Terps Football: 2021 Season Preview – Wide Receivers

As was the case last season, Maryland’s corps of wide receivers is likely its most talented group on either side of the ball. Every receiver who caught a pass for the team in 2020 returns this season, and there are a few talented additions as well. If they can live up to their potential, this group will be one of the best of its kind in the conference. Combined with the talent at tight end, quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will have a plethora of weapons to throw to in 2021.

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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)

How does the coaching staff split snaps?
With so many talented wide receivers on the roster this season, the coaches will have their work cut out for them trying to figure out how to distribute snaps. It’s a good problem to have, but balancing playing time is always delicate.

How high can Dontay Demus, Jr. fly?
Maryland’s leading receiver in both yards and touchdowns for two years in a row, Demus, Jr. enters what is likely his final season in College Park with an opportunity to solidify his status as one of the best receivers in the conference. If all goes according to plan, he’ll be hearing his name called earlier rather than later when the NFL Draft takes place in Las Vegas, NV next year.

What difference does Zohn Burden make?
After Joker Phillips left for a job on N.C. State’s coaching staff, head coach Michael Locksley hired Burden as his new wide receivers coach. Known as an excellent recruiter of the Tidewater area in Virginia, he’ll inherit one of the most talented wide receiver rooms that Maryland has ever seen.

Zohn Burden – Wide Receivers Coach

Burden comes to College Park after spending last year founding the G.A.M.E. Academy, an organization that aims to assist high school athletes as they work their ways through the college recruiting process. Before that, he was on the coaching staff at Virginia Tech from 2015-2019 coaching both running backs and wide receivers. He’s spent his entire coaching and playing careers in the state of Virginia.

Jeshaun Jones (Redshirt Junior*)

2021 Projection: Starter (X)
2020 Statistics: 11 receptions, 181 yds (16.5 ypr), 1 TD

After missing the entirety of the 2019 season due to a knee injury, Jones had an up-and-down 2020 campaign. His best game came against Minnesota where he racked up 103 receiving yards and scored his only touchdown of the year. He missed the team’s game against Indiana after testing positive for COVID-19, and struggled to get going in any of Maryland’s other contests.

I’ve projected Jones to serve as the team’s starting split end in 2021. With a full healthy off-season under his belt, he should be able to perform more consistently this year. He’ll likely be sharing snaps with players like Darryl Jones and Nick DeGennaro, but he should get the first crack at the starting job.

Dontay Demus, Jr. (Senior*)

2021 Projection: Starter (Z)
2020 Statistics: 24 receptions, 365 yds (15.2 ypr), 4 TD

Demus, Jr. returns for what will likely be his final season in College Park with a chance to lead the team in receiving for the third straight year. He played in all five games for the Terrapins last season, and caught touchdown passes in all of them except the season-opener against Northwestern. His elite combination of size and speed make him a nightmare for Big Ten defenses to match up with.

I’ve projected Demus, Jr. to serve as the team’s starting flanker in 2021. While most of the wide receivers on Maryland’s roster will be sharing snaps this season, he’ll be on the field more often than not. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos will likely elect to move him all over the field, so don’t be surprised to see him in the slot at times as well as outside.

Rakim Jarrett (Sophomore*)

2021 Projection: Starter (H)
2020 Statistics: 17 receptions, 252 yds (14.8 ypr), 2 TD

There were lofty expectations for Jarrett as a true freshman after joining the team as Maryland’s highest-ranked recruit since Stefon Diggs in 2012. He performed very well, finishing second on the team in both receiving yards and touchdown catches. He broke out against Penn State, racking up 144 yards and showcasing his speed on two long touchdowns. The majority of his snaps came in the slot, which is where you can expect him to spend most of his time again this season.

I’ve projected Jarrett to serve as the team’s starting slot receiver in 2021. The slot position will likely be a revolving door this season, with players like Brian Cobbs, Marcus Fleming, DeJuan Ellis, and Deajuan McDougle all pushing Jarrett for playing time. This may allow him to see some more time outside, but getting the ball in his hands 6-8 times per game needs to be a priority for the Terrapins offensively.

Darryl Jones (Senior*)

2021 Projection: Second-Team (X)
2020 Statistics: 8 receptions, 81 yds (10.1 ypr), 0 TD

Jones has finished fifth on the team in receiving yards for the last two seasons in a row, but has yet to find the end zone in his collegiate career. He’s typically found himself behind a handful of players in the pecking order for snaps, and that will likely be the case again in 2021.

I’ve projected Jones to serve as the team’s second-string split end in 2021. He’ll probably be in the rotation for snaps, but will have to fight for them on a weekly basis.

