Projecting Maryland football's week one depth chart vs. Towson: defense

After projecting the depth chart on the offensive side of the ball, we look at projecting the defense heading into Maryland’s week one matchup against Towson.

Defensive Line After needing to fill all three starting roles heading into the 2023 season, the quiet confidence along the unit continues into week one with several pieces needing to step into elevated roles for the production to match the hype. That starts with Jordan Phillips, a Tennessee transfer who enrolled in January and has become arguably Maryland’s top lineman through camp where his fluid movement at 300-pounds plus makes him an ideal fit at the nose. Former DII star Tre Colbert can provide quality depth behind Phillips, while Tommy Akingbesote and Taizse Johnson round out the defensive tackle spot heading into the season with Akingbesote ahead. Quashon Fuller, a former Florida State transfer entering his second season with the program, has shown pass-rush ability through camp to become the primary defensive end with Daniel Owens and accomplished freshman DJ Samuels backing him up. Maryland also added two more freshmen in the trenches in Dillan Fontus and Lavon Johnson, a pair of interior defensive line targets, as Fontus has been able to build off a productive spring where he’s added noticeable mass to his 6-foot-4 frame. Maryland may not have the experience to exude confidence that the unit can take a step from 2022 to 2023, but under Brian Williams’s guidance, there’s confidence in the pieces as they look to build off the momentum from a productive fall camp.

Linebackers Undoubtedly the strength of the defense, Maryland returns a deep linebacker room into 2023 with MIKE Jaishawn Barham and WILL Ruben Hyppolite leading the way, looking to solidify themselves among the Big Ten’s best. With Fa’Najae Gotay and Caleb Wheatland the primary backups to Barham and Hyppolite, it’s Donnell Brown who will play a key role as a JACK where his speed off the edge gives Maryland a pass-rusher with experience. Brown will be a key part in Maryland’s plan in the front seven, but if there’s someone behind him that can provide pressure, it’s Kellan Wyatt. The second-year Spalding star played in all but two games last fall primarily at the SAM, but the elusive outside ‘backer will move around this year and fill the rotation at JACK. Neeo Avery, the prize of the 2022 class, enrolled over the summer where he’ll look to make an immediate impact at JACK with Riyad Wilmot entering his fourth season with the program.

Cornerbacks Maryland went out and added Ja’Quan Sheppard to fill a starting role after losing a pair to the NFL Draft. Sheppard gives Maryland its number one corner, while Tarheeb Still returns into a versatile role as both a boundary and nickel corner. Still lined up at both last season, excelling in the slot with Deonte Banks and Jakorian Bennett outside, but his experience makes him a versatile piece of the secondary. Maryland has several other nickel corner candidates with Miami (FL) transfer Avantae Williams a primary candidate, along with Glen Miller who’s returned from injury. Second-year cornerback Gavin Gibson has been sidelined with a minor injury since the second scrimmage and will return to a rotational role at cornerback once cleared with Lionell Whitaker and Corey Coley stepping up as the primary options. Second-year cornerback Perry Fisher has done well progressing through his first full year with the program where the natural athleticism and play recognition have translated to cornerback, now it’s about technique and confidence heading into a rotational role. With two proven cornerbacks and a host of young players rising, Maryland fans will have a chance to see who the next star is coming out of the room with cornerbacks coach Henry Baker emphasizing takeaways along the backline.

Safeties Not just a star-studded duo, but the safety tandem of Beau Brade and Dante Trader Jr. has blossomed a strong friendship between the two as the two vocal leaders now step into veteran roles heading into the 2023 season. The two proven pieces provide the tackling and range needed to instill confidence in the tandem under first-year safeties coach Zac Spavital, and 2023 gives the young pieces a chance to step up. Along with Avantae Williams (free) and Glen Miller (strong), Maryland began working with a pair of early enrollees in Tayvon Nelson and Tamarcus Cooley as the two have added noticeable mass in the months already on campus. After Williams and Miller, it’s the pair of early enrollees who will get a chance to get their feet wet as Nelson has been able to flash his range and athleticism, while Cooley has shown flashes of the instinctive hard-hitting safety that they loved out of high school. Alex Moore also joined the program in June while Lavain Scruggs enters his second season with the program.

Special Teams While Chad Ryland won’t be back in a Maryland uniform, there’s still confidence in the kicking game with Jack Howes taking care of business to hold onto the starting job all offseason into 2023. Howes may not enter the season with a ton of experience, only a pair of kickoffs and an extra point in the 2021 bowl game thus far, but he’s been able to flash his power whether it’s the spring game or in fall camp. Alongside Howes, Colton Spangler returns as the outright starter and is one of three captains heading into the Towson game. Maryland also has a lot of options in the return game, but they benefit from having a pair of veterans in Tarheeb Still and Jeshaun Jones to lead the punt return game. On the kick return side, Maryland also benefits from having multiple options with shifty slot receiver Tyrese Chambers also being someone who can step into the return game. Roman Hemby, Tai Felton, Octavian Smith and Braden Wisloski are the primary names to know with Ryan Manning as a possible depth option.

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