Coming off a 2021 campaign that saw the Terps finish 7-6 and win a bowl game for the first time since 2010, internal expectations are high in the Maryland football program.
Here are some things to watch for as the Terps gear up for 2022:
Maryland’s receiving corps is one of the deepest in the country
The Terps boast arguably the deepest receiver room among all of college football.
After leading the Terps in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, Maryland-native Rakim Jarrett was named to the watch list for the 2022 Biletnikoff Award — gifted to the nation’s top receiver. Jarrett will return for his junior season, despite garnering interest from numerous SEC schools during the offseason.
“Before [rumors about other schools] even got out, coach [Locksley] called me about it,” Jarrett said. “We talked about it and I came to my senses.”
Dontay Demus Jr. and Jeshaun Jones are also back following season-ending injuries in 2021. The duo suffered their injuries in back-to-back games, decimating much of Maryland’s receiving production. Demus Jr., who averaged 101.4 yards per game in five starts, and Jones return for their fifth seasons in College Park.
Both are expected to be ready for week one.
“[Demus] is ahead of schedule,” Locksley said. “Our thought is we will see him in the first game.”
An already-experienced unit was bolstered during the offseason by the addition of Jacob Copeland, who joined Maryland after four seasons at Florida. The Pensacola-native totaled 642 receiving yards last season for the Gators, including a 175-yard, two-touchdown game against South Florida.
Copeland also provides depth to the receiving corps, should the group suffer injuries like last season.
“We’re going to have to find ways to get them all involved because they’re all very capable and they’re all playmakers,” offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. “We’ll be able to come up with packages where they’re all out there, packages where we feature certain guys in certain areas.”
Regardless of who plays where, wide receiver should be a strength for Maryland’s offense.
“I don’t think there is [a ceiling],” Jarrett said. “Sky’s the limit if we all stay healthy.”
Maryland’s offensive line is stronger and deeper
Maryland’s offensive line depth was in flux last season, and it’s one of the program’s top question marks to start the season. Not only is the depth improved for 2022, but the continuity is there as well. All five projected starters are returners from 2021: Spencer Anderson, Johari Branch, Jaelyn Duncan, Mason Lunsford and Delmar Glaze.
Junior Aric Harris, who appeared in 11 games last season and started nine at center, is expected to play a role as well.
“It’s perfect when you can bring back essentially six guys that are starting to play the big time games for us,” Anderson said. “It’s also good when you can have those guys try and give pointers and tips and knowledge to younger guys.”
Anderson is the most notable of the bunch. The redshirt senior earned an 86.6 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus last season, which was the best among all offensive lineman in the Big Ten.
“[We] Feel good that they will be able to take the experiences over the last few years [and use them], and I saw us getting better with each year,” Locksley said. “I think it’s the most improved unit on our team.”
With plenty of firepower on the outside, the Terps should also be much-improved in the trenches to begin the season.
“The way we feel about our offensive line right now compared to a year ago is night-and-day,” Enos said.
Taulia Tagovailoa is set up for a successful third season in College Park
Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa broke numerous school records last year, including passing yards (3,860), completions (328), completion percentage (69.2%), 300-yard passing games (7). He also tied the program record for touchdowns with Scott Milanovich (26).
Last season, Tagovailoa ranked top three in the Big Ten in passing yards, completion percentage, and passing efficiency (151.1).
Tagovailoa, part of the 2022 Maxwell Award Watch List, is set for a strong third season in College Park. Now in his second season in Enos’ offense, and with one of the deepest receiving corps in the country, Tagovailoa is set to reach even another level in his play.
“With coach Enos’ offense, for a gunslinger quarterback … they always try to put me in good positions to show my talent,” Tagovailoa said.
For his head coach, Tagovailoa’s next step is on the mental side of things.
“The only goal I have is to continue to emotionally mature, which I think he’s done each and every year,” Locksley said. “The next step for [Taulia] is to continue to be emotionally mature and as a leader, he doesn’t ride the wave of emotions that go within a game.”
Changes in the defense
One of the biggest changes that defensive coordinator Brian Williams anticipates in this year’s defense is the level of communication before the snap.
“I would like for you to see us be very animated, and how we communicate before the ball is snapped,” Williams said. “If you got everybody on the same page, no matter what the situation is, we can live to see another down.”
Sophomore defensive back Dante Trader Jr. is expected to play a big role in the Terps’ defense this season, following the departure of Nick Cross and Jordan Mosely to the NFL. In 12 games off the bench last season, Trader Jr. notched 16 tackles and a pass breakup. He’s primed to start at safety.
Alongside Trader Jr., a key member in the secondary is senior cornerback Jakorian Bennett. Last season, Bennett led all Power Five players with 16 pass breakups and had five games with at least two pass breakups, tied for the third-most in the country.
Neither Trader Jr. nor Bennett lack confidence for the defense in 2022.
“Sky’s the limit,” Bennett said.
Following a successful 2021 season, the Terps are ready to take the next step in the Big Ten
Maryland reached the seven-win mark last season for the first time since 2014, the Terps’ inaugural season in the Big Ten. In the six seasons between 2014 and 2021, Maryland compiled a record of 23-43, a winning percentage of just .348.
After ending the 2021 season in dominant fashion, boat racing Virginia Tech 54-10 in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, the Terps enter the 2022 season riding high.
“We’ve got really high expectations for ourselves entering this ‘22 season,” Locksley said. ‘What we’ve got to do with the expectations we set for ourselves is [to] play to the best of our ability.”
