Maryland has battled through injuries through the first week of the season, but the biggest name hit Maryland hard on Friday night when star receiver Dontay Demus went down on a second quarter kick return. Head coach Mike Locksley announced on Tuesday that Demus would miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, which means that the veteran receiver has very likely played his last down in a Maryland uniform.
If that is it for Demus at Maryland, he finishes his career with a catch in 27 consecutive games and prior to his injury, sat third in receptions and touchdowns per game and led the Big Ten in receiving yards. Demus would also finish in sixth place and one touchdown away from Stefon Diggs in career receiving touchdowns, capping off an accomplished career as a Terp. Locksley announced that Demus will fly down to Alabama this week for surgery as he begins the rehab process, but with seven more games left, Locksley and his offensive staff will have to figure out how they’ll mitigate the loss of their playmaker.
It isn’t the first time the receiver room has taken a hit, but it’s the first that’s left a noticeable void in the room and one that the Terps know they’ll have to replace by committee.
“It’s going to take all the other receivers to step up, including myself, to collectively do it,” receiver Rakim Jarrett said on Tuesday. “I wouldn’t say just me doing it myself would really fill the role that he had for the team, he was one of a kind so I think we all have to step up.” Maryland will work diligently to tap into the deep receiver room to fill Demus’ void by committee as second-year receiver Rakim Jarrett is the obvious name to fill the void.
With the Terps set to face a stout Buckeye secondary, Jarrett joins veterans Darryl Jones and Jeshaun Jones as the starters for this week with Carlos Carriere, Brian Cobbs, and Marcus Fleming rounding out the updated two-deep. Maryland also has tight ends Chigoziem Okonkwo and Corey Dyches rounding out the passing attack, a phase that Maryland won’t shy away from even with Demus unavailable, but Demus’ absence means the other Maryland receivers like Jarrett could draw increased attention from opposing secondaries.
The increased attention and double-teams will help Jarrett’s long-term development, but he has a chance to show he can create separation out of the slot and capitalize in man coverage. But increased attention on Jarrett could pave the way for veteran Jeshaun Jones, who battled through preseason injuries to return as a staple in the rotation. Jones sits third on the team with 17 receptions for 218 yards through the first five games, has shown his maturity from last season into this while flashing the body control that has made him a playmaker along the perimeter. While both are at least 6-foot-2 receivers, Jeshaun and Darryl Jones do well to complement each other as Jeshaun is the one who can capitalize on the bubble and tunnel screens while Darryl can provide the length to become the needed downfield threat. But offensive coordinator Dan Enos has drawn the tunnel screens for Darryl, too, while Jeshaun has had a handful of targets downfield between Udinski and Tagovailoa. Between the two of them and Jarrett’s downfield speed, Maryland has options to maintain the vertical offense.
Another that could make the most as the fourth receiver is Brian Cobbs, who has proven to be efficient as a possession receiver to help Maryland’s offense pick up the first downs. Cobbs has seen limited attention through the first third of the season with just five catches for 62 yards but provides an element in the room that’s unique in the room. While the starting receivers might be considered more dynamic in space, Cobbs’ presence as a possession receiver could be beneficial through conference play as Maryland looks to improves its third-down offense. First-year receiver Marcus Fleming has gradually been featured in games this season and could draw more game reps as he enhances his technique and focus, but has the quick twitch and speed to develop into a standout slot receiver.
The Terps also have a host of younger receivers and a pair of vets that fans haven’t seen much of this season. Dino Tomlin has appeared in all but one game this season and registered one reception against Kent State, senior Carlos Carriere registered a pair of catches for 26 yards and one touchdown in the Howard win, while true freshman Tai Felton appeared against both Iowa and Howard. Nick DeGennaro has practiced with a cast in recent weeks and reason why he’s seen limited time this season, but the young talent behind the starting rotation remains prevalent.
Wide receiver coach Zohn Burden will have his hands full acclimating his receivers into their revamped roles with Demus sidelined, but the depth and talent in the room carried Maryland all offseason into year three of Locksley’s tenure. The margin for error narrows with Demus’ absence looming over the passing attack, an aspect that points to the dropped passes that have plagued the unit through the first five games, Demus included. While Demus eliminates the elite receiver from the offense, the talent to preserve the passing game remains there for the taking but now, it’s a matter of whether the Terps can turn potential into production. There’s no doubt that Demus set the standard for the room, according to Jarrett.
"He just brought all of the energy. He like was the vocal guy, he was the most experienced. I mean he led by example from how he went out in practice every day to how he carried himself off the field so I mean, he was a pro guy just to be around the college locker room."
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