Roster Review: Tight Ends
- diggsreport
- Jun 2, 2022
- 3 min read
There will be a new starting tight end on the Terps in 2022, as last year’s starter Chigozem Okonkwo was drafted by the Tennessee Titans. With Okonkwo now gone, Maryland has a young group, with the most experienced only being a redshirt sophomore. However, that doesn’t mean anyone should take them lightly as several will play a prominent role in the Terps' 2022 offense.
Returning:
Corey Dyches: With Chig now on the Titans, Dyches becomes the Terps’ number one tight end. He worked with the wide receivers during the spring because of the players coming back from injuries. Last year, Dyches caught 19 passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns, two of which came in the bowl game. With him moving up to number one, there will be more pressure for Dyches to make an impact. Expect to see him split out wide when Maryland with two tight ends.
CJ Dippre: The quarterback-turned-tight end joined the program as an early enrollee and was quickly among the strongest players on the roster. Last season, Dippre had his redshirt burned after playing in every game where he filled in primarily as a blocking tight end. When Maryland goes to a two-tight end look, he will be on the field with Dyches. The athletic young Terp is capable of becoming a receiving tight end but adapted much of what Okonkwo did to his own preparation. "During camp last year, we were roommates so I mean, even down to the minimal thing, meditating or going through the playbook, showing me all his kinds of things, what his flaws were and I'd be able to pick up on them so I can not do the same stuff," Dippre said after the spring game. He’s the Terps most physically imposing tight end, measured at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. Going into his second year, he'll find a clear niche as an extra blocker and possibly become a sneaky target in the redzone and routes in the flat.
Weston Wolff: Wolff redshirted last year after only appearing in two games and catching one pass for ten yards. He moves up in the rotation with Chig gone. Like Dyches, Wolff could split out wide when the Terps use more than one tight end. Wolff finished with five catches for 45 yards during the spring game, including an impressive hurdle and he’ll get more opportunities to show off his pass-catching ability in 2022. Fans knew Corey Dyches was a lethal weapon even with Okonkwo on the roster last year and with Dyches stepping into the TE1 role, Wolff now assumes the role as the next receiving threat at the position.
Leron Husbands: Husbands is the third tight end from the 2021 recruiting class and might have had the most upside. A former wide receiver in high school, he redshirted in 2021 after having surgery. Going into 2022, he’s the fourth tight end on the depth chart. However, that doesn’t mean Husbands won’t see the field at all this year given his ability to block and catch. A high ceiling prospect who elevates the potential in the room.
Freshman:
Preston Howard: Howard was Mr. Versatile at McDonogh, playing just about everywhere on offense last year including as a hard-hitting safety on the other end. Previously, he was the school’s starting quarterback and was the team's captain as a senior. Howard is one of the best athletes on Maryland’s roster this year but is raw for a tight end as he makes the transition. Howard will enroll on campus in mid-June and once he gets comfortable at the position, Howard could be a force in the open field.
Verdict: Don’t let the youth of this group fool you, these players are talented. Dyches should be just fine taking over the starting position this year. Dippre and Wolff, meanwhile, will be chances to make their impact known on the field. Husbands and Howard are wild cards.
Up Next: We take a look at the running backs.
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