While the transfer portal closed roughly one month ago, Maryland football saw its first post-spring departure on Monday morning after veteran linebacker Fa'Najae Gotay entered the transfer portal. Gotay, a 5-foot-11, 232-pound linebacker, was entering his seventh season with the program but will now use his final season of eligibility elsewhere as Maryland trims closer to the 85-man scholarship limit. The Florida tackle arrived in College Park back in 2018 alongside Jeshaun Jones, who now enters his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings, as Gotay saw time in four games as a freshman. His first start came in the 2019 season finale versus Michigan State where he led the defense with 15 tackles (eight solo), the most by any Terp in a game all season. After appearing in all but one game in the shortened COVID season, Gotay's 2021 season was lost after suffering a season-ending injury in the season-opening win versus West Virginia. Gotay started in four games and appeared in seven more as a redshirt senior in 2022, finishing eighth on the team with 37 tackles, before starting in a pair of games in 2023. Gotay posted 133 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks and a pair of interceptions as a Terp. While the inside linebacker room loses a veteran piece, there's also ample returning production with fifth-year linebacker Ruben Hyppolite back alongside third-year linebacker Caleb Wheatland with Daniel Wingate and Michael Harris entering their second season with the program. Prior to Gotay's departure, Maryland was the only Power Four school to not have an outgoing portal entry. Related Links
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