ADVERTISEMENT

QB ON THE WAY?...

Former UCLA QB Justyn Martin could be closing in on a decision​

The former UCLA quarterback is on an official visit back East and could make his decision sooner than later.​


Former UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin is currently on a visit to Maryland and the Terps are making a strong push right now.

NCAA transfer portal: Latest portal additions | Team transfer rankings | Top player rankings

Martin visited Florida earlier in the month and this trip to Maryland is his second official trip since jumping in to the Transfer Portal. Martin is currently a high-three-star prospect with an 88 rating in the Sports Transfer Portal Rankings.

While we know the visit to Florida was a good one for Martin, the opportunity to compete for a starting spot is a big priority for him. He was slated to be QB1 at UCLA this fall before entering the Transfer Portal and obviously Gator freshman DJ Lagway is locked in as the starter for the next two years.

Maryland reached out to Martin a little over a week ago and has done a good job making sure he knows he's a high priority. From talking with someone close to Martin's recruitment, the offensive fit, chance to play early and the talent on the roster are all big pluses for him.
I went ahead and put in a Crystal Ball forecast for the Terps, and I could see a decision going down as soon as later this weekend.

He played in three games, including a start at Penn State, and played well against one of the nation's top defenses.

Martin is currently a red-shirt sophomore and played in three games during his UCLA career. He got one start playing on the road against Penn State last season and played well, completing 22 of 30 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown.
Martin was a four-star prospect coming out of Inglewood (Calif.) as part of the class of '22 and rated the No. 17 signal caller in the country.

Portal Interest...

Maryland Football Recruiting: Transfer portal prospect at key position ready to visit "very soon"​

The Terps are making a quick push for a transfer portal prospect at a key spot.​


Portal season is in full swing, and one of the top priorities in the portal for Maryland is on the offensive line, where the Terps struggled all season. One offensive line transfer they reached out to is ready to take a trip to campus.

Former Akron offensive tackle Jayvin James received an offer from Maryland offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski today.

"They talked to my high school coach, and they reached out. They talked to a couple of coaches and then talked to me and offered," he said. "They're just very interested. They want to get me out for a visit soon."


Maryland needs immediate help at tackle after its first-year starters had a tough time this season.

"They like the potential, the upside, I would say. They noticed I do a lot of good things now, but I also have another gear I can get to."

A Broward County, Fla., native, James has been getting a lot of calls since he entered the portal. Along with Maryland, he has offers from Cincinnati, UCF and Georgia State, along with serious interest from Louisville, where he plans to visit. Will he be heading to College Park for a visit?

"Yes, very soon."

Fewer Local Stars for Terps?...

Will Kevin Willard's unusual new rule for Maryland basketball's recruiting mean fewer local stars for Terps?​

Kevin Willard vowed at his first press conference as Maryland's basketball coach to bring local recruits to College Park. And he has, but some of those DMV high school products haven't lived up to expectations and he has a new rule​


Kevin Willard vowed at his first press conference as Maryland's basketball coach to bring local recruits to College Park. And he has, but most of those DMV high school products haven't lived up to expectations.

Four players have transferred out of Maryland and three others haven't played a significant role. Derik Queen is Willard's only high school recruit who has thrived at the collegiate level. But after last season, Willard changed his recruiting philosophy. The 49-year-old has been a head coach for 16 seasons. He's no longer focusing on large recruiting classes of high school prospects, which could mean fewer local stars and more out-of-area imports from the portal, like Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Selton Miguel.

"To load up on freshmen is, it just doesn't make any sense anymore," Willard said. "Two or three freshmen is going to be the limit of what we add."

The explosion of Name, Image and Likeness deals have also added a stark reality. High school players are garnering record-level deals. For example, 2025 top-recruit AJ Dybantsa is rumored to be commanding nearly $7 million.

"We won't take any more than three freshmen a year. And everyone says, 'Well, why?' I tell them, you have to pay freshmen. They haven't scored a bucket for you. They're unproven, as good as they are and I think I have one of the best freshmen in the country," Willard said. "[But] they still haven't scored for you. So, you're going to go out there and you're going to have to commit money to them and then at the end of the year, really, they're all going to transfer because it's the only way for them to find out what their true value is to go in the portal."

