Outlet explains why they're bearish on Maryland football's transfer portal class

Ahmed Ghafir
8 minutes ago
2 min read

Maryland football has already welcomed the first wave of reinforcements to campus with the transfer additions and high school early enrollees already in the swing of the second semester. They'll fill key roles with freshman five-star edge rusher Zion Elee expected to add to a deep pass rush anchored by Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis, alongside the several transfer portal commits like Boston College cornerback Amari Jackson and UCF defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc looking to take starting jobs in 2026.

With ten commits in the fold, others aren't as high on Maryland's transfer portal class with The Athletic noting the Terps as one of three Power Four teams alongside Alabama and Clemson who were viewed to have not done enough this offseason.

"Coach Mike Locksley has posted back-to-back 4-8 seasons, so there should be some urgency for him to win now. But the Terrapins added just 10 transfers, and only a few of them were significant contributors at their previous stops. The best thing Maryland did was add some receivers with potential, like Wyoming’s Chris Durr Jr. (45 catches, 469 yards) and Old Dominion’s Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding (51 receptions, 667 yards). They could be solid targets for promising young QB Malik Washington."

Durr and Gladding also combined for ten touchdowns to just five drops in 2025, adding to the efficient experienced added around sophomore quarterback Malik Washington with the offense looking to take the next step. The skill positions also got more experience back in the fold with Preston Howard now set to end his college career at Maryland after spending one season at Auburn, giving Washington a versatile tight end alongside Dorian Fleming.

Maryland ranks 33rd nationally and seventh in the Big Ten in On3's transfer portal rankings, which also accounts for attrition, while 247 ranks the class 72nd nationally and dead last in the Big Ten. But what neither ranking adds is the retention by the Maryland staff this offseason with Malik Washington set to return alongside Zahir Mathis, Sidney Stewart, Messiah Delhomme, Jaylen Gilchrist, CJ Smith, Amory Hills, Iverson Howard, Jayden Shipps, Bryce Jenkins, Zymear Smith and Nahsir Taylor all among the heralded freshmen set to return in 2026. While consecutive four-win seasons have amplified the pressure in College Park, 2025 told a different story than 2024 due to the makeup of the roster. With the program's most talented freshman class since 2000 now looking to build on the experience gained through 2025, their progression into 2026 will be as impactful of an offseason storyline as the integration of the new pieces in year eight of the Mike Locksley era.

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