Maryland football head coach Michael Locksley and starting quarterback Malik Washington praised the team’s updated receiving corps at Tuesday’s press conference.
After losing all three 2025 starters to graduation, the Terps will rely on a new group. Transfers Chris Durr Jr., from Wyoming, and Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, from Old Dominion, join the Terps after strong seasons in the Group of Five.
“I mean, Chris Durr, I don’t think he has a bad day on the practice field and enjoys it,” Locksley said. “[Durr] loves the art of getting better. Loves the art of development. Na’eem [Abdul-Rahim] Gladding is another one of those guys. [Gladding] has shown a tremendous amount of maturity for a new player as part of our leadership council.”
Gladding had the more productive 2025 season, leading his team with 51 receptions for 667 yards and six touchdowns. He earned an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention for his play. His size makes him a versatile threat. At 6 feet tall and 193 lbs, he can play on the outside, in the slot, or in the screen game as a yards-after-catch player.
When asked about who will be the breakout player of the season on Inside Maryland Sports’ 2026 season kickoff podcast, Locksley said, “13 on offense,” which is Durr Jr.
Durr Jr. had 45 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns on one of the worst offenses in the nation last season. At 5-foot-11 and 173 pounds, he will likely operate out of the slot for Maryland.
Their development is key to Maryland’s offensive success in 2026. Offensive coordinator Clint Trickett emphasized his excitement to utilize Washington’s talent to the fullest and the only way that can happen is for receivers to make plays for him.
Redshirt senior Kaleb Webb rounds out the top unit. In his first year with the Terps, he was sixth on the team in receiving yards. His 6-foot-5, 203-pound frame will make him a great target on the outside and especially in the red zone.
“They’ve grown as leaders too,” Washington said when asked about the new receivers. “They’re not . . . as reserved as they were, which I appreciate just because of the fact that they’re starting to find their place within the team.”
Leadership will be essential after the departure of Octavian Smith Jr., Shaleak Knotts, and Jalil Farooq.
Webb is the only projected starting receiver with experience catching passes from Washington. The redshirt senior transferred from Tennessee before 2025 and played all 12 games for Maryland as a redshirt junior.
The talent replacement shouldn’t be a big issue for Maryland. The 2025 production can be attributed more to volume than talent, as the team led the nation in drops, and separation was inconsistent once competition ramped up. Washington led the Big Ten in pass attempts last season.
The talent turnover is still somewhat unclear. Locksley mentioned trying to bring back Smith Jr. before the Big Ten banned players on NFL contracts from returning to college, which is telling about where his head is at with the receiving corps.
Offensive Coordinator Clint Trickett was vague about the depth chart at Maryland Football media day in early August.
“There’s a group of about five to six …, who’s the ones, who’s the twos? We’re not sure,” Trickett said. “But obviously Kaleb Webb returning; very happy with him. Chris Durr and Na’eem [Gladding], we went and did a really good job of getting them from Group of Five success.”
At that time, it didn’t seem like anyone had truly separated, but the recent praise for Gladding, Durr Jr., and Webb is a positive development before week one.
The new receivers’ contributions are something to watch as the season progresses. Maryland’s success hinges on their ability to replace last season’s production.
