Three storylines to track in Maryland football's spring game

Maryland is set to wrap up spring football on Saturday with kickoff set for 12:05 PM inside SECU Stadium.

The game will be streamed live on B1G+ and broadcast on BTN at 6 PM, but fans will get a chance to take in SECU Stadium on Maryland Day with free parking in Lot Z/1, along with most of campus. Meanwhile, head coach Mike Locksley announced this week that First Baptist Church of Glenarden pastor John K Jenkins Sr. will serve as the honorary head coach for the White Team, while Zion Church pastor Zion Battle will lead the Red Team. With 11 returning starters in 2024 and the first wave of portal additions filling key voids for Maryland, what should fans expect on Saturday? We take a look at three things to watch.

Proud to have Pastor @johnkjenkins (@FBCG) and Pastor @KeithBattle (@zionanywhere) serve as our first honorary guest coaches for Saturday's Red-White Spring Game!

See everyone in The Shell Saturday!! pic.twitter.com/5799vNQb0l

— Michael Locksley (@CoachLocks) April 24, 2024

How do the QBs fare?

Maryland has leveraged spring ball to begin the long-anticipated quarterback battle with MJ Morris, Billy Edwards Jr and Cam Edge at the top looking to provide separation. With Edwards likely getting a chance to work with the first-team offense, Morris will get another chance to showcase himself in his third and final scrimmage this spring. For Edwards, his comfort and familiarity within Locksley’s offense has gone a long way this spring while Edge has also been able to showcase his big arm through the spring, though he was one of two quarterbacks in a ‘no contact’ uniform during last Saturday’s scrimmage at Ballou. Morris, meanwhile, was able to find the endzone on one drive in last week’s live session after connecting with Robert Smith over the middle. How he fares against the first-team defense on Saturday will give fans another chance to see how the former NC State quarterback fits and picks up the Terps’ scheme.

Which of the underclassmen skill players will shine?

Maryland has plenty of returning faces on offense with Tai Felton, Kaden Prather, Roman Hemby and Preston Howard all back. Some names—like Octavian Smith and Shaleak Knotts—have been able to showcase themselves through their first few seasons as Smith found the endzone in the Big Ten opener last fall, while Knotts looks to wrap up what’s been a strong spring for him ahead of what’s expected to be a bigger role in the passing game in the fall. Ryan Manning and Braeden Wisloski have also been able to build off year one with Wisloski back in the return game once again, while Manning has flashed in practice and came down with an impressive one-handed catch in last week’s scrimmage.

While Roman Hemby and Colby McDonald return to stabilize a renewed commitment to establish the run, second-year running back Nolan Ray has been able to flash through the spring as a potential big-play back thanks to his speed and balance making him a tough tackle. Elsewhere, Dylan Wade will look to capitalize on a chance to prove himself as a dependable receiving threat behind Preston Howard with Leon Haughton and AJ Szymanski getting chances to showcase themselves as emerging receiving and blocking tight ends.

What does Maryland’s secondary look like?

While the offensive side of the trenches will feature prominently portal additions and the defensive side returning starters and rotational pieces, the cornerback room will feature several underclassmen that look to provide more separation among each other.

Perry Fisher has built off a strong showing in the bowl game to rotate in for first-team reps alongside Bowling Green transfer Jalen Huskey, with Lionell Whitaker also drawing reps in the slot. Kevis Thomas, who has also drawn reps at punt return, is another who is carving out a role within the rotation while early enrollee Braydon Lee has taken snaps with the second-team defense in camp. The next wave of additions this summer will impact the room with “Kerm” Humes expected to be an early contributor, but will any of the new faces flash on Saturday?

While the safety room has a dependable piece to replace with Beau Brade set to hear his name called during this weekend’s 2024 NFL Draft, Saturday will provide more fans to see the new tandem that’s generated ample confidence in College Park: Dante Trader Jr. and Glen Miller. They aren’t alone with second-year safety Alex Moore and former blue-chip Brandon Jacob getting comfortable under Zac Spavital.

With the quarterback battle in full swing, Saturday’s matchups against a revamped secondary will give fans a closer look into the progress and current state of the receiver and cornerback room heading into summer.

Three storylines to track in Maryland football’s spring game

Ahmed Ghafir