Last season the Maryland Terrapins’ offense set College Park ablaze through the first two weeks, besting Howard and Syracuse by a combined score of 142-20. Unfortunately for offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery, it was all downhill from there as his unit scored less than 17 points in all but two of their remaining games. The team’s quarterbacks combined for a completion percentage of just 50% and Dontay Demus, Jr. was the only player with more than 250 receiving yards. But despite the offense’s shortcomings in 2019, head coach Michael Locksley is hopeful that some timely additions will lead to more success this year.
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Quarterbacks
Projected Depth Chart
- Taulia Tagovailoa (So.)
- Lance LeGendre (RFr.)
- Eric Najarian (So.)
- David Foust (Fr.)
- Josh Ettlinger (Fr.)
The biggest addition to the Terrapins’ offense comes in the form of Tagovailoa, who was granted immediate eligibility after transferring from Alabama. Locksley’s close relationship to the Tagovailoa family paid dividends as many teams were vying for the services of Tua’s little brother. Taulia’s experience in Locksley’s offense makes him the clear choice to run Maryland’s run-pass option attack, though he’s been competing with the talented LeGendre during summer camp.
2019 starter Josh Jackson chose to opt out of this season due to concerns related to COVID-19, so the quarterback room is rounded out with three walk-ons. Given the historical nature of quarterback injuries in College Park, having just two scholarship signal-callers may prove to be significant for the Terrapins in 2020.
Running Backs
Projected Depth Chart
- Tayon Fleet-Davis (Sr.)
- Jake Funk (RSr.)
- Peny Boone (Fr.)
- Isaiah Jacobs (Fr.)
- Rashard Jackson (Jr.)
- Jordan Castleberry (RFr.)
- Challen Fa’amatau (Jr.)
- Jha’Mel Thorne (Fr.)
- Jonathan Smith (Fr.)
Two of the lone bright spots for Maryland’s offense in 2019 were running backs Anthony McFarland, Jr. and Javon Leake. But after both players left school early to enter the NFL Draft, the team will be forced to turn to a committee of four ball-carriers to fill their shoes. Fleet-Davis and Funk return as the leaders of the running back room, and will likely be first in line for carries. However much attention will be given to Boone and Jacobs, both very talented freshmen who’ll certainly push for immediate playing time. All four running backs have unique skill-sets, which should allow Montgomery to get them all on the field in situations where they can thrive.
Wide Receivers
Projected Depth Chart (X)
- Dontay Demus, Jr. (Jr.)
- Darryl Jones (Jr.)
- Carlos Carriere (RJr.)
- Corey Dyches (Fr.)
Projected Depth Chart (Z)
- Jeshaun Jones (RSo.)
- Brian Cobbs (Jr.)
- Nick DeGennaro (Fr.)
- Justin Brown (Jr.)
- Sean Leonard (Fr.)
Projected Depth Chart (H)
- Rakim Jarrett (Fr.)
- DeJuan Ellis (RSo.)
- Deajuan McDougle (Fr.)
- Dino Tomlin (RFr.)
- Jacob Hess (Fr.)
With Jeshaun Jones returning from a season-ending knee injury and the addition of 5-star freshman Jarrett, Maryland’s starting corps of wide receivers could be one of the better ones in the Big Ten Conference. Despite the team’s struggles at the quarterback position last year, Demus, Jr. was still able to rack up 625 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. While there is some upperclassmen depth at this position, Dyches and DeGennaro could push for immediate playing time as freshmen. With so little depth at the tight end position this season, expect Montgomery to deploy plenty of 4-wide receiver sets to take advantage of the talent he has at his disposal.
Tight Ends
Projected Depth Chart
- Malik Jackson (RFr.)
- Tyler Baylor (So.)
- Kameron Blount (RFr.)
- Zack Roski (Sr.)
- Conor Fagan (Fr.)
One of the biggest blows to Maryland’s offense during the off-season came when Locksley announced that Chigoziem Okonkwo would miss 2020 due to a medical condition. The projected starter at an already thin position, his absence forced two defensive players (Baylor and Blount) to move to the offensive side of the ball. They’ll be learning on the fly behind Jackson, who has appeared in just one collegiate game. It’s fair to assume that the tight end position will be much less emphasized than it was in 2019, when they combined for 33 catches, 359 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns.
Offensive Tackles
Projected Depth Chart (Left)
- Jaelyn Duncan (RSo.)
- TJ Bradley (RSr.)
- Mason Lunsford (RFr.)
Projected Depth Chart (Right)
- Marcus Minor (RJr.)
- Tyran Hunt (RJr.)
- Ja’Khi Green (Fr.)
- Delmar Glaze (Fr.)
The Terrapins return both of their starting offensive tackles from last season, and offensive line coach John Reagan will be hoping for more consistency from Duncan and Minor. The competition for the backup tackle jobs is wide open, with upperclassmen Bradley and Hunt competing with freshmen like Green.
Offensive Guards
Projected Depth Chart (Left)
- Evan Gregory (RSo.)
- Marcus Finger (RFr.)
- Khristopher Love (Fr.)
- Brian Armentrout (Fr.)
Projected Depth Chart (Right)
- Johari Branch (Jr.)
- Amelio Moran (So.)
- Zach Perkins (Fr.)
While the Terrapins return experienced players on the exterior of their offensive line, both starting offensive guard positions will have new faces. Gregory is projected to take over for Sean Christie, who graduated after last season. After Terrance Davis transferred out of the program, Austin Fontaine was expected to take over the starting right guard spot. However he has since opted out of the season due to concerns related to COVID-19, so the job will be a competition between a number of players during camp. Branch and Moran are both junior college transfers who bring some experience to the competition with underclassmen like Perkins and Love.
Centers
Projected Depth Chart
- Johnny Jordan (Sr.)
- Spencer Anderson (RSo.)
- Tyler Hamilton (Sr.)
- Mitchell Gorgas (Fr.)
- Sean Wilkins (Fr.)
Maryland received good news a few weeks ago when Jordan announced that he’d be opting back in to play the 2020 season. He’s currently the only player to opt back in among the six who originally opted out, and he’ll bring senior experience and leadership to the middle of Reagan’s offensive line.
Coaching Staff
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach — Scottie Montgomery
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach — Joker Phillips
Running Backs Coach — Elijah Brooks
Tight Ends Coach — Mike Miller
Offensive Line Coach — John Reagan
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.