One of the best things about a new college football season is seeing new players step up and make their impact on the field. The 2022 season gave true freshmen like Jaishawn Barham a chance to ascend to stardom as he leads the defense into 2023, while giving fans a glimpse into the future with freshmen like Octavian Smith taking advantage of his opportunities. With eleven returning starters in 2023 and a blend of familiar and new face leading the Terps this fall, we take a look at five underclassman that could be in line for big roles in 2023.
One question still not answered yet is who will make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks? That answer could come from Good Counsel alum Neeo Avery. Avery flipped from Ole Miss to Maryland on National Signing Day and was one of the Terps’ highest-rated signees from 2023. Listed at 6-foot-5, 234 pounds, his combination of size and athleticism could help him be a nightmare for quarterbacks right away. With Durell Nchami having graduated and no clear replacement just yet, the former Good Counsel quarterback has a viable path at ample playing time in year one. Fellow signee DJ Samuels will be in the mix as will as Riyad Wilmot at JACK, but Avery’s quickness and first step are part of what makes him a highly talented edge rusher with the potential to be a game-changer. A chance to showcase it right away gives Maryland a chance to lean on a local star to resolve its pass rushing concerns.
Harris was involved in one of the craziest stories from the 2023 class after he and his twin brother Andrew decided to sign with different schools. In the end, though, Maryland got a talented linebacker that could see time as a true freshman. Harris was thought of as the top performer in conditioning among the freshman. As he showed in high school, he’s not afraid to deliver a hit to a ball carrier. While he’s not the biggest guy in the world, only listed at 181 pounds, Harris’ skill, and nose for the ball could what’s he’s brings to the Big Ten in 2023. The Florida linebacker arrived in mid-June with the remainder of the 2023 signees and was immediately among the top performers in workouts among the freshmen and despite stepping into a loaded inside linebacker room, Harris gives the room another athletic piece with stellar sideline-to-sideline range.
The highest-ranked signee from Maryland’s freshman class, Walker has been working at tight end since coming to College Park. While Corey Dyches has the starting spot locked down, the backup role is up for grabs after CJ Dippre left for Alabama. Walker will have to compete with Leron Husbands and Preston Howard for that role, though. However, he’s up for the challenge possessing the quickness and power that Maryland looks for in their tight ends. He also is used to splitting out wide, which he did plenty of times in high school to great success. His time spent at linebacker might give him an understanding of what it takes to keep them away from the quarterback or running back. Walker’s upside at tight end is intriguing and his big-play ability as a receiving threat gives the room a young, dependable option behind Dyches. Second-year tight end Preston Howard will also factor into the rotation after spending a year honing in on the technique at his position, his first time playing tight end since his freshman season at McDonogh. But Walker arriving in College Park in June has made him a breakout candidate in a pass-happy Terps’ offense that features plenty of two tight end sets.
The former Tennessee lineman has drawn rave reviews due to his poise and demeanor since arriving in College Park back in January, but with fall camp roughly one month away, now he gets the chance to prove himself as an impact transfer. With four major contributors from the defensive line last year gone, the Terps are looking for players to step into these roles. While guys like Isaac Bunyun, Tommy Akingbesote, and Taizse Johnson should step in, another player to keep an eye on is Tennessee transfer Jordan Phillips. He has all four years left after only playing in three games for the Volunteers last year. Listed at 6-foot-2, 295 pounds, Phillips gives Maryland a starter inside who can disrupt at the point of attack. Maryland will also lean on Tommy Akingbesote and Taizse Johnson to disrupt the line of scrimmage, but Phillips may prove to be the Terps’ best lineman this fall. Whether he is starting or not in 2023, fans should get used to seeing Phillips destructing plays near the line of scrimmage as the spark in the middle.
Lionell Whitaker found himself squarely in the rotation in his first season in College Park, appearing in all but four of Maryland’s 13 games while recording nine tackles and one pass breakup. The 5-foot-11 corner was able to get his feet wet as he got acclimated to Big Ten pace, but Whitaker has taken major strides to add confidence to Maryland’s cornerback room. After making the move from safety, it was North Carolina native Gavin Gibson who found himself in the rotation alongside Whitaker and after Gibson flashed through the season, Whitaker could be next up. Whitaker was named the Rick Badanjek Most Improvement Freshman alongside Preston Howard following Maryland’s spring game and his development is reason why the Terps are leaning on him and Gibson behind Jaquan Sheppard and Tarheeb Still.
Redshirt freshman Perry Fisher was considered the most athletic from Maryland’s 2022 class and after arriving in College Park originally as a wide receive, Fisher officially moved to defensive back after arriving on campus and spent the past season diving into technique. He and veteran Corey Coley give the cornerback room two more pieces, but 2023 could be a year that Whitaker makes himself a household name in College Park.
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