2022 Season Preview – Offensive Guards & Centers

Much like their offensive tackles, Maryland will return plenty of experience along the interior of their offensive line in 2022. While there was some uncertainty at the center position towards the beginning of last year, this group should be solidified from the jump. They’ll be looking to build on a stellar pass blocking performance in 2021 and open holes in the running game more consistently this season.

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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)

Is Branch the answer at center?
With Austin Fontaine unable to keep his weight up last season, the team was scrambling to find a center during the summer. Aric Harris was signed late from the junior college ranks, but struggles during conference play forced Spencer Anderson to slide inside. This year the team is expected to turn to Johari Branch as their primary snapper, as he slides over from right guard.

Can Glaze lock down the right guard spot?
When Anderson was forced to slide inside to center last season, Delmar Glaze became the team’s starting right tackle. His performance there left a bit to be desired, and the coaching staff is hoping that he’ll play better inside at guard in 2022.

Will Lunsford have another solid year?
One of the biggest surprises of last season was the performance of Mason Lunsford at left guard. He came out of nowhere to become the most improved player during spring and summer practices, and followed that up by putting together a very good campaign in 2021.

Brian Braswell – Offensive Line Coach

Braswell took over as the team’s offensive line coach after John Reagan was fired following the 2020 season. He oversaw significant improvements in the unit’s performance, particularly when pass blocking. He’ll return his entire starting line from last season, with his primary task being to improve the run blocking. His most difficult task will come next season, with nearly all five starters set to graduate.

Mason Lunsford (Redshirt Junior*)

2022 Projection: Starter (Left)
2021 Statistics: 13 games played (13 starts)

Lunsford had started just one game during his first two years in College Park, but did so in every game at left guard for the Terrapins in 2021. He quietly became one of the team’s most improved players, and locked down what was one of the biggest question marks on the depth chart during spring and summer practices. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s starting left guard this season, and he’ll be looking to follow up his 2021 campaign with another solid year.

Johari Branch (Redshirt Senior)

2022 Projection: Starter (Center)
2021 Statistics: 13 games played (13 starts)

Branch has started every game for the Terrapins since arriving on campus before the 2020 season, and will take advantage of the additional year of eligibility granted to him by the NCAA due to COVID-19 in order to play in 2022. After spending his first season at left guard, he moved to the right side in 2021. He’s set to make another position change in his final year, as he moves to center. While he had some issues with snapping when the team tried him out at the position before last year, they’re confident that he’ll be able to excel with a full off-season of work under his belt. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s starting center this season.

Delmar Glaze (Redshirt Sophomore*)

2022 Projection: Starter (Right)
2021 Statistics: 13 games played (6 starts)

Glaze played in every game for the Terrapins last year, starting four at right tackle and two at left tackle. While his performances were somewhat inconsistent, he did finish with Pro Football Focus’ fourth-highest pass blocking grade in the Big Ten Conference. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s starting right guard this season, as he slides inside to a position that the coaching staff feels better suits his skill-set.

Ja’Khi Green (Redshirt Sophomore*)

2022 Projection: Second-Team (Left)
2021 Statistics: 2 games played (0 starts)

Green has played in four games during his first two years in College Park after joining the team as a 3-star recruit from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD in their 2020 recruiting class. He has the ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line, and has impressed the coaching staff during practices. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string left guard this season.

Aric Harris (Redshirt Junior*)

2022 Projection: Second-Team (Center)
2021 Statistics: 11 games played (9 starts)

Harris was signed from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS last summer in an attempt to fill the hole left by Fontaine. He was able to win the starting job, but struggles during conference play forced the team to look elsewhere. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string center this season, and while there’s a chance he could win the starting job again, it’s more likely that he plays a reserve role.

Amelio Moran (Redshirt Senior*)

2022 Projection: Second-Team (Right)
2021 Statistics: 13 games played (0 starts)

Moran saw the field in every game last season, primarily on special teams. He enters his third year in College Park after spending his first two collegiate seasons at James Madison and Lackawanna Community College. He has the ability to play both guard and tackle, and should be one of the team’s top reserve offensive linemen in 2022. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string right guard this year.

Sean Wilkins (Redshirt Sophomore)

2022 Projection: Third-Team (Left)
2021 Statistics: Did Not Play

Wilkins has yet to see the field for the Terrapins after walking onto the team before the 2020 season. He came to College Park from Arundel High School in Gambrills, MD. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string left guard this year.

Coltin Deery (Freshman)

2022 Projection: Third-Team (Center)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A

Deery comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from the Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, PA. 247Sports ranked him as the 60th-best interior offensive lineman in the country, and the 25th-best player from the state of Pennsylvania. In addition to playing football, he’s expected to compete on Maryland’s wrestling team. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string center this season.

Keon Kindred (Freshman)

2022 Projection: Third-Team (Right)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A

Kindred comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, FL, where he was a teammate of fellow Maryland freshman offensive lineman Ja’Kavion Nonar. 247Sports ranked him as the 139th-best offensive tackle in the country, and the 190th-best player from the state of Florida. He chose Maryland over scholarship offers from Florida International, Memphis, Tulane, and Western Kentucky, among others. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string right guard this season.

Khristopher Love (Redshirt Sophomore*)

2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (Left)
2021 Statistics: 1 game played (0 starts)

Love has seen the field just once for the Terrapins during his first two years after coming to College Park as a 3-star recruit from the American Heritage Schools in Plantation, FL. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string left guard this season.

Kyle Long (Redshirt Freshman)

2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (Right)
2021 Statistics: 1 game played (0 starts)

Long saw the field during Maryland’s game against Howard last year after coming to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Hazelwood Central High School in Florissant, MO. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string right guard this season.

Clayton Allen (Redshirt Freshman)

2022 Projection: Fifth-Team (Right)
2021 Statistics: Did Not Play

Allen didn’t see the field after walking onto the team before last year. He spent his high school career at St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, MD. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string right guard this season.