One of the biggest bright spots of the 2020 season for Maryland was the emergence of their pass defense. They finished the year as a Top 25 unit, and looked strong heading into last season. Unfortunately for them they fell off quite a bit, finishing 94th in the country and second-worst in the conference against the pass. The team is hoping that new defensive coordinator Brian Williams can get them back on track in 2022, and that they can keep their starters healthy.
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Note: Players with an asterisk (*) next to their class will have an extra year of eligibility available to them following their senior season due to COVID-19.
The Big Three (Questions)
How does Williams divide his coverages?
Last season, defensive coordinator Brian Stewart relied heavily on aggressive man-to-man coverages. While this strategy worked well for Jon Hoke’s unit in 2020, opponents were able to hit a number of big plays due to this aggression last year. Time will tell whether Williams elects to mix in more zone coverages in 2022.
Who steps up to provide depth?
With Tarheeb Still, Deonte Banks, and Jakorian Bennett solidified as starters, the biggest questions surround which players can provide depth behind them. Corey Coley, Jr. played well in Banks’ absence last season, and the team added Lionell Whitaker in their 2022 recruiting class.
How will two new safeties affect the cornerbacks?
Nick Cross and Jordan Mosley have moved on, leaving two holes at the safety positions for Maryland this season. While the team does have some talent there, some miscommunication early in the year likely wouldn’t be too surprising. Williams will be relying on his two veteran cornerbacks to step up and lead his pass defense.
Henry Baker – Cornerbacks Coach
Baker is entering his third year as Maryland’s cornerbacks coach in 2022, taking over for Cory Robinson after the 2019 season. He’s been an important assistant for head coach Michael Locksley, not only for his work on the field but for his recruiting acumen. He’ll be tasked with getting his unit back to their 2020 form.
Deonte Banks (Redshirt Junior*)
2022 Projection: Starter (Field)
2021 Statistics: 6 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0 INTs, 0 pass breakups
Banks was set for a breakout year in 2022, but started only two games before suffering a season-ending injury. He’d missed just three games during his first two years in College Park, typically playing the field cornerback role for Maryland’s defense. His height and agility allow him to match up well against opposing teams’ biggest receiving targets. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s starting field cornerback this season.
Tarheeb Still (Junior*)
2022 Projection: Starter (Boundary)
2021 Statistics: 55 tackles (3.5 for loss), 0 INTs, 11 pass breakups
Still has started all but one game since arriving in College Park before the 2019 season, winning numerous postseason accolades in both years. He finished tied for fourth on the team in tackles last season, and showed some pass-rushing prowess as he recorded two sacks. His 11 pass breakups were good for second on the team and sixth in the conference. In addition to his defensive excellence, he returned a punt for a touchdown in the Terrapins’ bowl victory over Virginia Tech.
I’ve projected Still to serve as the team’s starting boundary cornerback this season, though he’ll likely rotate between the boundary and nickel positions with Bennett depending on the opponent and situation.
Corey Coley, Jr. (Sophomore)
2022 Projection: Second-Team (Field)
2021 Statistics: 14 tackles (0.5 for loss), 0 INTs, 1 pass breakup
Coley, Jr. arrived in College Park before last season as a 3-star recruit from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, FL. He played in all but two games as a true freshman, starting his first career game against Ohio State. After Banks’ injury, the majority of his playing time came as the field cornerback in nickel packages while Bennett and Still handled the boundary and nickel positions. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string field cornerback this season, and he’ll likely be the top reserve if one of the three starters goes down.
Jakorian Bennett (Redshirt Senior)
2022 Projection: Second-Team (Boundary)
2021 Statistics: 24 tackles (2.0 for loss), 3 INTs, 13 pass breakups
Bennett started all but one game for the Terrapins last season, and ranked 6th-best in the country with 13 passes broken up. He also led the team in interceptions, including one in the end zone to seal their victory over Kent State. With the ability to play both outside and over the slot, Williams has flexibility to use he and Still in interchangeable roles depending on situations and matchups. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string boundary cornerback this season, and he’ll also rotate into the nickel cornerback position at times.
Lionell Whitaker (Freshman)
2022 Projection: Third-Team (Field)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A
Whitaker comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from James S. Rickards High School in Tallahassee, FL. 247Sports ranked him as the 92nd-best cornerback in the country, and the 131st-best player from the state of Florida. He has excellent ball skills as a defensive back, tallying five interceptions during his final high school year. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string field cornerback this season.
Jayon Venerable (Sophomore)
2022 Projection: Third-Team (Boundary)
2021 Statistics: None
Venerable played in four games for the Terrapins as a true freshman last season, primarily seeing the field on special teams. He came to College Park as a member of the team’s 2021 recruiting class from Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, MD. 247Sports ranked him as a 3-star recruit, and the 27th-best player from the state of Maryland. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string boundary cornerback this season, though he could also slide inside to the nickel cornerback position.
Chantz Harley (Sophomore)
2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (Field)
2021 Statistics (Villanova): None
Harley comes to College Park as a walk-on transfer from Villanova after playing in just one game for the Wildcats last season. He’s a local product, hailing from the Landon School in Bethesda, MD, where he won first-team all-conference honors during his senior year. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string field cornerback this season.
Rex Fleming (Junior)
2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (Boundary)
2021 Statistics: 5 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0 INTs, 0 pass breakups
Fleming saw the field in 10 games for Maryland last season, primarily on special teams. He walked onto the team before the 2020 season after spending his high school career at Northern High School in Owings, MD. His best game came in the Terrapins’ bowl win over Virginia Tech, where he recorded three tackles. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string boundary cornerback, but he’ll likely continue to play an important role on special teams.
Owura Berko (Redshirt Junior)
2022 Projection: Fifth-Team (Field)
2021 Statistics: Did Not Play
Berko has yet to see the field for Maryland after walking onto the team before the 2020 season. He’s a local product, hailing from the Severn School in Severna Park, MD. As a biology major, his goal is to work in the field of orthopedics after graduating. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string field cornerback this season.
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: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.