Breaking Down Maryland’s 2 Deep

Big Ten football is finally here!

And with Maryland’s Week 1 matchup with Northwestern just a few days away, I’ve decided to dissect the depth chart and project what the Terps’ first two deep really means moving forward.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Quarterback

It’s a seemingly never ending question in College Park: Who starts at quarterback? And this year is no different. Except this year might be a little bit more lipservice from the Terps’ coaching staff than most years.

On the first official two deep that was released, head coach Mike Locksley decided to list redshirt freshman Lance Legendre OR Alabama transfer sophomore Taulia Tagovailoa as the starter at quarterback this Saturday night against Northwestern. But all reports are that it is Tagovailoa who has earned the job and will be starting under center for the Terps, and this appears to simply be a case of Locksley not wanting to show his hand before he has to.

Tagovailoa clearly comes from a good pedigree and has a good understanding of Locksley’s offense already because of their Alabama ties. Barring injury, I expect Tagovailoa to remain the Terps’ starter all season. He has plenty of weapons around him to produce, but the injury part could be a concern playing behind what figures to be a shaky offensive line. Legendre is still young and also has plenty of upside. I view him as potentially the best backup quarterback Maryland has had in recent history.

Running Backs

Much like quarterback, running back is a position where the two deep doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Redshirt senior Jake Funk being listed as the starter shouldn’t be much of a surprise. He has the most experience in Maryland’s backfield and he has always been a coaches’ favorite because of his work ethic, leadership, and versatility.

However, Funk is coming off an injury and isn’t built to be an every down back to begin with. So we will certainly see plenty of Tayon Fleet-Davis and Isaiah Jacobs, who are listed on the depth chart behind him. Fleet-Davis is also a senior who is returning from a team suspension. He might be even more of a wildcard this season than the two freshmen, Jacobs and Penny Boone, who didn’t make the first two deep. Fleet-Davis is a good pass catcher and bigger back, so he could be used as more of an H-back/pseudo tight end this season since the Terps are lacking at that position. Jacobs has received a lot of hype out of camp, so we could see him produce right away. Boone is taking longer to adapt to the college game, but he’s also a bigger back with plenty of talent who we could see in some short-yardage situations as the year moves along.

Wide Receivers

Wide receiver is probably the most talented position Maryland has. It’s so talented that former five-star recruit Rakim Jarrett isn’t even listed as a starter yet. But that doesn’t mean the freshman won’t be heavily involved early.

Jeshaun Jones, who’s returning from injury, Dontay Demus Jr., and Brian Cobbs are listed as Maryland’s starting wideouts. All are talented and all have produced in the past. Add Jarrett to that mix and you have a receiving corps that’s as talented and deep as any in the Big Ten.

There are plenty of diamonds in the rough at wideout too for the Terps. Veterans Darryl Jones and Carolos Carriere appear on the two deep right now ahead of players like redshirt freshman Dino Tomlin and true freshmen Deajaun McDougle and Nick DeGennaro, but I expect Tomlin, McDougle, and DeGennaro to all carve out roles for themselves this season.

Tight End

Perhaps to the surprise of some, sophomore Tyler Baylor got the nod as the Terps’ starting tight end. But this makes sense from an Xs and Os standpoint because Baylor is a bigger, possibly more athletic option at tight end than redshirt freshman Malik Jackson.

Chig Okonkwo is still not medically cleared to play, making Maryland short at tight end this season. Like many seasons of late, the tight end doesn’t seem like it’s going to be much of a focal point of the Terps’ offense this season. But Baylor is a converted defensive lineman and former basketball standout at Good Counsel. He is big and athletic and he likely provides more upside than Jackson would.

Offensive Line

The offensive line starters are as expected based on reports from practice. Jaelyn Duncan and Johari Branch will man the left tackle and guard spots, respectively. Johnny Jordan opted back into the season and will start at center. And Marcus Minor occupies right guard while Spencer Anderson shifts to right tackle.

It’s not the most experienced or talented bunch, but that’s why offensive line is Maryland’s top recruiting priority in the 2022 class. Getting Jordan back is huge if for no other reason than adding more depth to a thin front. We’ll see how Anderson looks playing tackle for the first time and if Duncan or Minor are finally ready to take the next steps in their progression as players.

Lots of question marks here, but reports out of practice are that this unit hasn’t looked too shabby.

Defensive Line

Maryland will play a 3-4 front this season but only one of the starting three spots on the defensive line is solidified based on the first two deep. JUCO transfer Ami Finau will man the nosetackle position while Sam Okuayinonu and Mosiah Nasili-Kite rotate in at the other tackle spot. NC State transfer Joseph Boletepeli and junior Lawtez Rogers are listed as co-starters at the end position.

Boletepeli has received rave reviews from practice and figures to be one of Maryland’s best pass rushers this season. It’s also nice to see two JUCO transfers, Finau and Nasili-Kite, break into the two deep right away.

Linebacker

If wide receiver is Maryland’s deepest position on the offensive side of the ball, then linebacker is certainly the Terps’ best unit on defense. Deshawn Holt and Durrell Nchami are listed as co-starters at the JACK linebacker position. Both are talented and Nchami has been a standout at practice recently.

Chance Campbell is the starting MIKE linebacker and that’s hard to argue with given what he has shown. But I’m very confident that freshman Ruben Hyppolite II will find his way onto the field somehow and make a major impact when he does.

Ayinde Eley and Fa’Najae Gotay have an “or” between their names at the WILL linebacker spot, and the SAM linebacker spot currently belongs to Ahmad McCullough, however, freshman Frankie Burgess is listed behind him and has some buzz coming into the season.

The bottom line is that the Terps can mix and match these linebackers any way they please and still keep a ton of talent on the field in the middle of the defense.

Cornerback

The two deep didn’t provide much resolution at the cornerback position. Sophomore Deonte Banks and freshman Tarheeb Still are listed as co-starters on one side and juniors Jakorian Bennett and Kenny Bennett are co-starters on the other.

I feel fairly confident with all of these guys and any combination of them on the field. But it sounds like Locksley and his coaching staff will see how things play out in the first few games before locking any cornerbacks in as starters.

Still is my pick as a darkhorse to be a really big difference maker for Maryland’s defense this season.

Safety

Led by former blue-chip recruit Nick Cross, Maryland is looking very good at safety. Senior Antwaine Richardson is returning from injury and should provide a nice complement to Cross on the other side.

However, Richardson is currently listed as a co-starter with Jordan Mosley, who converted from linebacker and got a ton of playing time at safety last season with Richardson out. To me, this seems like the coaching staff simply wants to see how healthy Richardson is and whether or not he has returned to form. Mosley’s experience should help him, but he was a major liability for the Terps’ in coverage last season.

Special Teams

Like quarterback, the Terps always seem to be in search of a punter or kicker. The kicker spot is still occupied by junior Joseph Petrino, who has been pretty solid so far throughout his college career. Punter is still up for grabs between Anthony Pecorella and Colton Spangler. We’ve seen Maryland platoon punters in the past, so don’t be surprised if we see it again. Hopefully one excels and can run away with the starting job eventually.

Returning kickoffs will be Isaiah Jacobs, which is a good way to get the freshman running back more involved early. And returning punts will be Jeshaun Jones, a speedy, shifty wideout who has excelled in this area in the past.

I don’t think Maryland’s special teams will be great this year, but I also don’t expect it to be something that costs this team chances to win.