Maryland football added 26 players through the high school or junior college ranks heading into the 2023 season, but which players preserved a season of eligibility? With the regular season now complete and a chance to see new, young faces in Maryland’s upcoming bowl game, we take a look at how Maryland’s freshman class fared this season. Burned through redshirt (games played) WR Braden Wisloski (12) TE Dylan Wade (9) DT Dillan Fontus (9) TE Rico Walker (8) ILB Mike Harris (7) SAF Alex Moore (7) TE AJ Szymanski (6) ILB Daniel Wingate (6) NT Lavon Johnson (5) CB Kevis Thomas (5) Maryland entered the 2023 season with multiple return candidates, with Octavian Smith Jr., Roman Hemby and Tai Felton all possessing the top-end speed to provide game-changing plays in the third phase of the game, an area that Maryland has drastically improved in under the direction of James Thomas Jr. While playing in every game this season, Wisloski took over the role after his 98-yard kickoff return vs. Virginia, the first Terp to return a kickoff for a TD since 2019. Wisloski ended the season tied for fourth in kick return yards per game (23.5), finishing with 353 yards and one TD on 14 returns. Among the three freshmen tight ends, Dylan Wade was the one who ended up playing the most with three yards and one touchdown on two catches in nine games this season. Walker, a former four-star prospect out of Hickory (NC), finished with 27 yards on four catches in eight games, though didn’t appear in the final three games of the regular season. The decision for freshman linebacker Mike Harris proved to pay off after appearing in seven games this season, tallying four tackles and a pass breakup against Indiana after registering his first tackle for his loss in his first career game. Former Pallotti duo Alex Moore and Daniel Wingate also burned their redshirts, playing in seven and six games in 2023, as Wingate recorded his first tackle for loss in the season-finale win vs. Rutgers. In-state tight end AJ Szymanski filled in as Maryland’s short yardage tight end this season, appearing in seven games, while both NT Lavon Johnson and CB Kevis Thomas appeared in five games each with Johnson recording a two-yard sack against Rutgers. Eligible for redshirt (games played) OLB DJ Samuels (4) CB Mykel Morman (2) IOL Kevin Kalonji (1) WR Ryan Manning (1) RB Nolan Ray (1) IOL Tamarus Walker (1) QB Robert Long (1) OLB Neeo Avery (0) OLB Dylan Gooden (0) WR Ezekiel Avit (0) CB Jonathan Akins (0) IOL Deandre Duffus (0) SAF Tayvon Nelson (0) WR Josh Richards (0) WR Sean Williams (0) Safety Tamarcus Cooley was one of two players to play in four games this season, but preserving his eligibility won’t help the Terps in the future. Cooley was the first player to announce his intention to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday morning. Linebacker DJ Samuels was the second player to see action in four games this season, while cornerback Mykel Morman was the lone player to appear in two games this season after playing against Towson and Virginia. OL Kevin Kalonji, WR Ryan Manning, RB Nolan Ray and OL Tamarus Walker all saw the field in the season-opening win against Towson. Kalonji filled in at right tackle with Walker rotating inside, while Manning recorded a pair of catches for 18 yards in the win. Ray tallied seven yards on three carries before suffering an injury that would derail the remainder of his freshman season. Wide receiver Sean Williams, meanwhile, was ruled out with a season-ending injury heading into week three while former Good Counsel (MD) four-star Neeo Avery was a weekly scratch through the 2023 regular season after returning to practice heading into the Penn State game. Related Links SEC suitors monitoring Maryland verbal with visits on the table (+)Everything Kevin Willard, players said after 103-76 win vs. RiderMaryland breezes past Rider, 103-76, for third straight winSecond-year OL Ja’Kavion Nonar announces intent to enter transfer portalSeven Terps draw All-Big Ten honors on defense, special teamsNotes with Maryland football offseason, decisions in full swing (+)
top of page
bottom of page