Anonymous Big Ten coaches sound off on Maryland football, who tumbles in post-spring SP+ rankings

Ahmed Ghafir
3 days ago
2 min read

With the college football season months away, ESPN released its preseason SP+ rankings as Maryland football placed well below their 2024 debut.

Maryland was ranked 70th in the initial 2025 rankings, 24 spots lower than last season, and ahead of only Northwestern (87) and Purdue (101) among Big Ten teams. Maryland's defense led the way in the rankings, checking at 48th nationally compared to the offense at 93rd and special teams at 68th. While ESPN projected five wins, Maryland's 2025 schedule, which features likely three preseason top-25 teams, was ranked 52nd nationally.

Maryland also enters the fall as the most inexperienced team in the Big Ten with just 39% of returning production on offense, ranked 112th nationally, compared to 46% on defense.

The cautious optimism surrounding the program heading into a pivotal year seven under Mike Locksley is understandable given the 17 transfers signed to the program between both portal windows, while the program could turn to several freshmen to play key roles in 2025 including QB Malik Washington, who has entrenched himself as a starting candidate this fall in hopes of elevating a room once anchored by Billy Edwards Jr.

But the cautious optimism also leads to questions from those evaluating the program from afar, as anonymous coaches from around the Big Ten evaluate Maryland ahead of the 2025 season:

Athlon:

“It’s nearly impossible to tell what they’re going to look like, but it sure seems like it’s getting harder and harder for these guys. The portal hit them really hard, and they’re recruiting high schools really well, but I don’t think they can keep pace and expect to stay competitive. You can’t succeed in this league without some roster consistency.”

“On the flip side, they’re landing elite-level players right now for the most recent signing class and next season. You can’t argue with Lock’s [Mike Locksley’s] results [in recruiting]. So how does it all come together?”

“I think they’re going to struggle on both sides again this season, and the offensive line has to improve immediately. But they’re working a plan for the future. The missing piece is landing, developing and then retaining these players.”

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