Maryland basketball's 2023 recruiting class was the low point. Willard brought in a four-man class: DeShawn Harris-Smith, Jahnathan Lamothe, Jamie Kaiser Jr. and Braden Pierce. Harris-Smith is the only player who has played significant minutes, and he's struggled mightily to live up to his top-25 ranking coming out of Paul VI (Va.). Kaiser transferred after a rocky freshman season, Lamothe barely played last year before leaving for North Carolina A&T and Pierce redshirted last season before suffering an eye injury this year.

Willard's excelled at finding quality players in the transfer portal, though. Jahmir Young, Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, Selton Miguel and others arrived from different schools. Most of them have had career seasons in College Park.

There are benefits to both approaches. It can work building a young core filled with players who understand a program's systems and culture. Teams like Michigan State and Purdue have rarely used the transfer portal, instead relying onhigh school recruits like Braden Smith, Zach Edey and others. Mat Painter has only recruited two players from the transfer portal over the past four seasons. His team has been the class of the Big Ten during that same time span. But he's the exception, and even Painter sees the shifts in college basketball.

"I think I'll go into the portal when I have to. I don't think it will be my decision," Painter said at Big Ten Media Days in October. "We've taken two guys out of the portal in two years — I do not think we can continue at that clip. From a numbers standpoint, trying to keep 13 scholarship guys happy is really hard."

Maryland fans can expect to have plenty of roster turnover every season. That's a risk, especially if Willard loses his scouting touch. But it also allows for a quick turnaround, exemplified by the Terps start this season.

***Saint Francis (Pa.) Game Thread***

Terps back in action tonight after a long layoff for finals. They are coming off of a tough loss at Purdue, but they looked pretty good for about 30 minutes and should definitely be able to build off of that performance.

They get an easy one tonight before taking on Cuse in NYC on Saturday (although the Orange are struggling right now) and they will hit the ground running with B1G play starting in the new year.

Usual starters tonight for the Terps:

Ja'Kobi Gillespie
Rodney Rice
Selton Miguel
Julian Reese
Derik Queen

Looking for Reese to have a big bounce back game tonight.

Game can be seen on BTN.

Kaleb Webb explains Maryland pick...

Tennessee football transfer Kaleb Webb explains Maryland pick, breaks down potential starting quarterbacks​

The Georgia native had a connection to the Maryland staff from his high school recruitment.​


Former Tennessee wide receiver Kaleb Webb announced his commitment to Maryland on Tuesday, becoming the Terps' first portal addition this offseason.

Webb, a former four-star recruit from suburban Georgia, played in 23 games as a Volunteer, totaling 22 catches for 214 yards and one touchdown. He joins the Maryland program with two years of eligibility remaining.

"I just entered the portal because I really just expected a bigger role at Tennessee, and I feel like I was good enough to just be on the field somewhere," Webb told InsideMDSports. "I have two years left, so I want to have two years of production. And I've seen that Maryland has had a lot of production, and really just like Coach [Mike Locksley], wherever he's been, there's been a lot of receiver production. So I feel like I could just fit in there."

With Tai Felton and Kaden Prather graduating, Maryland needs receivers badly, including a big-bodied receiver like Webb (6-foot-3, 204 pounds) with Prather gone. It helped that Webb had a prior relationship with running backs coach Latrell Scott. Visiting the program checked off all other boxes.

"I was just looking for a situation where ... My mom's a schoolteacher, I wanted [to go] somewhere I can get a meaningful degree, as well as a majority of my credits being able to transfer over from Tennessee," Webb said. "And then just looking for a good culture, good coaching staff, and a team that was in need of a bigger-bodied receiver, and somewhere I could just come in and be effective on and off the field. At Maryland, Coach Scott recruited me when he was at ECU a few years ago when I was in high school, and he was one of the first people to reach out to me once I went into the portal. So that relationship, I kind of had Maryland always in the back of my mind. That relationship has been close to me, so I feel like that was just like a no-brainer, almost."

Another connection to the program is in quarterback MJ Morris, with whom Webb played 7-on-7 football in high school. Despite the Terps not having a starting quarterback set in stone, it wasn't a deterrent for Webb in seeking a landing spot.

"I played seven on seven with MJ in high school, so I know what kind of caliber quarterback he is, and he played towards the back end of the season," Webb said. "Honestly, I feel like he can just be just as effective as Billy Edwards was, and they speak really highly of [Malik Washington]. I haven't really had to do my deep dive on him, but I know they speak very highly of him within the building. Coach Locks, I feel like he just has a quarterback-friendly offense as well. So I feel like whoever is at that position really can be effective as a quarterback, so I'm not really worried about that."

