2022 Season Preview – Offensive Tackles

One of the biggest reasons for Maryland’s success in the passing game last season was the time afforded to quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa by his offensive linemen. The line was led by veteran tackles Jaelyn Duncan on the left side and Spencer Anderson on the right, both of whom will return in 2022. Building depth behind them will be important, particularly next season, but for now they’ll serve as one of the best tackle duos in the Big Ten Conference.

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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 health any concern?
As the old saying goes, “Your best ability is your availability”, and both of Maryland’s starting tackles have been very available throughout their Maryland careers. Neither has ever missed a game since 2019, and without much depth behind them they’ll need to be similarly available this season.

Does Anderson stay at right tackle?
With some concerns at the center position last year, Anderson was forced to slide inside. While he’s a solid option there, he’s more valuable as a tackle. Whether it’s Johari Branch or Aric Harris starting at center, keeping them healthy and productive will be key to keep the Terrapins’ best two linemen at their ideal positions.

How much attention will the NFL give?
Duncan has been talked about as a future NFL tackle for what seems like his entire career, and will almost surely hear his name called next April. Anderson hasn’t always been graded the same way, but if he’s able to put together a solid full season at right tackle there’s no reason why he can’t join Duncan in the league next year.

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.

Jaelyn Duncan (Redshirt Senior*)

2022 Projection: Starter (Left)
2021 Statistics: 13 games played (11 starts)

Duncan has started all but three games at left tackle for Maryland since 2019, and has never missed a game during his entire collegiate career. A local product from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD, he has been an Honorable Mention to the All-Big Ten team two years in a row. For his efforts against Kent State last season, he was named to Pro Football Focus’ Offensive Line of the Week.

I’ve projected Duncan to serve as the team’s starting left tackle this season. He’ll be looking to cap off his career in College Park with his best season yet, and head into the NFL Draft with his stock as high as possible. Athlon Sports named him as one of the conference’s best ten draft prospects for 2023.

Spencer Anderson (Redshirt Senior*)

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

Anderson has played in all but one game for the Terrapins since 2019, and has started in every game since 2020. Last season, he started nine at right tackle and four at center. He was named an Honorable Mention to the All-Big Ten team in 2021, and earned Pro Football Focus’ highest pass-blocking grade of any lineman in the conference. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s starting right tackle this season. Like Duncan, he’ll be looking to build his NFL Draft stock as high as possible.

Andre Roye, Jr. (Freshman)

2022 Projection: Second-Team (Left)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A

Roye, Jr. comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD. While he’d initially committed to Penn State, he spurned them on National Signing Day in December and flipped to Maryland. 247Sports ranked him as the 52nd-best offensive tackle in the country, and the 13th-best player from the state of Maryland. He enrolled early and impressed the coaching staff so quickly that he was running with the second-team during the spring. At 6’6”, 320 lbs., he already has the ideal build for a collegiate offensive lineman. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-team left tackle this season, though the team will likely attempt to redshirt him if possible.

Tommy Varhall (Redshirt Freshman)

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

Varhall came to College Park before last season as a walk-on from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. He’s a fourth-generation Terrapin, with his father and great-grandfather both playing football for Maryland in the past. At 6’8”, 315 lbs., he has excellent size, and has been running with the second-team in practices. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string right tackle this season.

Maximus McCree (Redshirt Sophomore*)

2022 Projection: Third-Team (Left)
2021 Statistics (Junior College): N/A

McCree comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit after spending the last two years at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, IA. He is a two-time NJCAA All-American and First Team All-ICCAC. He played in all but one game for the Tritons last season, and helped lead them to a 17-5 record over the last two years. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string left tackle this season.

Marcus Finger (Redshirt Junior*)

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

Finger has been in College Park since 2019, playing in just two games during his collegiate career thus far. He’s a Florida native, coming from Fort Myers High School, and has the ability to play every position on the offensive line. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string right tackle this season.

Ja’Kavion Nonar (Freshman)

2022 Projection: Fourth-Team (Left)
2021 Statistics (High School): N/A

Nonar comes to College Park as a three-star recruit from Glades Central Community High School in Belle Glade, FL. 247Sports ranked him as the 120th-best offensive tackle in the country, and the 163rd-best player from the state of Florida. He has good height at 6’7”, but will need to bulk up a bit from his 280 lbs. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string left tackle this season, and he’ll almost surely use this as a redshirt year.

Conor Fagan (Redshirt Sophomore)

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

Fagan initially walked on to Maryland’s team as a tight end in 2020, but has since transitioned to the offensive line. He spent his high school career at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC, and saw the field in the Terrapins’ game against Howard last season. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string right tackle this year.

Bruno Onwuazor (Sophomore)

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

Onwuazor joined the team as a walk-on before last season after spending his high school career at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, MD. He stands an imposing 6’10”, 310 lbs., and I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string right tackle this year.