2022 Season Preview – Tight Ends

In addition to the team’s extremely talented group of wide receivers last season, the tight ends also contributed in a major way to the passing game’s success. Chigoziem Okonkwo finished third on the team in receiving yards and was tied for the most touchdown receptions. After being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in April, Maryland will be forced to turn to a group of relatively unproven players to fill his shoes.

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

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 deep is the rotation?
With no clear option to be an every-down starter this season, the Terrapins will likely turn to a rotation of a few players to fill the hole left by Okonkwo. Corey Dyches and Weston Wolff are stronger options as pass-catchers, while CJ Dippre is known more as a physical blocker. All three may receive significant snaps depending on the situation.

Can the sophomores step up?
Dippre and Wolff came to Maryland as highly-regarded recruits, but didn’t make much of an impact as freshmen. The tight end group’s success this season likely depends on how big of a step forward they can make on the field.

Will Howard see the field at all?
Preston Howard primarily played quarterback during his time at The McDonogh School, but was recruited by Maryland as a tight end. He’s an extremely talented athlete who still has some work to do on his blocking, but there’s a chance he could break into the rotation with a strong summer.

Mike Miller – Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach

Along with running backs coach Elijah Brooks, Miller is one of just two offensive assistant coaches who have been at Maryland since head coach Michael Locksley took over before the 2019 season. He’s consistently recognized as the best young assistants in the country, and added co-offensive coordinator to his title after serving as the team’s passing game coordinator in 2021. He’ll be tasked with developing a group of talented but unproven players this year.

Corey Dyches (Redshirt Sophomore)

2022 Projection: Starter
2021 Statistics: 19 receptions, 208 yds (11.0 ypr), 4 TD

Dyches began his career in College Park as a wide receiver, but transitioned to tight end before last season. He quickly became the team’s second-string option at the position, and saw the field in every game. While he didn’t put up a significant amount of yards, he established himself as a solid red-zone option, finishing the year with the second-most receiving touchdowns.

I’ve projected Dyches to serve as the team’s starting tight end this season, but he’ll likely share snaps with a handful of other players. The number of snaps he receives likely depends on how far his development as a blocker has come during the offseason.

CJ Dippre (Sophomore)

2022 Projection: Second-Team
2021 Statistics: 3 receptions, 25 yds (8.3 ypr), 0 TD

Dippre came to Maryland as a 3-star recruit from the state of Pennsylvania before last season, and saw the field in every game as a true freshman. The majority of his playing time came on special teams, though he was also used as an in-line blocker at times. At 6’5”, 260 lbs. he’s the biggest player in the tight end room by far, but he has more than enough receiving ability to be an every-down player in the future.

I’ve projected Dippre to serve as the team’s second-string tight end this season. He’ll likely see a significant uptick in his offensive snaps, and should have an opportunity for a lot more receptions.

Weston Wolff (Redshirt Freshman)

2022 Projection: Third-Team
2021 Statistics: 1 reception, 10 yds (10.0 ypr), 0 TD

Dippre and Wolff were ranked very similarly in Maryland’s 2021 recruiting class, with the latter hailing from the state of Florida. Built more like a wide receiver than a tight end, he’s a prototypical modern tight end with the ability to be a true vertical threat from the position. The only time he saw the field was during the team’s bowl game last season, and he was able to retain his redshirt status.

I’ve projected Wolff to serve as the team’s third-string tight end this season, but he’ll likely be competing for snaps with a few of the other players below him on the depth chart during the summer.

Preston Howard (Freshman)

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

Howard comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from The McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD. He spent most of his time there as a quarterback, leading the Eagles to a 21-4 record as a starter behind center. He was ranked by 247Sports as the 28th-best athlete in the country and the 10th-best player from the state of Maryland. While he did play some tight end last year, he’ll be a project for the Terrapins’ coaching staff. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string tight end this season, and they may elect to redshirt him.

Leron Husbands (Redshirt Freshman)

2022 Projection: Fifth-Team
2021 Statistics: Did Not Play

Husbands came to College Park before last season as a 3-star recruit from Washington, DC. 247Sports ranked him as the 63rd-best tight end in the country, and the 31st-best player from the District of Columbia. He didn’t see the field at all as a true freshman, and I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string tight end this season.

Maxwell Brown (Redshirt Freshman)

2022 Projection: Sixth-Team
2021 Statistics: Did Not Play

Brown joined the Terrapins as a walk-on before last season after spending his high school career at Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, MD. He didn’t receive any playing time last year, and I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s sixth-string tight end this season.

Joshua Jennings (Freshman)

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

Jennings comes to College Park as a walk-on after spending his high school career at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, MD. In addition to playing tight end, he saw some time as a long snapper and offensive lineman last year. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s seventh-string tight end this season.