With DJ Moore’s departure to the NFL, the Terrapins have some enormous shoes to fill at the wide receiver position. Fans could only wonder what could have been if Tyrrell Pigrome and/or Kasim Hill had remained healthy and been able to throw to Moore all year in 2017, as he racked up over 1,000 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns despite the revolving door behind center. There are a number of young players vying for time on the field this season, and it’ll be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator Matt Canada utilizes this position in 2018.

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.)

Jahrvis Davenport (Senior)

2018 Projection: Starter (Split End)
2017 Statistics: 13 receptions, 123 yds (9.5 ypr), 0 TD; 0 carries, 0 yds (0.0 ypc)

Davenport finished 3rd on the team in receptions last season, and slowly pried playing time away from Jacquille Veii as the year progressed. While he stands just 5’9”, the majority of his time on the field has come as an outside receiver. He uses the size that he does have extremely well, and is an excellent blocker.

I have projected Davenport to start at split-end this season, but of the three wide receiver spots, this is the one most likely to be a revolving door. There are a number of talented, young players with the skills to play outside, so Davenport will need to prove that he belongs as they gain experience.

Taivon Jacobs (Redshirt Senior)

2018 Projection: Starter (Flanker)
2017 Statistics: 37 receptions, 553 yds (11.8 ypr), 5 TD; 2 carries, 6 yds (3.0 ypc)

Jacobs is the team’s leading returning receiver, and was the only wideout other than Moore to have multiple touchdown catches in 2017. He developed a solid rapport with Max Bortenschlager, and had a stretch during which he caught touchdown passes in three consecutive games. He has always boasted excellent speed, but has developed solid hands as well.

I have projected Jacobs to serve as the team’s starting flanker this season, moving back outside after seeing most of his playing time in the slot last year. With the number of talented slot receivers on the roster it makes sense for Jacobs to slip outside, and that’s exactly what we saw during the team’s Red-White Spring Game.

DJ Turner (Junior)

2018 Projection: Starter (Slot)
2017 Statistics: 5 receptions, 32 yds (6.4 ypr), 0 TD; 0 carries, 0 yds (0.0 ypc)

Turner hasn’t done much so far during his career in College Park, but has consistently impressed the coaching staff during practice and the Red-White Spring Game. With no one above him on the depth chart anymore, 2018 will be his chance to shine for the Terrapins. A shifty route-runner with great agility, Turner is a prime candidate to receive handoffs on Canada’s fly sweeps and get the ball in space.

I have projected Turner to start in the slot for Maryland this season. He won’t be handed the job, with a few others set to compete for it, but has the clearest path to the field. For a player who has certainly shown flashes of his capabilities, it’ll be important for him to put it all together between the lines in 2018.

Sean Nelson (Redshirt Freshman)

2018 Projection: Second-Team (Split End)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play (Redshirt)

Nelson arrived in College Park last season as a 3-star recruit from the state of Georgia, and redshirted during his true freshman season. He has good size and speed, and should see some playing time this season at the split end position. I have projected him to be Davenport’s primary backup at the position, but he’ll be given every chance to compete for time on the field as a starter.

Jeshaun Jones (Freshman)

2018 Projection: Second-Team (Flanker)
2017 Statistics (High School): 30 receptions, 359 yds (12.0 ypr), 3 TD; 60 carries, 537 yds (9.0 ypc), 4 TD

Jones is a member of head coach DJ Durkin’s 2018 recruiting class, and enrolled early in order to participate in spring practices. He was heavily featured in the Red-White Spring Game, and looks to have a big role this season. He is an extremely versatile receiver, and has the ability to play both inside and outside.

I have projected Jones to serve as Jacobs’ primary backup at flanker, but he could easily see time at split end and in the slot this season. Canada will likely find a number of ways to get him on the field, and he could work his way into the starting conversation as the season progresses.

Rayshad Lewis (Redshirt Sophomore)

2018 Projection: Second-Team (Slot)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play (Transfer)

Lewis sat out during the 2017 season after transferring from Utah State, but enters 2018 with the chance to be a major contributor at the wide receiver position for the Terrapins. As a freshman with Utah State, he caught 40 passes for 476 yards and 2 touchdowns while also carrying the ball for over 100 yards and a touchdown.

I have projected Lewis to serve as Turner’s primary backup in the slot this season, but it’ll more than likely be a platoon situation. After watching his father dominate opposing offenses for 17 years in Baltimore, fans are ready to watch Rayshad face off against Big Ten defenses just down the road in College Park.

Carlos Carriere (Redshirt Freshman)

2018 Projection: Third-Team (Split End)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play (Redshirt)

Like Nelson, Carriere came to College Park last season as a 3-star recruit from the state of Georgia. He stands an impressive 6’4”, and certainly looks the part of a #1 receiver. I have projected him to stand behind Davenport and Nelson at split end, but should be a member of the competition during the summer.

Darryl Jones (Freshman)

2018 Projection: Third-Team (Flanker)
2017 Statistics (High School): N/A

Jones is one of the team’s top-rated members of the 2018 recruiting class, and will be arriving in College Park during the summer. A 4-star recruit from Virginia Beach, Jones has the skills to see immediate playing time. While he’ll be at a bit of a disadvantage to a player like Jeshaun who enrolled early, it shouldn’t take too much time for him to get up to speed. I have projected him to stand behind Jacobs and Jeshaun at the flanker position in 2018, but could fight for time at either of the other two wide receiver positions.

MJ Jarrell (Redshirt Freshman)

2018 Projection: Third-Team (Slot)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play (Redshirt)

Jarrell is one of the many wide receivers who arrived in College Park as members of the team’s 2017 recruiting class and redshirted last season. A 3-star recruit from the state of Florida, Jarrell has a chance to fight for some playing time in the slot this season. I have projected him to serve behind Turner and Lewis in 2018.

Jayden Comma (Redshirt Freshman)

2018 Projection: Fourth-Team (Split End)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play (Redshirt)

Comma is the third of the Georgia wide receivers in Maryland’s 2017 recruiting class, and like the others he also redshirted last season. He should also be given the opportunity to compete for playing time at the split end position, but I have projected him to serve behind Davenport, Nelson, and Carriere.

Chris Jones (Redshirt Senior)

2018 Projection: Fourth-Team (Flanker)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play

Jones has yet to see the field for the Terrapins after transferring from Iowa Western Community College in 2016. He is a local product from nearby DeMatha Catholic High School, and enters his final collegiate season with an uphill climb to see the field. I have projected him to serve behind Jacobs, Jeshaun Jones, and Darryl Jones at the flanker position.

Tahj Capehart (Sophomore)

2018 Projection: Redshirt
2017 Statistics: 1 reception, 6 yds (6.0 ypr), 0 TD; 0 carries, 0 yds (0.0 ypc), 0 TD

Capehart suffered a torn ACL during spring practice this season, and will miss all of 2018. He had a real chance to compete for the starting slot receiver position, but will have to wait until 2019 to do so.

Dontay Demus, Jr. (Freshman)

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

Demus arrives in College Park this summer as a 3-star recruit from Washington, DC. He stands an impressive 6’4”, and was the 9th-best recruit from DC in the 2018 recruiting class. I’ve projected him to redshirt this season.

Brian Cobbs (Freshman)

2018 Projection: Redshirt
2017 Statistics (High School): 26 receptions, 360 yds (13.8 ypr), 6 TD; 88 carries, 686 yds (7.8 ypc), 9 TD

Cobbs also arrives this summer as a 3-star recruit from the state of Virginia. He was the 22nd-best recruit from Virginia in 2018. I’ve projected him to redshirt this season as well.

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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