Chris Durr settling in as impact piece in Maryland football's offense

19 hours ago

3 min read

After hitting the transfer portal, wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. was seeking a fresh start.

The wide receiver flashed his potential at Wyoming in 2025, easily leading the Cowboys in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. But he wanted to find a team that he felt could fully maximize his talent. Maryland fit the bill.

With a budding star in quarterback Malik Washington and first-year offensive coordinator Clint Trickett’s offense, Durr seems primed to take the next step.

“It’s been good to just get to the school, finally, that’s just willing to take a chance on me and fully buy into me,” Durr said. “To give me the rock and allow me to make the team better.”

Coordinator of player personnel Marcus Thomas, Durr’s coach at Morgan Park High School in Illinois, reached out to Durr when he entered the transfer portal. Thomas expressed that the Terps had heavy interest in Durr.

Durr felt embraced during his visit to College Park, but one of the moments that resonated with him came when coach Michael Locksley detailed his history of producing high-level wide receivers.

Jaylen Waddle, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith, among others, during his time on Alabama’s offensive staff. Stefon Diggs, Tai Felton and Jeshaun Jones in his tenure with Maryland.

The names speak for themselves — and they spoke to Durr too.

“Locks showed me his resume [with] receivers and how he got them the ball,” Durr said. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, I got to play under him.’”

So far, Durr’s hope for Maryland to buy into him has been realized. Durr has totaled 16 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in two games. Those numbers put him on pace to smash the same marks from last season, when he posted 45 catches for 469 yards and four scores.

Much of that has come from Durr’s solid rapport with his quarterback.

“[Our connection] has grown tremendously. Just earning his trust in practice,” Durr said. “Just doing everything he asks of me. Making sure I can make the easy play be easy, and the hard plays be easy as well.”

Durr showcased that against UConn on Saturday. Early in the second quarter, Washington lobbed a well-placed pass over two Huskies defenders into an area that only Durr could reach. The throw was a bit long, but it didn’t matter.

The junior extended his arm and snagged the ball with one hand for a 24-yard gain — a key play in setting up Maryland’s second scoring drive of the day. The game ended with Durr notching a new career-high with ten catches, joining Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding above the century mark in the win.

Durr’s sure hands are a much-needed addition for a Terps team plagued by drops last season. The receiver also possesses skills on short routes that bring a new element to the Terps’ offense.

Durr, who primarily plays in the slot, is exceptionally agile and likely the most elusive player on the team. That skillset gives Washington a reliable option on nearly every down. If Durr is open and the quarterback can get the ball in his hands, Maryland has a chance to earn solid yardage.

“He brings an explosiveness, definitely, as you see with the ball in his hands,” Washington said. “Just making guys miss in open spaces. He brings extra elements where you can find some hidden yardage from his plays.”

Trickett’s offensive system also lends itself to Durr’s skillset. Before the season, Trickett said he aimed to utilize the entire field with his spread offense. That philosophy creates ample open space, which Durr thrives in.

“Chris Durr, you think of a guy that's short area quickness jumps out,” Locksley said. “He has ability to make guys miss. Super first-step quickness … coming in and out of breaks as a slot guys is really important.”

Durr’s presence has been felt just as much off the field.

Durr prides himself on bringing uplifting energy to the locker room and reminding teammates to enjoy themselves.

“Just bringing light into the room,” Durr said. “You can’t make it too serious when it comes to football, or it ain’t going to be fun. So you got to have fun with everything you do to make the game more easy.”

Maryland bought into Durr, just as the receiver wanted. In the locker room and on the field, Durr is repaying them for that choice.

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