Terps Football: 2020 Season Preview – Offensive Guards & Centers

While the 2019 season saw two new offensive tackles take the reins for the Terrapins, 2020’s lineup will feature two new offensive guards. After Sean Christie graduated and Terrance Davis transferred to Wake Forest, the team will turn to a pair of new faces on the interior of the offensive line. Johnny Jordan returns at center however, providing a senior anchor in the middle for whoever lines up behind center this fall.

This is the sixth in a series of articles previewing Maryland football’s 2020 season on a position-by-position basis. Be sure to check in regularly, and give your thoughts on my projections at the link below.

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

The Big Three (Questions)

Who wins the left guard competition?
Left guard looks to be the only starting offensive line spot up for grabs, with a few returning and incoming players expected to compete for the job. I’ve projected Evan Gregory to win out, but junior college transfer Johari Branch will likely push him during summer camp.

What’s life like without McFarland, Jr. and Leake?
Running backs like Anthony McFarland, Jr. and Javon Leake can make an offensive line look good even if they miss a few assignments. While the team still has plenty of talent at the running back position, this will be their opportunity to show that they can block for anyone.

Is depth a concern?
Similarly to the tackle position, much of the depth at guard and center is young and unproven. Keeping the starters healthy while the players behind them gain experience in practice and low-pressure situations will be key to this unit’s success.

Evan Gregory (Redshirt Sophomore)

2020 Projection: Starter (Left)
2019 Statistics: 2 games played (0 starts)

Gregory came to College Park as a 3-star member of the team’s 2018 recruiting class. He saw his first game action of his collegiate career last season. Like some of the team’s young offensive tackles in 2019, he’ll likely be relied upon to play a large role as an underclassman this year.

I’ve projected Gregory to serve as the team’s starting left guard in 2020. There’ll probably be some competition for this spot during summer camp, but he looks to be the present and the future here for the Terrapins.

Austin Fontaine (Redshirt Sophomore)

2020 Projection: Starter (Right)
2019 Statistics: 12 games played (6 starts)

Fontaine was moved from the defensive line to the offensive line during camp last year to provide depth, and wound up starting 6 games at right guard when Davis went down with an injury. He made this transition very impressively, solidifying himself as one of the team’s best offensive linemen. With experience at both center and guard, he also provides the team some versatility.

I’ve projected Fontaine to serve as the team’s starting right guard in 2020. While there’ll likely be some competition at left guard during summer camp, he’s all but locked up the right guard spot.

Johnny Jordan (Senior)

2020 Projection: Starter (Center)
2019 Statistics: 7 games played (6 starts)

Jordan was expected to lock down the middle of Maryland’s offensive line last season, but due to both a foot injury and personal reasons he only started half of the team’s games. His veteran leadership will be invaluable for what looks to be a very young line in 2020.

I’ve projected Jordan to serve as the team’s starting center in 2020. The coaching staff will be hoping that he can stay on the field this season, as the depth behind him is relatively thin.

Marcus Finger (Redshirt Freshman)

2020 Projection: Second-Team (Left)
2019 Statistics: 1 game played (0 starts)

Finger came to College Park last season as a 3-star recruit from Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, FL. He played in Maryland’s first game against Howard and was able to take 2019 as a redshirt year. With the ability to play both guard and tackle, he ought to find his way onto the two-deep somewhere in his second season.

I’ve projected Finger to serve as Gregory’s primary backup at left guard in 2020. He could also slot in at right guard or center depending on how the coaching staff decides to shake things out.

Johari Branch (Redshirt Junior)

2020 Projection: Second-Team (Right)
2019 Statistics (Junior College): N/A

Branch comes to College Park as a Junior College transfer from Independence Community College in Independence, KS. Fans of the Netflix original series “Last Chance U” will be familiar with this school, as it was featured in the show’s third and fourth seasons. Branch is one of four transfers to Maryland from ICC, and was ranked as the ninth-best junior college guard in the country.

I’ve projected Branch to serve as Fontaine’s primary backup at right guard in 2020, but he’ll be given every opportunity to compete for the starting left guard spot during summer camp. He’s an extremely athletic player, with the ability to block well downfield and while pulling.

Tyler Hamilton (Senior)

2020 Projection: Second-Team (Center)
2019 Statistics: 1 game played (0 starts)

Hamilton is entering his final season with the Terrapins after joining the team as a walk-on last year. He played in the first game against Howard, and played his high school football at St. Vincent Pallotti High School in nearby Bowie, MD.

I’ve projected Hamilton to serve as Jordan’s primary backup at center in 2020.

Khristopher Love (Freshman)

2020 Projection: Third-Team (Left)
2019 Statistics (High School): N/A

Love comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from American Heritage High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He chose the Terrapins over offers from Kentucky, Pittsburgh, USF, and West Virginia, among others.

I’ve projected Love to serve as the team’s third-string left guard in 2020, and would expect him to take a redshirt year this season.

Amelio Moran (Redshirt Junior)

2020 Projection: Third-Team (Right)
2019 Statistics (Junior College): N/A

Moran comes to College Park as a Junior College transfer from Lackawanna Community College in Scranton, PA. He was ranked as the 21st-best Junior College guard in the country, and has the ability to play both guard and tackle.

I’ve projected Moran to serve as the team’s third-string right guard in 2020.

Jack Wagman (Senior)

2020 Projection: Third-Team (Center)
2019 Statistics: 2 games played (0 starts)

Wagman enters his final year with the Terrapins after walking onto the team before the 2018 season. He’s seen action in three games during his collegiate career, and played his high school football at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, MD.

I’ve projected Wagman to serve as the team’s third-string center in 2020.

Zach Perkins (Freshman)

2020 Projection: Fourth-Team (Right)
2019 Statistics (High School): N/A

Perkins comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, FL. He chose Maryland over offers from Kentucky, Marshall, Tulsa, and Western Kentucky, among others.

I’ve projected Perkins to serve as the team’s fourth-string right guard in 2020, and would expect him to take a redshirt year this season.

Mitchell Gorgas (Freshman)

2020 Projection: Fourth-Team (Center)
2019 Statistics (High School): N/A

Gorgas has walked onto the team this season after playing his high school football at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

I’ve projected Gorgas to serve as the team’s fourth-string center in 2020.