Maryland’s 2017 season was ruined undoubtedly by injuries. In the worst case of the injury bug I’ve seen, the Terps lost their top two quarterbacks and one of their pass rushers just in the first couple weeks of the season last year. They are looking to come back this year and show how great they can be. Their success might be limited though, due to the fact that they play in what is quite possibly the toughest division in college football. A winning record and a bowl berth are well in grasp for them this year, and that’s what they’re hoping to reach.
Prestige Ranking (If NCAA Football 19 existed): 3*
Last Year’s Record: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Projected Returning Starters:
Offense: 9
QB (Either Kasim Hill or Tyrrell Pigrome), RB Ty Johnson, WR Taivon Jacobs, WR Jahrvis Davenport, OL Derwin Gray, OL Sean Christie, OL Brendan Moore, OL Terrance Davis, OL Damian Prince.
This unit is mixing experience with novice all throughout. The Terps return all 5 starting lineman in a unit sure to improve from last year. They also return both Hill and Pigrome at QB. Pigrome started game 1 last year, but got injured early. Hill looked good filling in until he too got hurt. They will need to replace star wideout DJ Moore, but will bring back two of the other top three receivers from last years campaign. Lastly, they will return their top two rushers, Johnson and the unmentioned Lorenzo Harrison.
Defense: 5
DL Jesse Aniebonam (before injury), LB Isaiah Davis (9 starts), NB Antoine Brooks, DB Tino Ellis, DB Darnell Savage
In a unit that simply looked terrible last year, they still need to replace a lot, but they do get some help. In addition to those mentioned, they get some key grad transfers. These include former 5 star DE End Byron Cowart from Auburn, and former Florida State corner Marcus Lewis. Aniebonam’s return on the d-line will also be a big boost for the defense as they look to rebound in a big way. Isaiah Davis getting some more looks at LB this year will be sure to help the team also. Anything they can do will almost assuredly improve on the 37.1 PPG they gave up last season.
Special Teams: 2
P Wade Lees, KR Ty Johnson
They will need to replace their kicker, but bring back a punter who averaged 39.2 yards per punt last year. In addition, they bring back Ty Johnson to return kicks. Johnson did have 1 kick return touchdown last season and hopes to add to that number this year.
Key Losses:
WR DJ Moore, DL Chandler Burkett, LB Jermaine Carter, DB JC Jackson, DB Josh Wood
DJ Moore was a first round draft pick, and his 1000+ receiving yards cannot be replaced this year. On defense they need to replace a lot. They need to replace their top 5 leaders in sacks. Their top two sacks leaders last year were Carter and Burkett, and Carter also led the whole team in total tackles. Jackson was tied for the team lead in interceptions with 3, and Woods wasn’t far behind with 2. We will see if the Terps can find a formula to replace that pass rush up front as well as the playmaking ability in the back of the defense.
Five Year Recruiting Rank (Bill Connelly): 37
Maryland is in a tough place in recruiting. It is difficult to find recruits who want to play for a program that hasn’t necessarily had the recent on field success of other teams in their own division. Also, Maryland itself isn’t exactly in the middle of “Big Ten Country” when it comes to them recruiting those type of players. Lastly, they had two program changing players flip on them in 2016. They had Keandre Jones and Dwayne Haskins both committed to them before flipping to Ohio State. Both of those players are expected to start this year for the Buckeyes, and they could’ve absolutely turned Maryland football around, maybe even all the way into a contender.
Alcohol Prediction for Fans By Seasons End: Loose Cannon IPA. It’s from Maryland and it’s smooth and looks good, but sometimes it’ll leave you wishing for just a little bit more.
The Tyrell Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team: Qwuantrezz Knight.
I’m pretty sure his parents were just playing scrabble… How else do you explain a name with a Q, a W, and 2 Z’s?
Outlook:
Maryland has a very talented roster and is looking to improve on an injury-laden 2017 season. They do not have the easiest schedule to try to do it. They have games obviously against Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State, and they have a non conference game against Texas. While they won the game against Texas last year, that game is no easy win as this could be the year Texas is “back.” Their cross-division games against Minnesota and Illinois are cake walks, but the division slate in the Big Ten East is just too brutal. Maryland could be the most improved team in the Big Ten, and could cause some waves, but will most likely not threaten to win the conference.