Webb visited College Park before taking a visit to Wake Forest. He committed to the Demon Deacons last week, before head coach Dave Clawson resigned from his position this week, prompting Webb to reevaluate his commitment and flip to Maryland.

"The facilities are amazing, and the coaching staff really was just really welcoming," Webb said. "They're losing a lot of production at the receiver position, so they want to have some guys come in and be able to compete to basically replace that production. And that was very welcoming to me, having two years left and just really looking to produce. I think they had like 250 targets between Tai Felton and [Kaden Prather] last year, so that was that really stood out to me. Just the ability, [to have] a fair chance to come in and compete. I feel like Coach Locks made that very clear to me, and that's all I can really ask for out of a coaching staff, so that stood out to me."

Webb played in a career-high 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2023, seeing time on offense and on special teams, but saw a decrease in role in 2024. While the coaching staff's thought process is unknown, Webb is excited for the new opportunity.

"I feel like everything happens for a reason," Webb said. "Maybe this is just like God's plan for me to find that new spot in another place. But, yeah, I'm really just looking forward to affecting the game whichever way I can, whether that's on special teams, offense or just any anywhere they need me to be. I'm looking forward to really just doing it all, and I'm excited for not only like offense, but being able to make some special teams plays as well."

Coming from Tennessee in the SEC, Webb will have the opportunity to test himself in the Big Ten, making him experienced in the two top conferences in college football. The Big Ten's national footprint opens the door to a wide range of opponents and philosophies from coast to coast.

"I feel like the SEC has prepared me a lot," Webb said. "It really doesn't get any better, but between Big Ten football and SEC football, I feel like I'm going to another competitive conference. I know in the SEC I probably faced more press [coverage] than I would in the in the Big Ten, so I feel like that's prepared me, just from a route running perspective and physicality standpoint. I feel like I should be able to come into the Big Ten and be able to contribute and execute on my assignments."

Webb will join the Maryland program this winter and be on campus for winter workouts and spring practice ahead of the 2025 season.
  • Like
Reactions: rodneybenchoff

Terps MVP award...

Maryland football names its season MVP, rookies of the year and more​

Plenty of Terps were honored with individual awards Sunday night.​

The Maryland football team held its annual awards banquet Sunday afternoon at The Hotel in College Park.

Johnny Holliday, the long-time voice of Maryland athletics, emceed the event. Athletic director Damon Evans and Mike Locksley's coaching staff handed out awards.

Maryland wrapped up its season at 4-8 overall and 1-8 in the Big Ten, snapping a streak of three straight bowl game appearances (and victories). The Terps held last year's banquet before the Music City Bowl, but the 2024 Terps had played their last game together on the final day of November.

The three permanent team captains, as voted on by the players, were wide receiver Tai Felton, running back Roman Hemby and safety Dante Trader Jr. Last year, four permanent captains were selected: Taulia Tagovailoa, Jeshaun Jones, Beau Brade and Ruben Hyppolite II.

From the team MVP all the way down to scout-team honors, here's which Terps were honored Sunday night.

RAY KROUSE MEMORIAL AWARD (MVP) AND OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – TAI FELTON​

Tai Felton had a tremendous senior season, posting 96 catches for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns. Felton led the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards and ranked among the nation's leaders all season long. A Biletnikoff Award semifinalist (the award ultimately went to Colorado's Travis Hunter), Felton was named an All-Big Ten first-team selection and a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. Felton will participate in the Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine as part of the pre-NFL Draft process.
Last year's winner: Taulia Tagovailoa

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – DANTE TRADER JR.​

Dante Trader Jr. finished his senior season with 59 tackles, the second most on the team despite missing two games. He also had a team-leading 37 solo tackles, an interception and four pass breakups. Trader, a three-year starter who was a cornerstone in the Maryland defensive backfield, is also heading to the Reese's Senior Bowl with Felton.
Last year's winner: Ruben Hyppolite II

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR – BRYCE MCFERSON​

Bryce McFerson had a tremendous year punting in his first season as a Terp. McFerson had 52 punts for an average of 45.1 yards, the fifth longest in the Big Ten. McFerson also booted three punts for touchbacks and 18 50-yard punts, the third most in the conference. The Notre Dame transfer and native of Indian Trail, North Carolina, was just a redshirt sophomore in 2024.
Last year's winner: Sean Greeley

FRESHMAN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – NOLAN RAY & TEREZ DAVIS​

