Veteran wide receiver Dontay Demus will miss the remainder of the 2021 season with a knee injury, head coach Mike Locksley announced today.
“The hit to Dontay Demus, Dontay is out. Season-ending knee surgery here this week. Obviously very devastated for a player that I felt was playing at a very high level,” Locksley said on Tuesday. “What that means for us is the next man has to kind of pick up some of the slack that losing a player like Dontay’s caliber. I’m sure Dontay will do everything he can, as he said going up into the tunnel, to come back whether it’s here at Maryland or hopefully at the next level.”
The news comes as a considerable blow to an offense that was stopped in its tracks during Friday night’s blowout loss to Iowa. Maryland amassed just slightly more than 150 yards of total offense in the final three quarters, sending Locksley and offensive coordinator Dan Enos back to the drawing board.
“Dontay is a great player. I don’t think you can fill the void that he’s leaving. I think all of us, the receivers, need to step up,” receiver Rakim Jarrett added. “Dontay is one of a kind.”
The loss of Demus also leaves quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa without his go-to target. Demus was named a top-ten wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft last week by Mel Kiper Jr. and was on pace to entrench himself in the program’s record book. Demus has started 22 consecutive games and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten after posting 365 receiving yards and four downs on 24 receptions last season. His unique blend of size and speed has prompted questions about his potential as the next Maryland receiver in the NFL and back on media day, Demus admitted he contemplated declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft. “I had thoughts here and there, last season didn’t really go how I planned it to, only playing five games, but it was definitely a thought not going to lie,” Demus told Inside the Black and Gold back on media day. “Now, I’m just focused on this season.”
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley revealed that he and Demus had a “tough” conversation last offseason about Demus’ pro potential and ever since then, “I’ve seen a totally different Dontay Demus,” he added.
“Last year, he was a guy who we turned his name into the NFL as a potential early out. We sat down and had conversations at the end of the season and we talked about where they saw him, we had some really tough, honest conversations about things that needed to be done for him to take the next step and from that day on, I’ve seen a totally different Dontay Demus,” Locksley said this season.
Demus has registered 507 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 28 receptions, all team-highs, in five games this season as Maryland is now tasked with replacing his production.
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