Which Maryland football freshmen are on track to burn redshirt status in 2025?

Ahmed Ghafir
Sep 26
3 min read

Maryland football’s freshmen class was expected to become a big part of the 2025 team’s identity, and through four games, they’ve matched that expectation.

Four: QB Malik Washington, safety Messiah Delhomme, RB Iverson Howard, OLB Zahir Mathis, DB Jayden Shipps, LB CJ Smith, OLB Sidney Stewart, OLB Nahsir Taylor, TE JT Taggart

Over half of Maryland’s early enrollees have already played in all four games with QB Malik Washington, safety Messiah Delhomme, RB Iverson Howard, LB CJ Smith, OLB Sidney Stewart and OLB Nahsir Taylor all carving out roles heading into the heart of Big Ten play. They’ve done more than just appear through the first four games, though, with Washington making his strong, early case as the country’s best freshman quarterback through the first month of the season. Delhomme, who IBG will profile this weekend, has rotated in at safety behind veteran Jalen Huskey while dazzling on special teams with blocked punts in consecutive games heading into the bye week. CJ Smith, who led the team in tackles against Towson, quietly stuck out through spring ball with his play recognition and pursuit translating to College Park as he’s entrenched in a strong linebacker room. Stewart, of course, is tied with a Big Ten-leading four sacks in four games after proving himself as a difference maker like he flashed all offseason. Taylor, who didn’t return after suffering an injury vs. Wisconsin, has flashed with three TFLs and teaming up for his first career sack vs. NIU. Howard, meanwhile, has rounded out the RB rotation with 91 yards on 25 attempts through four games.

The early enrollees aren’t the only ones who’ve played early and often with OLB Zahir Mathis, DB Jayden Shipps and TE JT Taggart appearing in all four games after arriving in June. Mathis has been as advertised since arriving to campus, building on his profile as a potential difference-maker in the rotation where he’s already started in all four games to open the season with already 2.5 sacks and four TFLs. Shipps has rounded out the nickel rotation alongside sophomore ‘Kerm’ Humes to elevate the secondary, while Taggart has rotated in but has not recorded a stat in four appearances.

Three: OL Amory Hills

Two: WR Zymear Smith, DL Bryce Jenkins

OL Amory Hills arrived in June where the former wrestler was recruited as interior lineman with the chance to play either center, where he started at Milford Mill (MD), or guard, where he appeared in each nonconference game. WR Zymear Smith, a long-term candidate as a returner, hasn’t recorded a stat in his two appearances while DL Bryce Jenkins, who was injured to open the 2025 season, has logged three tackles and one solo vs. Towson before appearing vs. Wisconsin.

One: OT Jaylen Gilchrist

Zero: WR Justin DeVaughn, ILB Travares Daniels, RB Bud Coombs, OT Ben Beymer, DL Delmar White, QB Jackson Hamilton, OT Lamar Williams, DL Dante Recker

OT Jaylen Gilchrist, a former four-star out of Salem (VA), suffered a long-term injury after going down in the season-opening win vs. FAU while RB Bud Combs, who has not appeared yet this season, could return if Maryland reaches a bowl game. Other freshmen who have yet to appear in a game this season include WR Justin DeVaughn, ILB Travares Daniels, OT Ben Beymer, DL Delmar White, QB Jackson Hamilton, OT Lamar Williams and DL Dante Recker.

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