Maryland football will enter head coach Michael Locksley’s seventh season at the helm in a spot unlike any other.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw Maryland fail to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2020, the Terps’ roster underwent significant changes.
“We talked about the frustration of the 2024 season, and because of it, we’ve had a relentless work ethic throughout our building the last 273 days,” Locksley said. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact these coaches, these new players have had in our program. And much like you guys, I’m excited to see what they do in ‘The Shell’ on Saturday.”
Thus leading to uncertainty heading into 2025.
Thirty-two members of last season’s roster departed via the transfer portal and Locksley was only able to bring in 16 incoming transfers, according to 247 Sports.
Along with losing a plethora of outgoing seniors and NFL draftees, Maryland’s roster is comprised of many players looking for a new opportunity.
“[We’ve] got a lot of young guys,” Locksley said in his Tuesday press conference. “We’ll continue to develop them throughout the season.”
An uncertain offensive outlook
The biggest question mark heading into Maryland’s season is at the quarterback position. Mike Locksley has refused to name his starting quarterback heading into Maryland’s first game against FAU, but he has premier options for the Terps’ signal-caller.
Maryland has three options at the quarterback position heading into the season: true freshman Malik Washington, UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and redshirt freshman Khristian Martin.
When asked about the availability of Washington and Justyn Martin, Locksley said, “Both are available to play Saturday. All three are available to play Saturday.”
Justyn Martin is the only option with prior collegiate experience. He appeared in three games for UCLA last season but only started against Penn State, passing 22-of-30 for 167 yards and one touchdown on the road.
Washington joins the Terps as a four-star recruit out of Archbishop Spalding and was named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman Of The Year Award Watch List.
For Khristian Martin, the only option who was on Maryland’s roster last season was one of Maryland’s spring game MVPs. He was a three-star recruit and has promising attributes for the Terps.
“The QB room, just the confidence knowing that we can win with any of those three guys. And it’s not just coach talk – we feel really good about the place that we’re in at the QB position,” Locksley said.
Maryland’s running back room features two returners who saw playing time under now-Indiana running back Roman Hemby, Nolan Ray and DeJuan Williams. Ray will most likely see the most reps for the Terps this season. He rushed for 374 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
Maryland’s receiver room will be led by a three-headed monster of two incoming transfers and a familiar face.
With Tai Felton and Kaden Prather leaving for the NFL Draft, Octavian Smith Jr. looks to take a big step in his senior season. Last season, Smith had 30 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
Oklahoma transfer Jalil Farooq comes to Maryland with an impressive resumé. In his four seasons with the Sooners, he had 89 receptions for 1,287 yards and seven touchdowns. He started 25 of his 36 appearances and could have a big season with the Terps in 2025.
Tennessee transfer Kaleb Webb spent three seasons with the Volunteers, with only 22 receptions for 214 yards and one touchdown. He looks to use Maryland as a big opportunity in his redshirt junior season.
Returners Shalek Knotts, Ryan Manning and Mekhai White could also have big impacts for Maryland at receiver.
Dorian Fleming will be Maryland’s starting tight end after transferring from Georgia State. Last season with Georgia State, he earned Second Team All-Sun Belt. He was also named to the John Mackey Award Watch List for this season.
Fleming expressed his comfort level with all of Maryland’s quarterback options in Tuesday’s press conference.
“No matter whoever goes out on Saturday, I can make plays for all three of them,” Fleming said.
Maryland’s offensive line has a chance of significantly improving from last season. A lot of last season’s offensive line transferred out and only two starters return. Aliou Bah and Alan Herron return after starting all 12 of last season’s games. The other three starting spots are uncertain.
Isaiah Wright missed all of last season with a torn Achilles after transferring in from Buffalo. He will most likely be a starter this season and could have a big impact on the offensive line.
The final two starting spots could be a plethora of different options. Maryland brought in two key FCS transfers, Rahtrel Perry from Central Connecticut State and Carlos Moore from Elon.
Michael Hershey appeared in six games last season, but did not start. The sophomore could see a promotion to the starting lineup in 2025. Ryan Howertown is another option who redshirted last season, but could have an impact on Maryland’s reinvented offensive line.
How will Maryland’s defense respond after losing key pieces?
At the conclusion of last season, Maryland lost some key defensive players at all three levels to the NFL draft, including defensive linemen Tommy Akingbesote, safety Dante Trader, and linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, among other key starters.
Maryland’s defense will have a completely different look than it has for the past few seasons.
Despite that, Maryland’s projected defensive lineup is comprised of many returners who have not seen much playing time in past seasons.
Maryland’s defensive line will have a completely different look after Akingbesote, Jordan Phillips and Donell Brown’s departure.
Neeo Avery appeared in six games last season and will likely start at defensive end. Maryland’s other key defensive end will likely be Daniel Owens, who appeared in nine games last season.
Maryland brought in key defensive tackle additions through the transfer portal. Ohio transfer Cam Rice started all 12 games for the Bobcats and recorded 30 tackles. Other defensive tackle transfers include Joel Starlings from North Carolina, Eyan Thomas from Saint Francis and Sedrick Smith, who played for South Carolina State and Alabama A&M.
Junior Dillan Fontus is the most experienced member of Maryland’s defensive line, appearing in 12 games in both of the last two seasons for the Terps, recording 14 tackles in that span.
Maryland’s linebacker core lost Hyppolite, among others, yet has many experienced returners. Daniel Wingate and Michael Harris saw a lot of playing time last season. Wingate had 50 tackles and Harris had 34, respectively.
Trey Reddick, Keyshawn Flowers and Keyari James also saw a lot of playing time and will be key linebackers for the Terps. The rest of Maryland’s linebacker core lacks significant experience.
Maryland’s defensive backs have been a consistent unit in the seven years under Locksley. This season, Jalen Huskey will return to lead Maryland’s secondary, alongside Lavain Scruggs at the safety positions.
Maryland’s cornerback group is filled with key new additions, such as the Arkansas State transfer Dontay Joyner and Wake Forest transfer Jamare Glasker. Returning sophomore La’khi Roland and redshirt freshman Braydon Lee will be important for Maryland against opposing receivers.
How will Maryland end up?
Maryland’s 2025 preseason outlook is uncertain, with Locksley and company needing to prove themselves early in non-conference play and when Big Ten play comes around.
Maryland was 4-8 last season, but a measly 1-8 in conference play. With the Big Ten continuing to get more difficult, Maryland must prove it can hang with the conference’s best.
In non-conference play, the Terps face two Group of Five opponents in FAU and Northern Illinois and one FCS opponent in Towson — three important potential confidence-boosting games for the program.
In Big Ten play, Maryland will hit the road to face Wisconsin, UCLA, Rutgers, Illinois, and Michigan State while hosting Washington, Nebraska, Indiana, and Michigan.
Maryland’s home Big Ten slate is tough, with three of the four opponents having made the College Football Playoffs in the last two seasons. The other is Nebraska, which is looking for a breakout season with quarterback Dylan Raiola.
On the road, Maryland will face tough environments in iconic places like Camp Randall Stadium, the Rose Bowl and Ford Field.
The Terps have their work cut out for them in what could be a program-defining season in 2025.