Nolan Ray finished his redshirt freshman season as Maryland's second-leading rusher, running for 381 yards and two touchdowns on 75 carries. Ray averaged five yards per carry. He also had 11 catches for 76 yards. A former three-star recruit in the Class of 2023, Ray is set to take a larger role in 2025.
Terez Davis made an impact on the offensive line as just a true freshman for the Terps. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Davis made his first career start at left tackle at No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 9. Davis, a DeMatha Catholic product, was a three-star recruit and the No. 1,395 player nationally in the Class of 2024, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Last year's winner: Preston Howard

FRESHMAN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – TREY REDDICK​

True freshman linebacker Trey Reddick played in 11 games, finishing with 16 tackles (nine solo), three tackles for loss and a sack. Reddick made a career-high four tackles at No. 1 Oregon. His sack came at Indiana on Sept. 28. The Hampton, Virginia, native was a three-star recruit and the No. 861 player nationally in the Class of 2025, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

FRESHMAN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR – KEYARI JAMES

Keyari James appeared in 10 games as a true freshman for the Terps, making five tackles (three solo) and a tackle for loss. James' tackle for loss came in the regular-season finale at Penn State on Nov. 30. He also made a big hit in a nonconference win over Villanova. James, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker from Calgary, was a three-star recruit and the No. 1,149 player in the Class of 2024, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Last year's winner: Braeden Wisloski

JAMES M. TATUM MEMORIAL AWARD (LINEMAN OF THE YEAR) – JOSH KALTENBERGER & TOMMY AKINGBESOTE​

Josh Kaltenberger came from Purdue and was a mainstay at center for the Terps. The 6-foot-6, 308-pound Kaltenberger provided consistency on the offensive line and blocked for the Big Ten's third-best passing offense. The redshirt senior wrapped up his college career in a Maryland uniform.
Tommy Akingbesote finished his senior season with 32 tackles (16 solo), five tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 316 pounds, Akingbesote was Maryland's leading tackler among defensive linemen. He had two tackles for loss against Villanova and a season-high four tackles in a win over USC on Oct. 19.
Last year's winner: DJ Glaze

JORDAN MCNAIR MEMORIAL AWARD – JORDAN PHILLIPS​

Jordan Phillips finished his redshirt sophomore season with 29 tackles (17 solo) and one tackle for loss. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive lineman was named to Bruce Feldman's Freaks List ahead of the season. He came on strong to finish the season, posting a career-high eight tackles in Maryland's penultimate game against Iowa on Nov. 23. Phillips declared for the 2025 NFL Draft at the conclusion of the season.
Jordan McNair tragically passed away on June 13, 2018 following a team workout. The award is annually given to a Terp who "reflects the spirit of Jordan by showing great professionalism athletically and academically, dedication to his team, strength in the face of immense adversity, as well as courage and conviction to do the right thing."
Last year's winner: Dante Trader Jr.

  • Like
Reactions: huehueterp

OT/St. Francis and former Bullet Kevin Porter…

One of my all-time favorite Bullets, Kevin Porter (“KP”) played at St. Francis and logged 11 seasons in NBA, 6 with Washington - his first 3 and last 3 of career. Led the league in assists 4 times in career (‘75, ‘78, ‘79, ‘81) Only 5 players have won more assist titles than KP and all 5 are in HOF (Cousy, Robertson, Stockton, Nash, Kidd) Set NBA record with 29 assists in a game with NJ in 1978 that lasted 12 years until Scott Skiles broke it in 1990 with a 30-assist game that still stands today. In 1979 he had a 30-point, 25 assist game. Porter’s #10 is retired at St. Francis and he even had a 4-year run as their head coach in the ‘80’s. KP was one of the best!

***Football Transfer Portal Transfer Tracker***

Here is a link to the football transfer portal transfer tracker. It is updated daily (multiple times a day, I believe) and will be the place to go to find guys entering the portal this time of year when there will be literally hundreds of guys a day throwing their name in.

TRANSFER TRACKER

Players that have committed to Maryland so far:
Cincinnati CB Ja'Quan Sheppard
FIU WR Tyrese Chambers
St. Francis (Pa.) DE Donnell Brown
Miami (Fla.) Safety Avantae Williams
Tennessee DL Jordan Phillips
LSU OT Marcus Dumervil

Felton earns AP All-American honors

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — University of Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton has been selected to the Associated Press (AP) All-America team, it was announced on Monday

Felton was named a Third Team All-American by the AP after being chosen as a Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) last week.

