Maryland football's new, returning pieces looking to spearhead bounceback 2026 season

Trevor Gomes
10 hours ago
5 min read

Maryland football coach Michael Locksley listed three goals for Saturday’s season opener against Hampton: establish the run game, play clean, and execute in all three phases. They seem simple, but beyond Saturday, reaching these objectives could decide the Terps’ season.

An inability to run the football was one of Maryland’s foremost issues in a penalty-ridden 4-8 season last year — and one of the many problems the Terps are looking to fix in 2026.

Maryland’s rushing attack averaged 104.3 yards per game and totaled nine scores, both the second-lowest marks in the Big Ten. Their struggles on the ground often forced the Terps to largely abandon run plays, leading to a conference-low 306 attempts in 12 games. True freshman quarterback Malik Washington, conversely, threw 473 passes, the most in the Big Ten.

Leading rusher DeJuan Williams returns for his redshirt sophomore season. The Baltimore native’s development will be crucial to establishing a more balanced offense, especially in a unit with less depth than previous years.

“We typically have four or five guys that we rely on, but [the running back room’s] really jumped out,” Locksley said. “[Williams] is a guy that was injured early in his career in high school … I see the explosiveness back, the speed back.”

Sophomore Iverson Howard, a former four-star recruit, is slated to play a more significant role as well. Howard mainly featured as a kick returner and totaled only 39 carries as a freshman. Locksley lauded Howard for having a great summer, noting that the “game slowed down for him.”

Locksley also gave lofty praise to a running back new to Maryland: USC transfer Harry Dalton III.

Dalton, also a former four-star recruit, played sparingly with the Trojans, but flashed his playmaking potential in the offseason. That earned an on-field comparison to Josh Jacobs, whom Locksley coached at Alabama.

Behind the trio of running backs, maintaining a viable run game will especially benefit sophomore quarterback Malik Washington.

Washington faced a heavier burden than most other quarterbacks in the nation, even as a true freshman with minimal snaps at training camp due to injury. He still thrived.

Washington completed 273 passes for 2,963 yards, both records for Maryland freshmen.

“How [Washington] was able to play speaks volumes to the type of player he is,” Locksley said. “He never wavered.”

Effectively running the ball will make Maryland’s offense less one-dimensional, opening up the passing game for Washington. The Terps’ new receivers should also help.

Wyoming transfer Chris Durr Jr. projects as Maryland’s starting slot receiver and Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, a transfer from Old Dominion, is slated to line up across from returning receiver Kaleb Webb.

Durr tallied a team-high 45 receptions and 469 receiving yards with the Cowboys, while Gladding paced Old Dominion with 51 catches and six receiving touchdowns.

“They’re starting to find their place within the team,” Washington said of the two new receivers.

Webb was a low-volume receiver as a redshirt junior last season, though his efficiency bodes well for his production this season. His 14.5 yards per reception ranked second on the team.

Redshirt junior tight end Dorian Fleming also provides stability for Maryland’s group of pass catchers. Fleming, an Honorable All-Big Ten mention last season, placed in the team’s top five in receptions (40) and receiving yards (351) in 2025.

After one season at Auburn, Preston Howard has returned to College Park, further bolstering the tight end room.

“[The tight ends’] willingness and their physicality in the run game just makes it a lot easier as an offense when you have players who can play multiple spots and do multiple things,” Washington said.

New offensive coordinator Clint Trickett’s system should also benefit Maryland’s offense.

Washington said that he’s largely familiar with Trickett’s system, which should smooth the transition for a young quarterback learning a new offense.

“It wasn’t too much of a learning curve,” Washington said. “Coach Trickett has his own wrinkles … and how he likes to call games, which we’ll see as we get throughout the season. But it’s been familiarity there and comfortability.”

Trickett orchestrated a Jacksonville State offense that averaged 246.7 rushing yards per game, the fourth-most nationally. His rushing attack at Marshall in 2022 produced 205.9 yards per game.

The first-year coordinator will spearhead an offense desperate for a breakthrough. Trickett’s ability to foster an effective offense, especially on the ground, will be one of the keys to a successful season for the Terps.

The opposite side of the field features more stability.

Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino returns for his second season with the Terps, alongside defensive starters on the defensive line and in the secondary.

Freshman standout Sidney Stewart returns after pacing Maryland in sacks (seven) and tackles for loss (10.5). The Terps also retained pass rushers Nahsir Taylor and Eyan Thomas, among others on the defensive line.

The loss of Zahir Mathis is crushing, however.

Mathis, a True Freshman All-American last year and Maryland’s second-most productive pass rusher behind Stewart, suffered a season-ending ACL tear in early August. The injury will likely thrust five-star freshman Zion Elee into a larger Day 1 role than anticipated.

Talent at interior defensive line may also make up for the pass-rushing void left by Mathis’s injury. Locksley highlighted Lavon Johnson, who transferred back to Maryland after one year at Texas, sophomore Bryce Jenkins and UCF transfer Derrick LeBlanc, among others.

“We’ve created some depth,” Locksley said.

The linebacker corps may be Maryland’s most talented defensive unit this season, headlined by perhaps its best returner.

Senior Daniel Wingate, named the 2025 Team MVP by teammates, easily led the Terps in tackles with 102. Jalen Huskey ranked second with 72. Starter Trey Reddick and sophomore Carlton Smith also return to round out the group in Monachino’s 4-3 scheme.

Maryland's secondary has likely the most turnover of any defensive group, losing starters Jalen Huskey, Dontay Joyner and La’khi Roland. Sophomore Messiah Delhomme, a standout on special teams last season, figures to succeed Huskey as Maryland’s second starting safety alongside Lavain Scruggs.

Amari Jackson, a redshirt senior transfer from Boston College, and recent addition Jordan Scruggs are slated to fill the starting cornerback spots left by Joyner and Roland. Both players bring a wealth of experience. Jackson joins the Terps with 24 career starts under his belt and Scruggs comes to College Park after four years of playing experience at four schools.

"It's a talented, talented room and it's we've got some depth there that kind of creates competition," Locksley said.

Maryland’s collection of returners, young talent and experienced transfers will aim to improve a defense that allowed 26.5 points per game in 2025, the fifth-most in the Big Ten.

How well they meld together may determine whether the Terps repeat the struggles of their past two seasons.

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