With starters Tino Ellis and Marcus Lewis graduating after the 2019 season, the cornerback position was one of the biggest question marks headed into last year. But a breakout performance from freshman Tarheeb Still led to the Terrapins boasting a Top-25 pass defense in 2020. They’ll be looking to repeat that performance this season as they return nearly every player at the position from 2020 and also added a few new faces.
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Note: Players with an asterisk (*) next to their class will have an extra year of eligibility available to them after their senior season due to COVID-19.
The Big Three (Questions)
Who steps up across from Still?
We know Still will be matched up against the opposing offense’s best wide receiver as he was last season, but there’ll be a few different players competing for snaps across from him. Jakorian Bennett and Deonte Banks are the top candidates, but Kenny Bennett and freshman Corey Coley, Jr. could also see time.
Who starts in the nickel?
Maryland’s cornerback room is very versatile, with a number of players boasting the ability to play both outside and inside for defensive coordinator Brian Stewart. Jakorian Bennett saw some time in the nickel last season, but you could also see Coley, Jr., Devyn King, or Lavonte Gater receive snaps there in 2021.
How high can Still fly?
Still had an incredible breakout season in 2020, and was an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team as a true freshman. He also averaged the most pass breakups per game among all players in the country. If he can build on that performance, there’s no reason why he can’t be in the conversation for the best cornerback in the conference this season.
Henry Baker – Cornerbacks Coach
Baker is in his second season as Maryland’s cornerbacks coach, returning to his alma mater before last season after spending the previous 11 years coaching defensive backs at Maryland, East Stroudsburg, Delaware, Rutgers, North Carolina, and the New York Giants. He oversaw a unit that improved immensely last season, finishing with the 25th-best pass defense in the country.
Tarheeb Still (Sophomore*)
2021 Projection: Starter (Field)
2020 Statistics: 20 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0 forced fumbles, 8 pass breakups, 0 INTs
Still was ranked as the 61st-best cornerback recruit in the country when he enrolled at Maryland last season, but played well above that ranking. He led the nation in pass breakups per game, and was the definition of a lockdown corner. Matched up against opposing offenses’ best wide receiver every single game, he showcased excellent ball skills despite not recording an interception. He only got better as the season went on, recording 7 tackles and 4 pass breakups in the team’s season finale against Rutgers.
I’ve projected Still to serve as the team’s starting field cornerback in 2021, once again matching up against the conference’s best wide receivers. He’ll have every opportunity to solidify himself as one of the best defensive backs in the country this season.
Jakorian Bennett (Senior*)
2021 Projection: Starter (Boundary)
2020 Statistics: 6 tackles (1.0 for loss), 0 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups, 0 INTs
Bennett played in all but one game for the Terrapins last season after transferring from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS. He recorded both of his pass breakups in the team’s game against Penn State. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s starting boundary cornerback in 2021, and he’ll likely also see significant time in the slot as a nickel cornerback.
Kenny Bennett (Redshirt Senior*)
2021 Projection: Second-Team (Field)
2020 Statistics: 9 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups, 1 INT
Bennett appeared in all five games for Maryland last season, recording an interception in the team’s game against Penn State. He also had two pass breakups in the season finale against Rutgers. It was the most significant playing time he’s had thus far in his collegiate career, and likely gives him a leg up on some of the other players competing for snaps.
I’ve projected Bennett to serve as the team’s second-string field cornerback in 2021. He could also see some time at the boundary position, especially if Stewart elects to use Jakorian Bennett as the nickel cornerback.
Deonte Banks (Junior*)
2021 Projection: Second-Team (Boundary)
2020 Statistics: 11 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0 forced fumbles, 1 pass breakup, 0 INTs
Banks played in all five of Maryland’s games last season, and started in three of them. He’s missed just one game during his first two years in College Park, and has started in all but five of the 16 games he’s appeared in. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s second-string boundary cornerback in 2021, though he’ll be given every opportunity to win the starting job during summer practices.
Corey Coley, Jr. (Freshman)
2021 Projection: Third-Team (Field)
2020 Statistics (High School): 32 tackles (3.0 for loss), 0 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups, 3 INTs
Coley, Jr. comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, FL. He played both cornerback and safety in high school, and has the ability to play both positions at the collegiate level. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string field cornerback in 2021, but he may also see time at the nickel position.
Devyn King (Sophomore*)
2021 Projection: Third-Team (Boundary)
2020 Statistics: Did Not Play
King didn’t see the field last season after joining the team as a 3-star recruit from Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, CA. He enrolled early in 2020, and has been on Maryland’s campus since last January. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s third-string boundary cornerback in 2021.
Jayon Venerable (Freshman)
2021 Projection: Fourth-Team (Field)
2020 Statistics (High School): 6 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0 forced fumbles, 0 pass breakups, 0 INTs
Venerable comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, MD. He played both cornerback and running back in high school, but will begin his career on the defensive side of the ball for the Terrapins. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string field cornerback in 2021.
Lavonte Gater (Junior*)
2021 Projection: Fourth-Team (Boundary)
2020 Statistics: 7 tackles (0.0 for loss), 0 forced fumbles, 1 pass breakup, 0 INTs
Gater has played in every game for the Terrapins during his first two seasons, but has yet to receive a start. His best game last year came in the season finale against Rutgers, where he recorded 5 tackles. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string boundary cornerback in 2021, but he’ll also likely be given the opportunity to compete for snaps at the nickel position.
Owura Berko (Junior)
2021 Projection: Fifth-Team (Field)
2020 Statistics: Did Not Play
Berko joined the team as a walk-on before last season began, but didn’t see the field. He played his high school football at The Severn School in Severna Park, MD. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string field cornerback in 2021.
Rex Fleming (Sophomore)
2021 Projection: Fifth-Team (Boundary)
2020 Statistics: Did Not Play
Fleming joined the team as a walk-on before last season began, but didn’t see the field. He played his high school football at Northern High School in Owings, MD. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fifth-string boundary cornerback in 2021.
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.