Carlos Carriere (Redshirt Senior*)

2021 Projection: Second-Team (Z)
2020 Statistics: 2 receptions, 27 yds (13.5 ypr), 0 TD

After having the best season of his career in 2019, Carriere failed to follow that up last season and received his only meaningful snaps against Indiana due to the large number of receivers who missed that game after contracting COVID-19. He’s the tallest player at his position standing 6’5”, but hasn’t become the red zone threat that the coaching staff had hoped.

I’ve projected Carriere to serve as the team’s second-string flanker in 2021. Like Jones, he’ll be fighting hard for snaps every week in what could be his final season in College Park.

Brian Cobbs (Senior*)

2021 Projection: Second-Team (H)
2020 Statistics: 13 receptions, 188 yds (14.5 ypr), 1 TD

Cobbs finished third on the team in receiving yards last season after having a breakout year in 2019. He shared time with Jarrett in the slot while also getting snaps on the outside. With a good mixture of size and explosiveness, he has all the tools to play at a high level.

I’ve projected Cobbs to serve as the team’s second-string slot receiver in 2021. He’ll likely be the team’s fourth wideout, and should receive plenty of opportunities offensively. With his versatility, he ought to have no problem getting snaps.

Nick DeGennaro (Sophomore*)

2021 Projection: Third-Team (X)
2020 Statistics: 3 receptions, 42 yds (14.0 ypr), 0 TD

DeGennaro was one of the biggest recipients of preseason hype before last year from the coaching staff. While his only significant offensive snaps came during garbage time in the team’s season opener against Northwestern, he gained valuable experience that will only help him moving forward.

I’ve projected DeGennaro to serve as the team’s third-string split end in 2021. He has the ability to play all over the field, so don’t be surprised to see him getting snaps here and there to spell some of the players above him on the depth chart.

Dino Tomlin (Redshirt Sophomore*)

2021 Projection: Third-Team (Z)
2020 Statistics: None

After joining the team before the 2019 season, Tomlin has yet to break out offensively for the Terrapins. He’s caught just one pass during his first two seasons and has played primarily on special teams.

I’ve projected Tomlin to serve as the team’s third-string flanker in 2021. Like DeGennaro, he has the ability to play both outside and inside. But with the glut of talent at the wide receiver position this season, he’ll likely have a tough time breaking through.

Marcus Fleming (Redshirt Freshman*)

2021 Projection: Third-Team (H)
2020 Statistics (Nebraska): 5 receptions, 75 yds (15.0 ypr), 0 TD

Fleming may be the most underrated addition to Maryland’s offense this season. He transferred before spring practice began after spending his freshman year at Nebraska. A prototypical shifty slot receiver, he also has the ability to return kicks and punts.

I’ve projected Fleming to serve as the team’s third-string slot receiver in 2021. With Jarrett and Cobbs above him it may be difficult to receive significant snaps right away, but Locksley will likely find a few creative ways to get him on the field with the ball in his hands.

Tai Felton (Freshman)

2021 Projection: Fourth-Team (X)
2020 Statistics (High School): N/A

Felton joins the team as the lone wide receiver in Locksley’s 2021 recruiting class. He was ranked as a 3-star recruit by 247Sports, and the 29th-best player from the state of Virginia. I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string split end in 2021, and the coaching staff will likely try to redshirt him.

Sean Leonard (Sophomore)

2021 Projection: Fourth-Team (Z)
2020 Statistics: Did Not Play

Leonard joined the team before last season as a walk-on after playing his high school football at South River High School in Edgewater, MD where he was a teammate of quarterback David Foust. He didn’t see the field at all as a true freshman, and I’ve projected him to serve as the team’s fourth-string flanker in 2021.

DeJuan Ellis (Redshirt Junior*)

2021 Projection: Fourth-Team (H)
2020 Statistics: 1 reception, 7 yds (7.0 ypr), 0 TD

Ellis received his first playing time last year after sitting out the 2019 season following his transfer from Virginia Tech. He’s played both defensive back and wide receiver during his time at Maryland, and will play on the offensive side of the ball this season.

I’ve projected Ellis to serve as the team’s fourth-string slot receiver in 2021. He’ll likely compete with Fleming and McDougle for snaps behind Jarrett and Cobbs, and is expected to begin the season as the starting kickoff returner.

Deajaun McDougle (Sophomore*)

2021 Projection: Fifth-Team (H)
2020 Statistics: 2 receptions, 21 yds (10.5 ypr), 0 TD

McDougle joined the team as a 3-star recruit in Locksley’s 2020 recruiting class after playing his high school football at Deerfield Beach High School in the state of Florida. His only significant offensive snaps came in the team’s game against Indiana, one that a large number of players missed after testing positive for COVID-19.

I’ve projected McDougle to serve as the team’s fifth-string slot receiver in 2021, but he’ll have the chance to compete with Fleming and Ellis for snaps during the summer.