Between transfer portal additions and the incoming freshman class, Maryland football will welcome more than 30 new faces to College Park next season. Not all will have an immediate impact, or any noticeable impact next season, but some will be tasked with filling major voids in the roster.
When opportunity meets talent, a newcomer can thrive early. But which of these newly minted Terps will get the chance to contribute right away, and who might have the biggest impact? We dive deeper…
Offense
Tellek Lockette, RG – With the need to replace multiple starters on the offensive line, there’s an immediate opening for the Texas State transfer. Lockette brings plenty of experience to the table, and he should slot into the starting right guard position next season. Before taking a redshirt year in 2025 due to injury, the 6-foot-3, 327-pounder started 30 games for the Bobcats over three seasons. He was a preseason First Team All-Sun Belt selection last season before sitting out the year.
Harry Dalton III, RB – The running back room in College Park is crowded entering next season, but it’s not necessarily loaded. Incumbents Dejuan Williams, Iverson Howard, and Bud Coombs will likely get first crack, but Dalton could climb the depth chart quickly if he impresses when given opportunities. The USC transfer appeared in four games as a true freshman last season. He carried the ball eight times for 44 yards (5.5 yards per carry) for the Trojans, but the Virginia native has returned to the East Coast, where he was a multi-sport star at Dinwiddie County High School. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound tailback finished his prep career as the Richmond-area’s all-time leader in yards (11,282) and touchdowns (160). He has four years of eligibility remaining, so the Terps could begin to groom him this year for a bigger future role.
Preston Howard, TE – Terps fans will recognize Howard’s name, as he began his college career at Maryland before entering the transfer portal the first time. After a stop in Auburn, he’s made his way back to College Park, and it comes at a good time. Former Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton liked to deploy multiple-tight end formations, but it’s not a position where the Terps have a ton of depth. Howard helps fix that with plenty of experience under his belt and familiarity with his “new” surroundings. We will see how new OC Clint Trickett utilizes. Howard started seven games at tight end for Auburn last season, and before that, he produced for the Terps by hauling in 37 catches for 349 yards and a touchdown between the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He and Dorian Fleming have the inside track to lead the tight end room in starts and snaps next season.
Chris Durr Jr. & Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, WR – Maryland’s wide receiver room got decimated by offseason departures, but that opens the door for transfer portal additions like Durr and Gladding. In particular, Shaleak Knotts, Jalil Farooq, and Octavian Smith Jr. combined for 145 catches, 1,791 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns last season. The trio is out of eligibility and leaves behind some big shoes to fill. But Durr and Gladding, albeit against a lower level of competition, combined for 96 catches, 1,136 yards, and 10 touchdowns last season, so the Terps are hoping they can step in right away and make up for most of that production. Durr is more of a slot receiver, although Gladding has some experience there as well. Both very well could begin the year as starting receivers.
Defense
Zion Elee, OLB – Let’s start with the most obvious. Elee is a five-star prospect and the gem of Maryland’s 2025 recruiting class. He joins an impressive young group of pass rushers in College Park and should make his presence felt right away because of his immense talent. Whether an immediate starter or not, Elee will likely rotate with Sidney Stewart at the SAM linebacker position. They’ll be getting after opposing quarterbacks with the likes of Zahir Mathis and Daniel Wingate. If he’s as good as projected, Elee could help make this one of the best pass-rushing corps in the country.
Amari Jackson, DB – Maryland’s secondary struggled last season, but a veteran cornerback with 28 starts in the ACC should help bolster that unit. Jackson transferred in from Boston College and figures to take over starting Nickle duties right away. Between his last two seasons at Boston College, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder recorded 28 tackles, nine pass breakups, and one interception. His most productive season at BC was actually his sophomore year in 2023, when he started all 13 games and totaled 39 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and an interception he returned 30 yards for a touchdown. He will have one year of eligibility for the Terps.
Lavon Johnson/Derrick LeBlanc/Armon Parker/Jayvon Parker, DL – The Terps have to replace four of their interior defensive linemen from last season. These four transfer portal additions have the college experience to possibly stave off incoming freshmen at their position like Cam Brickle II and Jamarcus Whyce, but Defensive Coordinator Ted Monachino will likely play whoever he has to in order to improve what was perhaps Maryland’s weakest unit in 2025. The Terps were gashed by the run last season, so look for a steady rotation of fresh bodies on the interior of the defensive line to try to fix that in 2026.
Terps Analyst
Pat has been covering sports in the DMV area since 2012. He is a former Washington Redskins beat reporter for PressBoxDC.com and has been covering University of Maryland football and basketball recruiting and daily beats for Rivals.com’s Terrapin Sports Report since 2013. Pat graduated from College Park with his master’s degree in journalism and has received bylines in publications such as USA TODAY Sports, The Philadelphia Inquirer, SB Nation, and Yahoo! Sports. A Philadelphia native, Pat enjoys fishing, golfing, and playing fantasy sports when he’s not covering or watching a game.