Which transfer WR could prove most critical for Maryland Football in 2026?

Ahmed Ghafir
21 hours ago
2 min read

While there's reason for confidence in growth from rising sophomore quarterback Malik Washington after putting together a strong spring and building on his first season as the full-time starter, the question remains whether Maryland has enough at the skill positions around him in 2026.

Maryland returns three starters from last year's offensive line while Tellek Lockette, who logged over 2,000 snaps through his college career before transferring to Maryland, arrives to add veteran experience at left guard. Local guard Ryan Howerton will have a chance to take over as the full-time starting right guard after drawing those reps in the spring, while former Virginia blue-chip tackle Jaylen Gilchrist will look to push the tackle room to become a starter after his true freshman season was cut short due to what ended up being a season-ending injury in week one. Wide receiver Kaleb Webb is the only returning receiver who recorded at least ten receptions one season ago, which is why Maryland turned to the transfer portal after watching a trio of top contributors head to the NFL this offseason.

FOX Sports pointed to one of the two as the biggest portal addition of the offseason with ODU Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding drawing the tag.

"Maryland is building around sophomore quarterback Malik Washington after an encouraging freshman season. With the Terrapins losing their top three receivers, Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding fills a significant need," Michael Cohen of FOX Sports wrote. "He led Old Dominion in receptions and touchdown catches while recording multiple 100-yard performances last year. His production should give Washington another reliable target."

Gladding will get a chance to showcase himself as a downfield threat where the former Stone Bridge (Va.) product, who remains friends with former high school teammate Tai Felton, is expected to step into one of the starting roles. Yet it might by Wyoming transfer receiver Chris Durr Jr. who draws that title by season's end where the explosive and shifty receiver has a chance to capitalize in the screen game and short passes under offensive coordinator Clint Trickett. Durr also put together a strong month during spring practices with the shifty slot receiver showcasing his hands, evidenced by the one-handed touchdown catch in practice.

While the wide receiver room will have a chance to live up to expectations after the unit struggled with drops in 2025, a point of emphasis this offseason as Durr and Gladding both did well avoiding drops in college, Washington has a promising tight end room to turn to. Preston Howard boomeranged back to College Park after one season at Auburn where he and Dorian Fleming lead the room while JT Taggart, who posses an 81.25-inch wingspan and nearly 33.5-inch arms, adds intrigue as a rotational piece after playing in every game as a true freshman.

While Ryan Manning returns as an upperclassman in the room looking to build on his eight career catches, Maryland will also look to see a pair of true freshmen and former St. James teammates, Jayden Kitchens and Josiah Teasley, step up to round out the rotation while former four-star Zymear Smith prepares for his second season.

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