyppolite’s growth over the last three years, highlighting not just his skills, but also his natural leadership abilities.
“Just having that aspect of him being in the room, especially for me, being a young guy when I came in and having him as a leader, [it] really helped me become who I am today,” Wheatland said.
The coaches have also taken notice of Hyppolite’s passion and growth Williams said Hyppolite is now in a position to set an example for younger players.
“He’s the old man in the room, so [he’s] really getting to express his leadership qualities and skills,” Williams said in July. “He’s playing a lot faster, he’s seeing things a lot better and he’s knowing how and when to utilize his speed. He’s gotten stronger in the weight room, so he’s playing with more power. It’s like a cheat code to have him right now.”
Things could have been different for Hyppolite had he chosen a different program. He received offers from Penn State, Michigan, LSU, West Virginia and Auburn. With his attitude and work ethic, he could have flourished anywhere.
But he has no regrets about choosing Maryland. Hyppolite expresses gratitude for the relationships he’s built and the opportunities provided.
“[Maryland]’s meant a lot,” Hyppolite said. “Being able to be a pivotal piece, changing the way that Maryland football has been viewed from 2020 to now, [it’s] been great, … [it’s] been an honor.”
