2022 Terps Football: Early Lookahead Part 2

I recently took an early look at what some of Maryland’s strengths may be next season on offense, defense, and special teams. But we all know when it comes to Terps football there are bound to be some shortcomings as well.

With coaching changes occurring in College Park this offseason in all three phases of the game, it’s a bit tough to say how each of these units will look in 2022, but a solid portion of the roster has returned and at least the offensive scheme should remain in place.

But let’s take a look at what next season’s roster might look like and what some of the Terps’ weaknesses could be as they look to earn a bowl berth in two consecutive seasons. Courtesy of our friend, Zack Kiesel, here’s a projected depth chart for the 2022 season:

OFFENSE

QB: 1. Taulia Tagovailoa, 2. Eric Najarian

RB: 1. Challen Faamatau OR Colby McDonald

WR-X: 1. Dontay Demus, Jr., 2. Tai Felton

WR-Z: 1. Rakim Jarrett, 2. Jeshaun Jones

WR-H: 1. Jacob Copeland, 2. Marcus Fleming OR Octavian Smith, Jr.

TE: 1. CJ Dippre OR Corey Dyches

LT: 1. Jaelyn Duncan, 2. Maximus McCree

LG: 1. Mason Lunsford, 2. Ja’Khi Green

C: 1. Spencer Anderson, 2. Aric Harris

RG: 1. Johari Branch, 2. Amelio Moran

RT: 1. Delmar Glaze, 2. Marcus Finger

DEFENSE

DE: 1. Greg Rose, 2. Tyler Baylor

NT: 1. Ami Finau, 2. Anthony Booker, Jr.

DT: 1. Mosiah Nasili-Kite, 2. Darrell Jackson

SAM: 1. Demeioun Robinson, 2. Jaishawn Barham OR VanDarius Cowan

MIKE: 1. Ruben Hyppolite II, 2. Ahmad McCullough

WILL: 1. Fa’Najae Gotay, 2. Gereme Spraggins

JACK: 1. Durell Nchami, 2. Terrance Butler, Jr. OR Zion Shockley

FCB: 1. Deonte Banks, 2. Corey Coley, Jr.

SS: 1. Beau Brade, 2. Glendon Miller OR Shane Mosley

FS: 1. Dante Trader, 2. Gavin Gibson OR Lavain Scruggs

BCB: 1. Tarheeb Still, 2. Jakorian Bennett

(Note: Bennett and Still would likely split time as the team’s nickel cornerback.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: 1. Chad Ryland, 2. Harrison Beattie

P: 1. Anthony Pecorella OR Colton Spangler

LS: 1. Ethan Gough, 2. Jake Foggia

KR: 1. Dontay Demus, Jr., 2. Rakim Jarrett

PR: 1. Tarheeb Still, 2. Rakim Jarrett

Based on these projections, here are some thoughts:

Offensive Weaknesses

As previously stated, the offense should have the most continuity for the Terps in 2022. It’s still head coach Mike Locksley’s scheme and Dan Enos enters his second year as offensive coordinator. The offense’s prospects are further boosted by the return of quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who finished second in the Big Ten in passing last season. And while the return of Tagovailoa and a loaded receiving corps bodes well for Maryland’s passing game, there are some apparent holes on this offense that need attention.

Opportunity at running back: The Terps will have to replace last year’s leading rusher Tayon Fleet-Davis in 2022, but they will be returning their second and third best runners from a season ago and the opportunity is there for someone to take the bull by the horns and run away with the job. Zack projects Challen Faamatau and Colby McDonald to split the job and that seems like the logical outcome. Based on Maryland’s M.O. of backfields by committee and the fact that Faamatau and McDonald have skill sets that complement each other, I’d say we’re unlikely to see one of these guys run away with the starting job, but the opportunity to do so if someone wants to take the next step in their game is certainly there. Bruising power back Antwain Littleton also figures to factor into the mix, especially in short-yardage and goal line situations. The Terps need the offense to be balanced in order to be effective. Whether it’s by one back having a breakout year or by committee, Maryland needs the opportunity at running back to be seized next season.

Replacing Chig: Perhaps the biggest concern on offense for Maryland in 2022 is at the tight end position, where the Terps will need to find a way to fill the void left by Chigoziem Okonkwo, who was the team’s third-leading receiver last season and has entered the NFL Draft after finishing his senior year. CJ Dippre caught three balls for 25 yards last year and Corey Dyches is a converted wide receiver who showed flashes last season and proved to be a red zone threat with 19 receptions for 208 yards and 4 touchdowns. It would appear Dyches will be the receiving option from the tight end position while Dippre takes on the role as more of a blocker. While I like Dyches’s upside and this combination could work out well, it will still be no easy task replacing the production of an NFL talent like Chig.

Defensive Weaknesses

While the defense isn’t projected to be the strength of next season’s Maryland team, I see it as a solid group of players but with one (maybe two depending on how you look at it) MAJOR hole.

HELP WANTED! Need Starting Safeties: I discussed in my strengths article how I believe Maryland’s front seven is underrated and could be a strength. I also highlighted the talent the Terps return at the cornerback position and how those guys could help sure up a backend of the defense that is experiencing some major turnover. But even with the rest of the defense looking solid on paper, having to replace both starting safeties from last year, who also happen to be the team’s two leading tacklers last season, is concerning. Jordan Mosley and Nick Cross have moved on from College Park and are pursuing careers in the NFL. They recorded 83 and 66 tackles, respectively, last season and Cross was a playmaking animal with 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles to his name in 2022. Maybe I’m wrong, but Mosley and Cross felt like the heartbeat of Maryland’s defense last season, so replacing their production and leadership is my biggest concern for this team. Are Beau Brade and Dante Trader up to the task? We don’t have much in-game action to go on, so we’ll see.

Special Teams Weaknesses

Getting back both returners and punter is a big plus for Maryland special teams entering 2022. But one major component of this phase of the game is the place kicker, and that will be an unknown entity going into next season.

Implementing a New Kicker: Whether it’s Chad Ryland or Harrison Beattie that emerges from fall camp with the place kicking duties, it will be that person’s first season as the starting kicker for the Terps. Joseph Petrino wasn’t spectacular but he was also very solid for four years in College Park and Maryland will be looking to replace that reliability with one of two new faces. Beattie isn’t completely new to the Terps. He was on the roster last season and did appear in two games. He even made a 34-yard field goal against Howard, but he’s never been asked to carry the load at this level. Ryland has carried the kicking load for a team, albeit a non-Power Five, Eastern Michigan team, and he has the better resume so the job should be his to lose. Ryland transferred to Maryland after setting the single-season points record for EMU last season and he’ll look to carry that success over to College Park. If he does, this “weakness” could easily become a strength.