LB Fa'Najae Gotay returning to Maryland for seventh season

Maryland saw a pair of veterans denied a sixth season of eligibility, but the inside linebacker room will return a seventh-year veteran with Fa’Najae Gotay returning to the program for the 2024 season. One source confirmed those plans as Gotay announced his partnership with One Maryland during the opening days of the spring semester.

As the spring semester begins, I am excited to announce that I'll be partnering with @onemarylandnil this year to make a difference in the community. My teammates and I can't wait to make a positive impact on the youth in the DMV. pic.twitter.com/3gM30UoIK6

— Fa'najae Gotay (@fa_gotay) January 29, 2024

Gotay preserved his redshirt during the 2018 season after appearing in four games before making his first career start in the season finale of the 2019 season. Gotay retains a year of eligibility from the COVID-shortened 2020 season and was granted a medical redshirt in the 2021 season after suffering a season-ending injury in the week one win vs. West Virginia. Gotay went on to start in six games in 24 appearances over the last two seasons, totaling 81 total tackles and three total sacks. Gotay ranked fifth on the team in total tackles in 2023 while also adding 4.5 TFLs, one pass breakup and one interception.

Gotay’s return is notable for a Maryland defense that continues to stack talent in the front seven as he returns alongside Ruben Hyppolite in 2024 to give the defense two vets to lean on. Maryland also returns Caleb Wheatland for his third season in the program while Mike Harris and Daniel Wingate look to take the next step and carve out roles within the rotation. Maryland also signed a pair of inside linebackers in Keyshawn Flowers and Keyari James with James enrolling in the program for the spring semester.

Gotay signed with the program alongside former wide receiver Jeshaun Jones in the 2018 class.

May 19, 2024

Linebacker Fa’Najae Gotay returning to Maryland for seventh season

Ahmed Ghafir