top of page
Writer's pictureAhmed Ghafir

Three Points of Optimism, Skepticism for '21 Season

Maryland football begins fall camp next Friday as the Terps gear up for year three under Mike Locksley. With the third-most returning production in the Big Ten, what can fans expect from Maryland this year? Where are the strengths and weaknesses on the roster? We dive in with the season inching closer.


Optimism


Separation in the passing game?

At this point, you’re aware that the Terps have a multitude of options in their receiving threats. Wide receiver Dontay Demus enters the season with NFL Draft buzz and carries the number one receiver tag, but he’s not alone with Brian Cobbs, Jeshaun Jones, and Darryl Jones serving as veterans alongside him. Cobbs, the inside receiver, and Jeshaun Jones could start opposite of Demus with Darryl Jones finding his share of targets. Rakim Jarrett flashed in year one and is making it a point to become a more consistent receiver this season on his path to becoming the next great Maryland receiver. Then there’s a young crew of talent in DeaJaun McDougle, Dino Tomlin, Nick Degennaro, and Tai Felton where the room adds a ton of speed. Tall wideout Carlos Carriere remains in the mix, but does a consistent number two emerge alongside Demus?

That could be where tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo plays a role, where he returns to add another dimension down the seam in Maryland’s arsenal. It’s a good problem to have as the Terps clearly have options, but Cobbs could be one to watch with his consistency and ability to move the sticks. In addition to the “richigulous” fans may see this season, Cobbs adds a different dimension to the offense that helps make the Terps lethal at multiple levels. Maryland also added former four-star Marcus Fleming this offseason as he’ll look to crack the two-deep.

Young secondary building off 2020 success

The secondary finished third in pass defense and fourth in defensive efficiency as Henry Baker made an evident improvement at cornerback last season. Maryland returns safety Nick Cross and cornerback Tarheeb Still while senior cornerback Jakorian Bennett has a chance to make a big jump. There’s a lot of confidence in the backline between those three, but Deonte Banks is another whose physical play has allowed him to match up against top receivers last season. There was confidence even when Maryland signed Banks that he’d be a steal and he’s been every bit of that so far. Kenny Bennett and Lavonte Gater are others who made strides in 2020 while freshman Corey Coley and nickel Jayon Venerable can find their niche.

Jordan Mosley looked vastly improved during the spring game, a version of Mosley that would bolster the safeties alongside Cross. Beau Brade has a full season now under his belt while Isaiah Hazel is gaining comfort on the defensive side of the ball. Glen Miller has done well to add weight to his once-thin frame through his time with the program to pave a path onto the field, giving credence to the confidence that Maryland has the talent in the secondary.

Where the Terps can improve is in interceptions, finishing with just two in five games.

New ILB Identity

Gone are Ayinde Eley (Georgia Tech) and Chance Campbell (Ole Miss) as the Terps now look to Ruben Hyppolite and Fa’Najae Gotay inside. Brandon Jennings is a freshman who will see plenty of time while juco signee Gereme Spraggins is a mid-summer arrival who immediately impacts the room. Between Jennings and Spraggins, the Terps have two inexperienced linebackers who do well to find contact and lay the wood while doing it. The question is, can it be enough to fill Eley and Campbell’s shoes? The inside linebacker is considered the quarterback of the defense and while there are big shoes to fill, there’s been steady confidence that Gotay can take that next step as he’s made continuous strides since the Michigan State game in 2019. Now that’ll be up to the test, but Hyppolite’s relentless work ethic can help fill that role alongside Gotay.

Maryland also added former five-star Terrence Lewis but it remains unclear when he will be available to suit up this season. The unit will have former juco signee TJ Kautai available after opting out last season due to COVID-19.


Skepticism

Can the offensive line hold up?

Along the outside, no concerns. Maryland has a pair of veteran tackles returning in Jaelyn Duncan and Spencer Anderson at left and right tackle. But the inside of the line will look a bit different after Marcus Minor (Pitt) and Johnny Jordan (VT) departed from the program. Once a potential tackle prospect, Mason Lunsford has shifted inside and done well through his two years to the program and is slated to take the spot at left guard, flipping Johari Branch to the right side of the ball. Newcomer Aric Harris will get a chance to take the starting center spot once he prepares himself for the college level, but there are still questions along the starting interior. Can they gel well together? Can Branch and Lunsford maintain their push upfront? It’s a big if for Maryland this year and one that will dictate just how well the offense can do this season. The Terps also have Evan Gregory in the rotation and is a serviceable guard, but time will tell if the OL can hold Tagovailoa upright through conference play.

Which Tagovailoa will emerge?

Which brings me to my next point—which version of Tagovailoa will fans see this fall? In four games last fall, Tagovailoa threw for three touchdowns twice and three interceptions in the other two. It was a season of inconsistent showings at both ends of the spectrum, but this can be viewed as a point of optimism.

Locksley and new offensive coordinator Dan Enos have talked extensively this offseason about how the terminology and signals have become simplified and mirror the terminology used at Alabama. Pair that with a full offseason with his teammates, including six months with Enos, and there’s logic in the belief that Tagovailoa has all the tools to thrive right here in College Park.

The rushing aspect of Tagovailoa’s game can’t be overlooked, but for a quarterback that’s drawing 2022 NFL Draft buzz, the 2021 season is where he’ll truly mold his own legacy as a starting college quarterback. Consistency is the key.

New Look Rushing Attack

Jake Funk thrived in an expanded role in 2020 and fans will look for Tayon Fleet-Davis to do the same in 2021 as the backfield is tasked with replacing Funk. Though Fleet-Davis has had an opportunity to showcase himself through his career, this season will mark the first where he becomes the primary back. Where Fleet-Davis helps the backfield is his ability to also catch, evident on the highlight-worthy, one-handed catch during the spring game. Behind him, Isaiah Jacobs returns while true freshman Roman Hemby is expected to be the workhorse among the freshmen signings. Peny Boone also returns where he’s down over 20 pounds from last season, addressing a concern of his coming out of high school. His conditioning has improved to help give him more reps this season. Maryland also brings in Colby McDonald, a scat back who can do damage in the passing game, and Antwain Littleton, who enters fall camp at running back.

On paper, Maryland has the potential to replace Funk’s production from a season ago. Maryland has given ample reps to freshman running backs and, as mentioned, Hemby is an all-purpose back that figures into the rotation. But how does the snap count shake out? Can Maryland stay consistent on the ground? The Terps can roll out a pass-first team with a rushing attack that keeps defenses honest, but the play from the offensive line will also tell just how successful that ends up being.

0 comments

Comments


bottom of page