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.
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