Felton, who led the Big Ten in both receptions (96) and receiving yards (1,124) this season, is Maryland’s first AP All-American since kicker Brad Craddock in 2014. An Ashburn, Virginia native, Felton has the most receptions among Power Conference players and his 96 grabs is a new Maryland single-season record.

Felton, who hauled in nine touchdowns for the Terrapins, was named First Team All-Big Ten and a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist. He ranks third all-time at Maryland in career receptions (172), fourth in receiving yards (2,207) and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (17).

Felton is set to take part in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on February 1 and then participate in the 2025 NFL Combine starting on February 24 in Indianapolis.

Michigan player plans visit...

Maryland football to host Big Ten transfer at key position, per report​

The latest on Maryland football's transfer portal efforts.​


Maryland's offensive line desperately needs upgrades after the unit struggled all season, hampering the Terps' offense. The unit will return most of its players, but there's a hole at center, where starter Josh Kaltenberger is out of eligibility.

They'll bring in a Big Ten transfer at the position, Michigan center, ESPN's Max Olson reported on Sunday.

"Michigan transfer center Dominick Giudice has visited Nebraska and Missouri and plans to visit Maryland and South Carolina next, per his agency @Exclusive_SG. Giudice started 5 games for UM this season. One of the top centers in the portal with 2 more seasons of eligibility," he wrote on X.

Maryland Basketball Scoop: Recruit rumblings, Derik Queen's big decision and more

Giudice, entered the portal a week ago. Alejandro Zuniga of The Michigan Insider wrote:


A former three-star prospect in the class of 2021, Giudice appeared in five games across his freshman and sophomore campaigns. He played both ways for the Wolverines, making the transition from defensive end to offensive lineman during the 2022 season.
But in 2024, Giudice was a surprise starter at center for the Wolverines, winning the starting job over Greg Crippen. He featured against Fresno State, Texas, Arkansas State, USC and Minnesota before injuries gave Crippen another opportunity at the role. Crippen would start the remainder of the season, including against Michigan State, Oregon and Ohio State.
Giudice, a former standout at Mater Dei (New Jersey) High School, said when he committed that Michigan was his "dream school." At the time, it also represented his first Power Five offer.
"After 4 incredible years at Michigan, I've decided to enter the Transfer Portal," Giudice wrote. "I want to thank Michigan for giving me the opportunity to play football at this amazing university. I'm super blessed and grateful to my lord and savior Jesus Christ for the many blessings He has given me throughout this journey. I'm excited for what's ahead and look forward to making the most of my remaining 2 years of eligibility."

This could end up looking like a trade, with speculation swirling that departing Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. could land at Michigan.
  • Like
Reactions: terp john

2025 football schedule finalized

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The 2025 University of Maryland football schedule has been finalized, the Big Ten Conference announced on Wednesday. The Terrapins schedule includes seven home games, highlighted by league matchups with Washington, Nebraska, Indiana and Michigan to be played at SECU Stadium.

Maryland will begin its 2025 slate with three consecutive non-conference home games. The Terps will welcome Florida Atlantic for their season-opener on August 30 and then host Northern Illinois on September 6 and Towson on September 13 before beginning Big Ten Play.

Maryland will travel to Wisconsin on September 20 and then have a bye week before hosting back-to-back home games against Washington on October 4 and Nebraska on October 11. The game against the Huskies will be Maryland's first matchup against their new conference foe since playing them in the 1982 Aloha Bowl.

The Terps will then head west on October 18 to take on UCLA in Pasadena, California. It'll be the first meeting between the programs since 1955 and Maryland's first-ever game played in The Rose Bowl.

After a second bye week, the Terps return to SECU Stadium to host Indiana on November 1 before playing consecutive road games at Rutgers on November 8 and at Illinois on November 15.

Maryland will wrap up its regular season home slate with a game against Michigan on November 22 before concluding the 2025 regular season at Michigan State on November 29.



Maryland Football 2025 Schedule

August 30
Florida Atlantic
September 6
Northern Illinois
September 13
Towson
September 20
at Wisconsin
October 4 Washington
October 11
Nebraska
October 18
at UCLA
November 1 Indiana
November 8
at Rutgers
November 15
at Illinois
November 22
Michigan
November 29
at Michigan State


Note:
Selected Saturday games in the 2025 season may be adjusted to select Fridays and other special dates, including Labor Day Sunday and Black Friday. All game times will be announced at a later date
  • Like
Reactions: terp john
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT