Maryland Football Scoop: What to expect in the transfer portal
Transfer portal season has arrived, and players everywhere have begun entering their names into college football's free agency pool. What's the latest at Maryland? Who could leave and which positions do the Terps need to fill?
Transfer portal season has arrived, and players everywhere have begun entering their names into college football's free agency pool. What's the latest at Maryland? Who could leave and which positions do the Terps need to fill?If you're not getting our email newsletter, take a moment to sign up so you don't miss any news and follow our social media channels here for more Terps content.
It's hard to list Maryland's needs without first knowing who will leave. And money is always a factor, though I'm told they'll be spending significantly more this year, which is vital because they need players at a couple of positions that come at a premium.
As always, most of the departures will likely be guys who didn't play much and don't see a path to playing time and others who struggled in their roles. Two backups who weren't playing, quarterback Cam Edge and tight end Leron Husbands, have already announced their intentions to hit the portal.
But there are always a few big names leaving because that's the nature of the business (here's how last year's transfers fared this season). Two names to keep an eye on: tight ends Preston Howard and Dylan Wade. I've heard both are considering it, though it's unknown how seriously. Maryland's been hit hard at tight end in recent years, including CJ Dippre (Alabama) two years ago, then Corey Dyches (Cal) and Rico Walker (Auburn) last year. But Locksley's offense is tight end-friendly, and he seems to reload easily at the position.
At quarterback, no one will be surprised if MJ Morris leaves. He seems highly unlikely to win the job next year and Malik Washington is on the way; as I've reported throughout, there's no concern about Washington not signing this week. Locksley has spoken about Billy Edwards like he's returning.
It wouldn't be surprising if one or two younger quarterbacks who haven't played and are unlikely to play also depart. As I previously reported, freshman Khristian Martin is one young quarterback viewed as a potential impact player, and I'd guess he'll stick around.
The positions where I expect the most departures and additions are cornerback, receiver and offensive line. At corner, no one played particularly well this season. Second-year guys Perry Fisher and Kevis Thomas struggled all season. True freshman Kevyn Humes and Braydon Lee weren't ready to play, though they had to because of a shortage. Bowling Green transfer Jalen Huskey moved to safety. While he wasn't the biggest name to leave last year, cornerback Gavin Gibson would've been the most valuable of all the departures this season for Maryland. I'd think multiple defensive backs will leave and Maryland will add a bunch of them. Reinforcements are needed and some of the defensive backs on the roster would be better suited at a different level of college football.
On the offensive line, Maryland is banking on some of the highly regarded young lineman becoming reliable player's next season. But Locksley knows he can't bank on that. They'll add multiple offensive linemen this year and will need to spend money to get more established names after last season's incoming transfers weren't good enough this season. Some of the guys who struggled there this year will depart.
Maryland has a lack of young talent at receiver. They took flyers on a bunch of under-the-radar guys recently and they haven't panned out. Guys like Ryan Manning and Mekhi White still have upside, but none of the young guys have distinguished themselves and I'd be surprised if there aren't multiple departures. The Terps lose their only two established receivers, Tai Felton and Kaden Prather, so there's a big hole here other than Octavian Smith, who began to show some signs of living up to his four-star billing as a recruit. After a good run of recruits here -- guys like Dontay Demus, Rakim Jarrett, Jeshaun Jones, Felton and Prather -- recruiting hit a downturn the past couple of years so proven solutions are needed.
The defensive line will also be a focus. Maryland loses a lot of experience there and while the unit underperformed this season, you need size and depth in the Big Ten trenches. They'll need high-level help on the inside and on the edge after ranking last in the Big Ten with 14 sacks.
It'll be a little while before we know who they'll prioritize in the portal because players are just beginning to enter. But I'd expect them to be aggressive shoppers. Stay tuned.
