For many years, it seems that the Terrapins’ weakest offensive position was the offensive line. Both in the ACC and the Big Ten, they were often overmatched by bigger and more talented defensive lines. However in 2017, Maryland’s offensive line began to come into their own, anchored by two excellent tackles on the outside. All 5 of the Terrapins’ starting offensive linemen from last season will return in 2018, creating the most talented and experienced line fans have seen in College Park in some time.

This article is part of a series previewing the 2018 Maryland football season. You can find my full projected depth chart here.

(Discuss this article on the BSL Message Board here.)

Derwin Gray (Redshirt Senior)

2018 Projection: Starter (Left Tackle)
2017 Statistics: 12 games played (12 starts)

Gray arrived in College Park as a 4-star recruit in former head coach Randy Edsall’s 2014 class. There were high expectations for him from the beginning, and he certainly fulfilled those expectations last season. Starting all of the team’s games at left tackle, he was named the team’s best offensive lineman. According to Pro Football Focus, he had the fourth-best pass blocking efficiency in the conference.

Gray returns as the Terrapins’ starting left tackle in his final season with the team. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to impress NFL scouts this year, and will likely be one of multiple Maryland linemen to move up to the next level in 2019.

Damian Prince (Redshirt Senior)

2018 Projection: Starter (Right Tackle)
2017 Statistics: 11 games played (11 starts)

Another blue-chip offensive lineman recruited by Edsall, Prince came to Maryland as a 5-star recruit in 2014. He’s served as Maryland’s full time starting right tackle since 2016, and was named to the 2017 Atholton Sports Third Team All-Big Ten. According to Pro Football Focus, he led the conference in pass blocking efficiency last season and leads all 2018 returning tackles in pressures allowed.

Prince returns as Maryland’s starting right tackle in his senior season. Like Gray, he’ll be looking to impress NFL scouts after opting not to enter the draft this year.

Marcus Minor (Sophomore)

2018 Projection: Second-Team (Left Tackle)
2017 Statistics: 9 games played (1 start)

Minor saw immediate playing time last season as a true freshman, after coming to Maryland as a 4-star recruit from nearby DeMatha Catholic High School. While most major recruiting agencies projected him as a guard, head coach DJ Durkin and his coaching staff mostly slotted him at tackle in 2017. He started one game at right tackle in relief of an injured Prince against Michigan State.

I have projected Minor to serve as Gray’s primary backup at left tackle this season. He could also see time at right tackle if the need arose, and would likely relieve either Gray or Prince if one of them happens to go down. Regardless, he has the inside track for a starting job next season.

Tyran Hunt (Redshirt Freshman)

2018 Projection: Second-Team (Right Tackle)
2017 Statistics: Redshirt

Hunt redshirted last season after coming to College Park as a 3-star recruit. Standing a tall 6-foot-7, he has bulked up considerably since entering the program. While his size projects him as a left tackle, he doesn’t quite have the footwork necessary yet to man that position.

Therefore, I’m projecting Hunt to serve as Prince’s primary backup at right tackle in 2018. However, as mentioned above I’d expect Minor to be the top backup tackle. Hunt will have an excellent chance to contribute in a major way next year.

TJ Bradley (Redshirt Sophomore)

2018 Projection: Third-Team (Left Tackle)
2017 Statistics (Lackawanna Community College): N/A

Bradley spent his last 3 seasons at Lackawanna Community College in Scranton, PA. Despite spending nearly 6 years away from the sport of football, he garnered major attention from programs during his time at Lackawanna. Like Hunt, he stands an impressive 6-foot-7, but unofficial reports put him a few inches taller than that.

I have projected Bradley to serve as the team’s third-string left tackle behind Gray and Minor. His size gives the coaching staff plenty to work with during his next 3 years with the program. There’s no doubt that he could compete for significant playing time next season.

Jaelyn Duncan (Freshman)

2018 Projection: Redshirt
2017 Statistics (High School): N/A

Duncan comes to College Park as a very highly-regarded 4-star recruit from St. Frances Academy. 247Sports ranks him as the 11th-best offensive tackle in the country, and the 6th-best recruit from the state of Maryland. He chose the Terrapins over offers from countless major programs, such as Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. Standing an impressive 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, he has the size to contribute immediately.

I have projected Duncan to redshirt this season, primarily due to the presence of Gray and Prince above him on the depth chart. However, when they graduate after this season there is a good chance Duncan fills one of the holes they leave behind in 2019.

Spencer Anderson (Freshman)

2018 Projection: Redshirt
2017 Statistics (High School): N/A

Anderson arrives in College Park as a 3-star recruit from nearby Bishop McNamara High School. Like Duncan, he was recruited by the team’s ace recruiter Aazaar Abdul-Rahim and chose the Terrapins over offers from Kentucky, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and others. He could use some time in the weight room to bulk up a bit, but should have a chance to compete for playing time next season. I have projected him to redshirt in 2018.

Zack Kiesel
Zack Kiesel

Terps Analyst

Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: [email protected].

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