Former Maryland linebacker Fa'Najae Gotay will suit up for a familiar program in 2024 after Auburn announced the signing of the seventh-year linebacker on Thursday, roughly one month after the Florida native announced his entry into the transfer portal. Gotay joins former Maryland tight end Rico Walker, who announced his decision to transfer to the Tigers back in January. Gotay was initially expected to return to the program after announcing his partnership with One Maryland back on January 29, becoming the longest-tenured Terp and lone holdover from the DJ Durkin era despite Mike Locksley entering his sixth season as head coach of the program. The Florida linebacker arrived in College Park back in 2018 alongside then-three-star pledge Jeshaun Jones, who now enters his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings. Gotay saw time in four games as a freshman while his first start came in the 2019 season finale versus Michigan State where he led the defense with 15 tackles (eight solo), the most by any Terp in a game all season. After appearing in all but one game in the shortened COVID season, Gotay’s 2021 season was lost after suffering a season-ending injury in the season-opening win versus West Virginia. Gotay started in four games and appeared in seven more as a redshirt senior in 2022, finishing eighth on the team with 37 tackles, before starting in a pair of games in 2023. Gotay posted 133 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks and a pair of interceptions as a Terp. While his departure was a blow to Maryland's inside linebacker depth, the unit has an experienced tandem leading the way in fifth-year senior Ruben Hyppolite and third-year linebacker Caleb Wheatland with Daniel Wingate, Mike Harris, Keyshawn Flowers and Keyari James rounding out the room. Related Links Intel: rumblings on an ACC pledge + local wide receiverMaryland pledge set to return to campus in late July as in-state schools lurkKevin Willard on Georgetown series, how Derik Queen & Julian Reese fit togetherLocal CB Khary Adams recaps June workout at Maryland, talks fall visit plansAthlon projects Maryland football to finish middle of the pack in 2024 Big Ten
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