Before last year, the tight end position had been largely forgotten in College Park. No player had caught more than 10 passes in a season since Avery Edwards in 2015, and not a single tight end recorded a reception in 2017. When he took over the head coaching job before 2019, Michael Locksley ensured that an emphasis would be placed on getting the position more involved offensively. 2019 saw not one, but two tight ends catch more than 10 passes and the position combined for just over 350 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Locksley will be hoping for similar production this season, despite having just two scholarship players at the position on the roster.
This is the fourth 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.)
Chigoziem Okonkwo (Junior)
2020 Projection: Starter
2019 Statistics: 19 receptions, 201 yds (10.6 ypr), 2 TD
Okonkwo performed well in his sophomore season while splitting time at the position with Tyler Mabry. He finished second on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards, finding the end zone in the team’s games against Howard and Indiana. A prototypical modern tight end, his athleticism was on full display in the passing game as he often found himself split out wide and in the slot as a receiver.
I’ve projected Okonkwo to serve as the team’s starting tight end in 2020. He’ll have every opportunity to have a breakout season as he won’t be sharing snaps with anyone on the roster. While he’s showcased his skills as a receiver, he’ll need to show improvement as a blocker in order to be an every-down player.
Malik Jackson (Redshirt Freshman)
2020 Projection: Second-Team
2019 Statistics: None
Jackson came to College Park last season as a 3-star recruit from Meade High School in Fort Meade, MD. His only on-field action game during the team’s game against Nebraska, and he was subsequently able to redshirt.
I’ve projected Jackson to serve as Okonkwo’s primary backup in 2020. The tight end position will be very thin for the Terrapins this season, giving Jackson an opportunity to see more of the field than may have been expected.
Zack Roski (Senior)
2020 Projection: Third-Team
2019 Statistics: Did Not Play
Roski has yet to see the field in his Maryland career after walking onto the team before the 2018 season. He attended St. Vincent Palotti High School in Laurel, MD, and stands an imposing 6-foot-8.
I’ve projected Roski to serve as the team’s third-string tight end in 2020.
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.