After Maryland's bowl win over Auburn in Nashville over the weekend, it's now onto 2024 as head coach Mike Locksley and the staff get a chance to hit the reset button before filling out the rest of the roster. While players make their decisions on future plans, Maryland saw official news from one key veteran released on Wednesday afternoon as defensive coordinator Brian Williams looks to reload.
Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite was more likely to return to Maryland for another season than depart for either the portal or NFL, but Wednesday's official announcement is a big piece for next season. Hyppolite, who has emerged as a locker room leader over the last two seasons, gives Maryland a dependable piece for the defense to lean on while keeping the inside linebacker room a position of strength next year. Hyppolite has made himself a mainstay in the rotation ever since arriving in College Park, starting 33 games over the last three seasons, and looks to build off his strong performance in the bowl game to become a 2025 NFL Draft prospect.
One piece on the defensive side of the ball that remains up in the air is Donnell Brown as he finalizes his stay-or-go decision, but a return still seems more likely than the NFL at this stage. While Hyppolite became one piece to announce his decision to return in 2024, I also expect defensive end Quashon Fuller to return for a third season with the program with the defensive line becoming a potential position of strength. And considering Hyppolite’s announcement combined with Kellan Wyatt and Caleb Wheatland back, along with the debut of Neeo Avery in 2024, there’s a lot to like in the front seven. Maryland is still looking to bolster the defensive end spot and while there are offers out to Anton Juncaj (Albany) and Grady Kelly (Colorado St.), one name to keep tabs on is Alabama DE Monkell Goodwine, who played at National Christian Academy (MD) back in high school. A local source told IBG there’s a “high chance” that Maryland is the spot, but there’s nothing imminent just yet. Goodwine does fit the description of a portal target along the defensive line, though.
On the offensive side of the ball, finding another offensive lineman, likely an offensive tackle, remains the focus after OL DJ Glaze accepted his Reese’s Senior Bowl invite. While the midyear transfers aren’t eligible to suit up in bowl games, the chance for Maryland to work with former Georgia OL Aliou Bah during bowl prep gives confidence to what the Terps can roll out with next year’s starting offensive line. Bah’s athleticism for someone measuring in at 6-foot-5, 325-pounds has turned heads and while he's better equipped to play guard, the early feedback is he gives assistant Brian Braswell a potential tackle option. It seems increasingly likely that Bah will challenge for a starting role in 2024, but finding one more along the offensive line remains a focus.
Maryland could also evaluate additional cornerbacks in the portal and the addition of former Bowling Green CB Jalen Huskey, who was with the team through bowl practice, adds one potential starter. They’ll evaluate for other targets as the portal continues to evolve through the offseason, but the performance of the young cornerbacks also adds confidence to the current cornerback room. Perry Fisher has long been tabbed as a high-ceiling prospect who, like Preston Howard at tight end, was developing into his new position. Saturday’s win vs. Auburn marked his breakout performance as he steps into an impact role in year three.
With the portal continuing to evolve into the offseason and visits kicking off around the country, Maryland is hitting the reset following the bowl week with visits off for this weekend and everyone headed back to College Park beginning next week.
Meanwhile, the attention also shifts a bit to 2025 where Maryland has laid the foundation with several local targets, especially with the number of targets in the secondary like Gonzaga safety Kainoa Winston and cornerback Devenchi Arnold, St. John’s cornerback Tariq Hayer and Spalding duo Trent Gillis and Jayden Shipps. Two top targets are expected to release their top groups this week with four-star QB Malik Washington announcing a top six on Thursday at 3 PM then RB Iverson Howard releasing his top ten on Friday. Maryland is expected to make the top group for both local targets, though confidence sits higher with Washington as local buzz continues to point to the Terps being the early team to beat for the local four-star.
Related Links Ruben Hyppolite announces return for 2024Terps roundup: tipoff set, WR invited to Hula Bowl, Jahmir Young honoredLocal four-star on Maryland’s bowl success: “They definitely practice what they preach” (+)
What Maryland head coach Kevin Willard, players said after 67-53 loss vs. PurduePurdue leads wire-to-wire, dominates Maryland 67-53Maryland remains consistent with visiting guard target (+)
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