Return of Dontay Demus
The biggest development from Big Ten media days was head coach Mike Locksley saying that veteran receiver Dontay Demus is “ahead of schedule” and on track to be available for the week one matchup against Buffalo. ““Actually really, really been impressed with the way he’s returned. Our training staff led by Brian Simerville has done a tremendous job getting Dontay back,” Locksley added. “I think last week he broke 21, 22 on the catapult which means he’s got that explosiveness back.” Maryland will remain cautious with their star wide receiver through fall camp to ensure he’s 100% heading into the season but he was a full participant during July’s player-run practices, as was Jeshaun Jones after suffering a season-ending injury midway through the 2021 season. With Demus’s return becoming the biggest storyline heading into the season, Maryland has a strong unit alongside the senior receiver with Rakim Jarrett, Jeshaun Jones, Jacob Copeland, Marcus Fleming and Tai Felton all returning to give quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa a plethora of weapons. “It’s almost to pick your poison type of group,” junior wideout Rakim Jarrett added. “I mean, you can pick one to stop but the other three are gonna be there. I think it’s gonna be very hard for the defenses to hone in on one person, even though they seen what they seen on film.”
Young Running Backs
Veteran running back Challen Faamatau will be sidelined for the first few weeks of the 2022 season, which means that Maryland will need to rely on a handful of young running backs to start the season. Colby McDonald was the lone Terp to burn a redshirt last season and his experience heading into fall camp becomes even more valuable, while the top end speed that Roman Hemby flashed during the spring has given him a clear role in the rushing attack. When it comes to the running backs, it’s hard to dismiss the progress of second-year player Antwain Littleton after reshaping his body to become more explosive in between the tackles. Meanwhile, former four-star Roman Hemby didn’t enroll until June but was a frequent visitor during spring practice to acclimate himself to the pace of practice. Now that he’s enrolled, the Virginia native brings a unique blend of size and speed as Brown will be leaned on to establish a rushing attack. But with all the buzz surrounding Maryland’s passing attack, can the Terps maintain momentum to create a more balanced offense in 2022?
Linebacker Depth
Durell Nchami and VanDarius Cowan will be seen as outside linebackers this fall with Ruben Hyppolite, Fa’Najae Gotay and Gereme Spraggins all lining up inside. Behind them? The depth is thin. Maryland could get creative outside while true freshmen Jaishawn Barham and Caleb Wheatland lead the way for the Terps as inside backers. Second-year linebacker TJ Butler has the frame to become an edge rusher and will be tasked with filling the void while Maryland returns veteran Ahmad McCullough to give the linebackers an experienced option. Can true freshman ‘Bam’ Booker make an immediate impact? The former 2021 commit benefits from enrolling in January and was a force at Winton Woods (OH) as inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson and outside linebacker coach James Thomas look to bolster the front seven.
New Starting Safeties
After Jordan Mosley and Nick Cross took the next step in their careers, new safeties coach Wes Neighbors is tasked with replacing both starters ahead of the 2022 season. Junior Beau Brade should likely take over as the new strong safety while Isaiah Hazel could become the new free safety this season. Maryland also returns Glen Miller, a nickel corner candidate, and Dante Trader to give the unit additional experience while true freshman Lavain Scruggs will get his first crack at this level. Early enrollee Gavin Gibson has also made significant strides to his frame since arriving in January and could give the backend another quality piece. Neighbors has drawn glowing reviews as a developer from local coaches and preparing the Terps’ new tandem could elevate Maryland’s defensive backs this fall with ample confidence in cornerbacks Tarheeb Still, Jakorian Bennett and Deonte Banks.
Cornerback Depth
When it comes to the starters, there’s little concern in the trio of Tarheeb Still, Jakorian Bennett and Deonte Banks. Maryland also returns second-year cornerback Corey Coley and signed Florida cornerback Lionell Whitaker, who arrived in June. The lone known position switch thus far is Perry Fisher, who switched from wide receiver to cornerback since arriving in January, and could benefit from his experience as a high school quarterback to instill the instincts as a new defensive back at the college level. The Terps are thin at the position and with cornerbacks coach Henry Baker a big proponent of emphasizing details and fundamentals, the young room behind the starters will need to grow up fast as they’ll be challenged during the season.