TE Dorian Fleming, P Bryce McFerson praised in Phil Steele's preview, where Maryland football ranked

Ahmed Ghafir
17 hours ago
3 min read

Maryland football was one of two Big Ten teams and 14 total teams listed among ‘bull market teams’ in Phil Steele’s annual college football preview magazine, but still found itself in familiar territory.

With ten returning starters and the team ranked 132nd in the country in experience, Maryland tied Northwestern at 16th in the Big Ten and 72nd overall in Phil Steele’s college football rankings.

Overview: “The Terps were the 4th-best team in the East under Locksley, but in non-COVID years were 0-15 vs. Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. Last year they lost their QB Taulia Tagovailoa .The Terps had momentum after a solid bowl win vs Auburn and five Big Ten home games. They opened 3-1 and 4-3 but lost their last 5 by 23 ppg! This year they rate a Stock Market Indicator of +4 and avoid Oregon, Ohio St. and Penn St. but need a QB to emerge to get back to a bowl. Locksley said that last year due to NIL was the first time he ever lost a locker room. But this year they are in much better shape in that area and that could mean a return to form.”

TE Dorian Fleming was also the program’s lone All-Big Ten selection, checking in as a fourth-team selection heading into his first season with the program, despite Bryce McFerson ranked the fifth-best draft-eligible punter. Jalen Huskey also ranked the 36th-best draft-eligible cornerback, though the Quince Orchard product is expected to remain at safety in 2025 after making the position switch midway through conference play in 2024.

Maryland’s wide receiver and linebacker units were also the lone positions to slide into the final spot inside the conference’s positional rankings with the receivers leading the way at 47th nationally compared to 58th for the linebackers. The defensive backs, led by Huskey and portal additions Jamare Glasker and Dontay Joyner, also ranked as the 60th-best unit nationally with Lavain Scruggs also projected to start.

While favorable with just two projected ranked preseason teams on the schedule and a September non-conference slate giving the team a chance to build momentum into late September, Maryland’s 2025 schedule ranked middle of the pack nationally at 46th overall.

Full breakdown: “In Mike Locksley’s 4th year (’21), they won their first bowl for their first eight-win season since 2010 and ended a 15-game losing streak to ranked foes. In ’23, the question was could the Terps break through and beat one of the big boys. They played Ohio St and Michigan tough but lost. They won their 3rd bowl in three years for first time in school history. The Terps last won a conference title in 2001. Last year Michigan and Ohio State dropped off the schedule, so expectations were high. They opened 3-1 but lost at Indiana and at home to Northwestern. After upsetting [USC], Maryland lost their last 5 for an unexpected 4-8 season. Maryland is 0-36 vs Big Ten ranked teams since 2014. This year they lose most of their top skill players on offense and top DL on defense. While the Terps have 5 Big Ten road games, they do avoid Ohio St, Oregon and Penn St. Maryland was -57 ypg in Big Ten play and have some ground to make up. They need a QB to emerge in Locksley’s pass-happy offense to get back to a bowl. Last year was far below expectations so they are back under the radar. The NIL situation resulted in a lost locker room at the end of the year. That situation has been resolved thanks to the work Locksley does, with his 3 straight winning years prior. They should get off to a strong start this year and, if they get solid QB play (and I think they will), they will have a shot at getting back to a bowl, even with 5 Big Ten road games.”

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