After back-to-back 4-8 seasons, head coach Michael Locksley returns for his eighth season leading Maryland football, in the highest-pressure environment he’s been in.

Locksley called 2025’s four-win campaign “different” from the previous season, citing much greater buy-in from his players. The Terps kept most things the same, but made key changes that should show progress in the wins column this season. 

“The message for us is our work needs to be louder than our words,” Locksley said. 

Maryland’s schedule projects to be tougher than in 2025, but the young team still has many winnable games. 

The Terps are favored in their first three matchups, including a highly anticipated home game against James Franklin-led Virginia Tech. In Big Ten play, they are only favored against Purdue on Nov. 7. 

Last season, the Terps won only one conference game, as did the previous season. Games against UCLA and Rutgers in College Park are winnable, as is the Oct. 3 matchup at Nebraska.

The Terps’ only Big Ten win last year, Wisconsin, also appears on the 2026 schedule.

The rest of the schedule features No. 1 Ohio State, No. 14 USC, No. 18 Penn State and Illinois. All would be considered major upsets for the Terps.

Locksley had success retaining talent. Quarterback Malik Washington, who set the Big Ten record for passing yards by a true freshman, returns to lead the team again in 2026. 

DeJuan Williams returns to the backfield as a member of the preseason Doak Walker Watch List. Both Williams and the offensive line enter 2026 with more experience, a positive sign for an offense that struggled with balance. 

In 2025, Maryland finished last in the Big Ten in both rushing yards and attempts by a wide margin. A lack of commitment to the run meshed poorly with inefficiency, as the team only managed 4.1 yards per carry on 305 carries all season. 

If the team wants to improve on last season, its rushing usage and efficiency must increase. New offensive coordinator Clint Trickett will be tasked with improving the offense around promising sophomore quarterback Malik Washington. 

“There is a point of emphasis on the running attack, don’t get me wrong,” Trickett said. “We are going to have a point of emphasis on the running back. I do like to throw the ball, though.”

The other key to the run game is the offensive line, where three of last season’s starters return. That includes Michael Hershey, who appears on the Rimington Trophy preseason watchlist for the nation’s top center. 

Texas State transfer Tellek Lockette joins the team to replace four-star transfer Aliou Bah at right guard. Former starting tackle Alan Herron graduated, leaving the right tackle position open heading into 2026. 

The biggest change comes at wide receiver, where Shaleak Knotts, Jalil Farooq and Octavian Smith Jr., who combined for 145 receptions, 1,791 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025, all graduated. Washington will be throwing to three new starting wideouts in 2026. 

One familiar pass catcher remains: tight end Dorian Fleming returns in what looks to be a larger role. The junior appears on the John Mackey Award preseason watch list. New offensive coordinator Clint Trickett described Fleming and redshirt senior Preston Howard as “1A, 1B” in the tight end room. 

“This is (Washington’s) team,” Locksley said at Maryland Football media day on Aug. 5. “He’s taken a more vocal role in leadership, where a year ago he maybe punted it off to let some of the older players that have been through some things here lead, but there’s no doubt he’s been part of every aspect of this change that we have.” 

Ted Monachino returns as the defensive coordinator in 2026 after a rollercoaster 2025 season on defense. The team looked like one of the best defenses in the country early on, but faltered late. 

The defense needs significant improvement. Maryland ranked in the bottom five in the conference against the pass and the run, despite very high tackle numbers and decent sack and tackle-for-loss numbers. 

Forcing turnovers was a bright spot, though. Maryland’s conference-leading 19 interceptions will be something the team looks to recreate in 2026. 

“We expect them to be competitive and to challenge people for the football,” said Monachino. “But now we’ve got to find ways to ramp those things up, create more fumbles, fumble opportunities, find ways to get the ball off of guys and don’t drop the missed opportunity.”

That could be a challenge, as four starting defensive backs departed after the 2025 season. Most notable is safety Jalen Huskey, as his four interceptions tied the team lead to complement his 72 tackles. Four-star freshman Darrell Carey could be the one to fill in, while Boston College transfer Amari Jackson looks like a sure start at cornerback. 

Lavain Scruggs is Maryland’s only key returning defensive back. Monachino says the defense will play 70% of its snaps with five defensive backs on the field. 

Daniel Wingate returns to lead the defense as a preseason nominee for the Bednarik and Butkus awards, as the linebacker corps remained intact after 2025. Wingate is widely regarded as the best player on the Terps’ roster before the season begins, and his play could make a huge impact on whether or not the defense improves in 2026. 

All starting linebackers and edge rushers return, although 2025 freshman All-American Zahir Mathis suffered a season-ending injury. This leaves EDGE Sidney Stewart, also a freshman All-American, without the same duo as last season. 

The addition of five-star edge Zion Elee should soften the blow of Mathis’ absence. The highest-rated commit in Maryland football history is expected to be a major contributor for the Terps in 2026. 

Nose tackle Cam Rice and four-star transfer defensive tackle Dillan Fontus are the other two starters from last season not on the team in 2026. Four transfer defensive linemen, Jayvon and Armon Parker, Lavon Johnson and Derrick LeBlanc, will help fill in their roles.

“The D-line group is going to be a work in progress because we’ve got so many new faces in that room and some that we didn’t get to see as much during the spring as we would have liked,” Monachino said. 

The elite kicking and punting unit remains, as kicker Sean O’Haire and punter Bryce McFerson will both look to build on their fantastic 2025 campaign, possibly as the one part of the team fans would be happy to see produce the same numbers. Both players are nominated for their respective position’s award watchlist.

“We obviously played a ton of young guys a year ago. And I’ve said before, those losses that we had a year ago have now become lessons for a really talented young team. And because of that, the wisdom and experience that we gained going through it, I think will benefit us.” Locksley said. 

The team has talked extensively about offseason improvements and the value of more experience, but results will need to speak for themselves. Another 4-8 season with closer losses and better leadership won’t be enough. After two years in full rebuild mode, the pressure is on for Maryland Football to show real improvement in 2026.