Five instant-impact Maryland football newcomers

If ever there was a time for a newcomer to make an immediate impact in College Park, the 2016 season would be it as the Terps try to rebound from last year’s 3-9 record.

With fall camp now getting underway, Terps head coach D.J. Durkin is in the process of figuring out what kind of roster he’s working with and is giving every player a chance to compete for playing time. Starting new with a blank slate, Durkin could be more likely to play guys that just arrived at Maryland, and several new Terps appear to be in line for major roles in 2016.

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TSR ranks the top five newcomers that are primed to have an instant impact in College Park this season.

5. Adam McLean, DL

Originally a 2015 Maryland pledge who had to reclass to 2016, McLean has had the Terps faithful anxiously waiting to see him in a Maryland uniform since last season and could see the field early in his career in College Park.

The 6-foot-2, 313-pound Gaithersburg, Md. native brings much-needed bulk to Maryland’s defensive line and McLean’s versatility allows the Terps to utilize him on the interior and the edge. Maryland has some depth at defensive end, but defensive tackle still remains a bit of a question mark, which should equate to solid playing time for the true freshman.

McLean was a consensus four-star recruit and former Under Armour All-American out of Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard. Rivals ranked McLean as the best defensive tackle and number two overall player from the state of Maryland for the 2015 class.

4. Wade Lees, P

Punters don’t often get though of as having a huge impact on any team, but the importance of flipping the field after a failed offensive possession can’t be stressed enough.

After unreliable punting last season, Maryland now has the leg of Lees, a 27-year-old true freshman punter who’s an experienced Australian League Football player, to pin opposing teams back in their own territory.

The poor punting in 2015 didn’t do the Terps defense any favors and getting some consistency in that area would help take a lot of pressure off of defensive coordinator Andy Buh’s players.

Lees will have to win the starting punting job outright in fall camp first, but with underwhelming competition, there’s no reason to think he won’t. A reliable punter seems to be the missing piece to Maryland’s special teams and the Terps are hoping Lees can be the perfect fit.

3. Trey Edmunds, RB

The backfield is a bit muddled in College Park with at least three running backs figuring to carry the ball a fair amount for the Terps. Edmunds, a senior and transfer from Virginia Tech, will be in the mix because of his size and experience.

The 6-foot-2, 223-pound back is a load for tacklers to bring down and goal line work will likely be his from the jump this season. The Virginia native has played in 31 games in his college career, more than any other running back on the Terps roster. He’s also no stranger to competition having come from a crowded backfield in Blacksburg.

Senior Wes Brown, sophomore Ty Johnson and possibly freshman Jake Funk , should all see plenty of touches as well, but Edmunds seems locked in as Maryland’s power back.

2. Teldrick Morgan, WR

The former Sun Belt Conference standout transferred from New Mexico State to Maryland in June and adds some depth to the Terps receiving corps. Morgan will be a senior and eligible to play immediately.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Hanover, Md. native played in nine games and started eight for New Mexico State in 2015 and had a solid season despite missing three games due to injury. Morgan finished the year with 45 receptions for 551 yards and four touchdowns. As a sophomore the year prior, Morgan started 11 games and earned Second Team All-Sun Belt honors after hauling in 75 receptions for 903 yards and seven touchdowns.

Maryland’s roster is littered with talented receivers but none of them have really separated themselves from the pack. The Terps offense figures to spread the ball around a lot, but look for Morgan to be one of offensive coordinator Walt Bell’s most valuable weapons.

1. JC Jackson, CB

Besides, Will Likely locking down one cornerback position, the Terps secondary is one big question mark, but Jackson could be an answer.

Jackson transferred to Maryland from Riverside Community College (Calif.) in July and was once considered a top prospect in the 2014 class. The Immokalee, Fla. native originally committed to Florida out of high school and redshirted for the Gators as a freshman due to injury before leaving the program in April 2015 following home invasion and robbery felony charges. Jackson was later found not guilty of all charges and subsequently enrolled in junior college to resume his playing career.

At Riverside Community College last fall, Jackson had 25 tackles, two forced fumbles and two pass break ups in six games. He was a hot commodity for Division I programs after being acquitted in Florida, but his ties to Durkin, who was on the 2014 Gators staff that signed Jackson, helped land him in College Park.

With Maryland looking to replace three starters from last year in the secondary, the former four-star recruit has a good chance of stepping in and playing from day one.