Maryland’s football team is approximately three months away from their 2025 season opener and wrapped up their spring practice schedule a few weeks ago. After a disappointing 2024 season, there have been a significant number of changes to both the roster and coaching staff. The program will have a different look and feel this year as they look for a rebound, which will begin against Florida Atlantic on August 30th in College Park.
Malik Washington Could Start as True Freshman
Maryland’s quarterback room underwent a significant overhaul following last season, with the departures of Billy Edwards, Jr. (Wisconsin), MJ Morris (Coastal Carolina), Cameron Edge (Eastern Michigan), and Champ Long (North Carolina A&T). In their stead, head coach Michael Locksley added one of the best high school quarterback recruits in program history. Malik Washington was ranked by 247Sports as the 10th-best quarterback and 99th-best player in the country.
It’s very rare for true freshmen to jump directly into starting roles, particularly at the power conference level, but it could happen in College Park this season. Washington is competing with second-year signal-caller Khristian Martin and UCLA transfer Justyn Martin for the starting job. They all flashed their abilities during the program’s Red-White Spring Game, with the younger Martin earning MVP honors for his efforts. The true freshman held his own however, showcasing the maturity and poise that the coaching staff has been raving about before he even stepped foot on campus. Even if he doesn’t open the year behind center, he’ll almost certainly step into the starting role at some point during the season.
Big Portal Emphasis on Trenches
Over the last few years, Locksley and his coaching staff have had success adding linemen through the transfer portal, and they’ll be hoping that this year will be no different. Of the 18 portal additions they’ve made so far, 8 have come in the trenches (6 defensive linemen, 2 offensive linemen). Last season, 4 of their 6 additions were offensive linemen (3 of whom look primed to start this year).
Much like quarterbacks it’s typically difficult for true freshmen to start in the trenches, particularly on the offensive line. Therefore, Maryland tends to target a large number of transfers at those positions. With the departures of Jordan Phillips, Tommy Akingbesote, Quashon Fuller, and Taisze Johnson following last season, a major overhaul was needed on the defensive side before 2025 begins. Depth is always crucial, and players like Cam Rice (Ohio), DD Holmes (Florida State), Eyan Thomas (Saint Francis), and Edwin Moore, Jr. (Western Carolina) are poised to play big roles this season.
Much Heavier Roster Turnover
Last season, Maryland enjoyed an abnormally small number of departures. They had just 13 players enter the transfer portal and just 29 departures in total. This year however, 36 players have entered the portal and 51 have left the program overall. While some of these departures have been significant, it’s not necessarily such a bad thing after a disappointing finish to last season. Locksley and his coaching staff have been given the ability to refresh a number of positions with new talent at both the high school and transfer levels.
The offensive line room was hit hard, with 11 total departures (9 of whom entered the transfer portal). But given their struggles last season, that may not be so bad. Similarly, the team’s secondary featured some very rough play and also suffered 11 departures (8 through the transfer portal). While time will tell whether or not these units improve, the ability to overhaul positions which have struggled is certainly one silver lining of the current chaos which is college athletics.
Program Has Strong NFL Flavor
Over the last few years, Locksley has put a clear emphasis on bringing a more professional approach to his program, none more obvious than this season. Maryland will feature new offensive and defensive coordinators in 2025, and both have extensive NFL coaching experience. For a program which lags so far behind in NIL efforts, giving recruits a more unique pitch is absolutely necessary to secure blue-chip talent without high-end money.
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton brings 14 years of NFL experience with him to College Park, most recently as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. He showcased some of what his offensive schemes might look like during the Red-White Spring Game, and it featured a number of more pro-style elements such as under-center snaps and increased pre-snap motions. Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino brings 16 years of NFL coaching experience, including 6 as the outside linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He was most recently part of Mack Brown’s staff at North Carolina.
Maryland had 7 players selected in last month’s NFL Draft, the most ever in the modern era. They’ll be hoping that a more professional flavor to the program continues to build on that success.
Way-Too-Early Depth Chart Projection
Offense (Multiple Spread)
QB: 1. Malik Washington, 2. Justyn Martin
RB: 1. Nolan Ray, 2. DeJuan Williams
WR-X: 1. Shaleak Knotts, 2. Kaleb Webb
WR-Z: 1. Jalil Farooq, 2. Zymear Smith
WR-H: 1. Octavian Smith, Jr., 2. Ryan Manning
TE: 1. Dorian Fleming, 2. Leon Haughton, Jr.
LT: 1. Rahtrel Perry, 2. Davon Watkins
LG: 1. Isaiah Wright, 2. Jaylen Gilchrist
C: 1. Michael Hershey, 2. Trevor Szymanski
RG: 1. Aliou Bah, 2. Logan Bennett
RT: 1. Alan Herron, 2. Michael McMonigle
Defense (3-4 / 3-3-5)
DE: 1. Dillan Fontus, 2. DD Holmes
NT: 1. Cam Rice, 2. Eyan Thomas
DT: 1. Bryce Jenkins, 2. Dimitry Nicolas
SAM: 1. Trey Reddick, 2. Sidney Stewart
MIKE: 1. Michael Harris, 2. Keyari James
WILL: 1. Daniel Wingate, 2. Keyshawn Flowers
JACK: 1. Neeo Avery, 2. Zahir Mathis
CB: 1. Jamare Glasker, 2. Lloyd Irvin III
CB: 1. Braydon Lee, 2. Kevyn Humes
NICKEL: 1. Gavin Edwards, 2. Judah Jenkins
FS: 1. Jalen Huskey, 2. Dontay Joyner
SS: 1. Messiah Delhomme, 2. Lavain Scruggs
Special Teams
K: 1. Sean O’Haire, 2. Ryan Capriotti
P: 1. Bryce McFerson, 2. Philip Noyes
LS: 1. Ethan Gough, 2. Kellen McConnell
KR: 1. Octavian Smith, Jr., 2. Josiah McLaurin
PR: 1. Octavian Smith, Jr, 2. Kaleb Webb
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.