Welcome to the second edition of Maryland’s projected two-deep. Maryland put the pads on for the first time last Friday and are now two days into camp with full pads. With the first scrimmage set for this Saturday, we unveil the latest projections with a few tweaks.
Quarterback
Starter: Taulia Tagovailoa
Backup: Billy Edwards Jr
Skinny: No changes here. This is the first season where there’s truly no competition for the starting quarterback position while Edwards gets his first camp in College Park. Jayden Sauray and Cam Edge have been able to participate in their first fall camp as they round out the depth.
Running Back
Starter: Colby McDonald OR Roman Hemby
Backup: Antwain Littleton OR Ramon Brown
Skinny: Challen Faamatau won’t be available any time soon as McDonald and Hemby are ahead of the pack. Four-star freshman Ramon Brown will have himself a role in the rushing attack while Littleton has made himself available in the rotation.
Wide Receivers
WR-X
Starter: Dontay Demus
Backup: Tai Felton
WR-Z
Starter: Jacob Copeland
Backup: Jeshaun Jones
WR-H
Starter: Rakim Jarrett
Backup: Marcus Fleming
Skinny: No changes in the latest edition. Demus takes over at the X like he did last year while he and Jeshaun Jones have sported the yellow jersey with the staff keeping an eye on their rehab process. Tai Felton has drawn praise at times through the first week of camp, too.
Tight Ends
Starter: Corey Dyches
Backup: CJ Dippre OR Weston Wolff
Skinny: No changes here but Dyches drew praise from Jacob Copeland following Tuesday’s practice. “He’s most definitely another us. He’s a receiver for sure, he’s just at tight end position. He works smooth in everything he .”
Offensive Line
LT
Starter: Jaelyn Duncan
Backup: Andre Roye
LG
Starter: Mason Lunsford
Backup: Ja’Khi Green OR Khris Love
C
Starter: Johari Branch
Backup: Aric Harris
RG
Starter: Spencer Anderson
Backup: Amelio Moran
RT
Starter: DJ Glaze
Backup: Max McCree
Skinny: The change has been made for Anderson at right guard and DJ Glaze at right tackle. The two have flip-flopped through the first week and change of practice but Glaze reclaiming the tackle spot opposite of Duncan seems more likely as things stand. Anderson was credited for being a versatile piece along the offensive line by the staff during media day and while there was a time when he didn’t want to play guard, it’s where his NFL future sits and could be why he shifts back inside.
Defensive Line
END
Starter: Greg Rose OR Quashon Fuller
Backup: Tyler Baylor
NOSE
Starter: Ami Finau
Backup: Henry Chibueze
TACKLE
Starter: Mosiah Nasili-Kite
Backup: Tommy Akingbesote
Skinny: I expect Chibueze to become the primary backup nose tackle where, in time, he could line up at defensive tackle next to Ami Finau especially during conference play. Quashon Fuller has come on strong as this weekend’s scrimmage could settle things outside.
Linebackers
JACK
Starter: Durell Nchami
Backup: VanDarius Cowan OR Greg Rose OR TJ Butler
MIKE
Starter: Ruben Hyppolite
Backup: Jaishawn Barham
WILL
Starter: Gereme Spraggins OR Fa’Najae Gotay
Backup: Caleb Wheatland
SAM
Starter: VanDarius Cowan
Backup: Ahmad McCullough OR Kellan Wyatt
Skinny: Noticeable change from last week following TJ Kautai’s departure, but with the progression of Barham and Wheatland, it’s a departure that the linebackers can certainly absorb. This has not been said to me, but Barham as a situational outside linebacker maybe on third downs could be where he fits in to mix up the front seven, but the instinctive linebacker continues to stand out during practice.
Secondary
CB
Starter: Tarheeb Still OR Deonte Banks
Backup: Corey Coley OR Chantz Harley
FS
Starter: Dante Trader
Backup: Glen Miller OR Isaiah Hazel
SS
Starter: Beau Brade
Backup: Lavain Scruggs OR Gavin Gibson
CB
Starter: Jakorian Bennett
Backup: Lionell Whitaker OR Perry Fisher
NICKEL
Starter: Glen Miller OR Isaiah Hazel
Backup: Jayon Venerable
Skinny: The addition of Harley gives Maryland some added depth at the position, but the starting cornerbacks remain the same. The change here is Dante Trader as the starting free safety where he saw ample time last fall. Isaiah Hazel gives the unit quality depth and he can also fit in as a nickel corner, where both he and Glen Miller can line up.
Special Teams
K: Chad Ryland
P: Anthony Pecorella
KR: Roman Hemby OR Tarheeb Still OR Jacob Copeland OR Deonte Banks OR Octavian Smith
PR: Tarheeb Still or Octavian Smith
Skinny: No changes at kicker, Pecorella could prevail as the full-time starting punter this fall. I expect to get more clarity on the returners following the first scrimmage this weekend.