Quarterback depth
While Maryland looks set at starting quarterback with sophomore signal caller Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland fans can’t help but wonder about the depth behind him given all of the Terps’ woes under center in recent years.
Although Maryland did not bring in a scholarship quarterback as part of the incoming freshman class, head coach Mike Locksley did land a commitment from VMI signal caller Reece Udinski.
Udinski holds numerous passing records at VMI and put up big numbers in the early goings of this past spring FCS season. But his senior season at VMI was cut short due to an ACL injury suffered in the fourth game of the year. He finished the injury shortened season with 1,082 yards, seven touchdowns and a 71.5 percent completion percentage, while leading the Keydets to a 4-0 record.
Udinski had offseason surgery to repair his torn ACL and after several months of rehab is believed to be fully recovered in time for fall camp. An experienced quarterback with pro aspirations, Udinski’s return should only help push Tagovailoa. Still, questions remain as to whether he is at 100 percent physically, as well as how quickly he is able to pick up the offense should he be thrust into action.
Sophomore walk-on quarterback Eric Najarian, who backed up Tagovailoa last season, participated in spring ball but is coming off of a shoulder injury which required surgery. He showed promise in the Terps’ 2020 season finale, throwing for 218 yards and a pair of touchdowns at Rutgers. He is also expected to be recovered in time for the start of fall camp, hopefully giving the Terps a pair of experienced backups should anything happen to Tagovailoa. We will see what, if any, affect his offseason surgery has had on his ability to throw the ball.
What newcomers will play on defense
Maryland brings in a top-20 recruiting class, highlighted by several key additions on defense that should see significant snaps this fall.
Among the incoming freshmen, edge rusher Demeioun Robinson looks like he could play a significant role for the Terps as he competes with junior Durrell Nchami for snaps at the JACK position. Even if he does not win the starting job, he is likely to see some snaps as part of a rotation with Nchami.
At linebacker, freshman Brandon Jennings could see time this fall inside, where the former Rivals100 prospect should, at the very least, push returning starters Fa’Najae Gotay and Ruben Hyppolite following a productive spring season.
One newcomer at linebacker that could very likely start on the outside is JUCO transfer Gereme Spraggins. The Arundel High School product helped lead Hutchinson C.C. to a JUCO national title this past spring and arrived in College Park with a reputation as a thumper that can really cover a lot of ground.
Along the defensive line, freshman Taisze Johnson has a chance to push for playing time inside at defensive tackle. While not likely to start, Johnson brings the size, power and explosiveness to possibly earn snaps as part of a d-line rotation.
Stability and depth along the offensive line
After an offseason in which the Terps lost starting center Johnny Jordan and starting interior lineman Marcus Minor to the transfer portal, Maryland is looking for stability, continuity and depth up front on offense heading into fall camp.
After spending the spring experimenting with Spencer Anderson at center, Maryland signed JUCO center Aric Harris, who started every game for NJCAA national champ Hutchinson C.C. With Harris now likely to be plugged into the starting center spot for the Terps, Anderson is now able to move back to right tackle, where he performed well a season ago. Backing him up should be Amelio Moran, who filled in at right tackle for a game last season and took most of the reps at the position throughout spring ball.
On the left side, the tackle spot should be held down by returning starter Jaelyn Duncan, while sophomore Mason Lunsford manned the guard spot during the spring.
Former JUCO Johari Branch was one of just six Terps to start all five games last fall and should hold down the right guard spot.
Beyond the starting five, however, the Terps have a number of question marks along the o-line. Junior Evan Gregory got his first career start last season at right guard, while fellow junior Austin Fontaine sat out part of last season due to COVID after starting at right guard during the 2019 season. Maryland will likely need both former DeMatha Stags to step up this season should their numbers be called.
Maryland will also look for sophomore linemen Ja’Kih Green and Delmar Glaze to make big leaps this fall as they begin their second season with the program.
Running back by committee
While there is no doubt that senior Tayon Fleet-Davis will get first crack at the starting running back job, it does not seem like a certainty that he will hold it down for the duration of the season.
Fleet-Davis missed time last season and while he has put up solid numbers during his career, he has a pair of second-year backs that are nipping at his heels.
Sophomore Peny Boone enters his second year in the program having seen time in four of five games as a true freshman and should be in excellent shape heading into fall camp. Fellow sophomore Isaiah Jacobs also saw action in four of five games last season, earning his first career start at Indiana.
Jacobs, in particular, has shown the size, speed and shiftiness one looks for in an every-down back. He also has the pedigree, as Locksley also coached his older brother Josh, the starting running back for the Las Vegas Raiders. It was also Jacobs who really impressed during the spring game, rushing seven times for 70 yards while also showing his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Those three aren’t the only ones likely to be part of the Terps’ running back rotation. Locksley has raved about incoming freshman Roman Hemby out of John Carroll in Baltimore, while senior back Challen Faamatau saw action last season and performed well during spring ball.
How well each performs during fall camp should give an indication as to who starts and what percentage of carries each will see once the season gets underway.
