Despite losing many receivers to the transfer portal during the offseason, Maryland still has a talented group of receivers that can change a game at any time. However, there are still some questions that need to be answered, whether it’s injury or development. Let’s take a look at the roster as of right now.
Sidelined:
Dontay Demus: Demus was off the a hot start in 2021. In five games played he caught 28 passes for 507 yards and three touchdowns. If it wasn’t for a knee injury suffered against Iowa, Demus would have been selected, along with Nick Cross and Chig Okonkwo, in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite missing half of the season, he finished as an All-Big Ten honorable mention. The announcement of Demus returning for 2022 was exciting, but there’s also the question of when he would be on the field. Another issue is how will he look when he can play? While those questions are still up in the air, Demus’ return was big for both the team and fans.
Jeshaun Jones: One week after Demus went down, Jones also suffered a knee injury against Ohio State. Injuries have held Jeshaun back from reaching his potential. When he has been on the field, Jones shows flashes of the talent that he has. He started his college career by having a receiving, rushing and passing touchdowns on his first three touches. Jones was limited during spring ball but was able to make it back onto the field, giving the room another lethal option this season.
Marcus Fleming: Fleming is one of the fastest players on the entire team. He went down with an injury late in the season. The injury caused him to miss the spring game along with Demus and Jones. Like Jeshaun, Fleming was able to get on the field in a limited capacity this spring but will prove to be a lethal option out of the slot as the staff finds creative ways to get him the ball.
Rakim Jarrett: time flies, especially when considering the former St. John's star is now a 2023 NFL Draft candidate. Jarrett was also limited this spring as he battled through injuries, but is expected to make a full recovery when he steps back into the starting rotation this fall. A former five-star recruit, Jarrett has proven to be that and then some during his short time at Maryland. He led the team in receptions, and receiving yards and tied for the lead in touchdowns in 2021. A lot more is expected from Jarrett this year, as it is assumed that he will leave for the NFL after the season. With all the players coming back from injuries, look for him and Copeland to make a deadly duo early on.
The Transfer:
Jacob Copeland: The biggest transfer get for the Terps showed what fans could expect from him during the spring game. Copeland was named the MVP of the game after catching five passes for 70 yards. Copeland transferred from Florida after leading the team in receiving yards and tying for the lead in receptions in 2021. With Demus, Jones, and Fleming up in the air for early in the season, he has a chance to become a difference-maker right away. If it wasn’t for another receiver he would be considered the number one target once the season starts.
The biggest takeaway? Spring gave Copeland a chance to work on his connection with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa as the duo shined during both closed scrimmages heading into the spring game. "[Copeland] is a real good receiver. He does a lot of great things and what he brings to the table could benefit us. We've been working on this since he got here, since the offseason. We obviously have a lot to work on but we feel like we're in a good spot right now."
The Returnees:
Tai Felton: Felton only appeared in eight games as a freshman last year catching five passes for 51 yards. He missed his last two years of high school football due to a knee injury and COVID. Despite that, the coaching staff is still high on him, and Felton could be a factor early on if the injured are not ready to go. Head coach Mike Locksley praised the second-year receiver heading into the spring game.
“Tai really was the guy last year that came on strong and unfortunately had the hamstring that slowed him up at the end. But he's a guy that you know, he had the injury in high school and to see him flash and the speed is still there, definitely has the big play potential to fit in that room," Locksley said back on April 28. "He's a talented young player. So I just think his knowledge now and having been in the system through training camp through the season, and now he's like a veteran player. So we're looking for some good things out of Tai because of the type
of speed he has.”
The Freshmen:
Shaleak Knotts: Knotts was the Terps’ highest-rated offensive recruit from the 2022 class. The four-star signee is considered the most ready receiver from the freshmen class. Normally on a team, this talented Knotts wouldn’t see the field much. However, because of the questions surrounding the injured players, Knotts could be on the field right away.
Octavian Smith Jr.: Smith is a pure athlete as he did just about everything at Paint Branch. Coming into Maryland as a wide receiver, he could be a dark horse when it comes to playing time in 2022. Smith is someone everyone should keep their eyes on.
Perry Fisher: A quarterback in high school, Fisher will make the transition to wide receiver once he gets on campus. Fisher has the talent to develop into a productive college receiver. The only question is how long will it take for him to get comfortable in his new position? His speed and natural athleticism stuck out during his work last summer just prior to his commitment, but he'll add depth to a room that needs long-term answers.
Leon Haughton Jr.: Haughton is listed as the tallest receiver in the 2022 recruiting class, coming in at 6-foot-4. He has a chance to grow into a red zone threat. That will all depend on when Haughton will be ready to face off against Big Ten corners, but he gives the room a big-bodied receiver that they'll lose once Demus is off to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Verdict: The receivers come into 2022 with plenty of talent along with as many questions. Besides Jarrett and Copeland, everyone else is either injured or young. If the Terps can get the injured back early and the young guys develop, this could be one of the best units in the Big Ten.
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