Terps Football: 2018 Positional Preview – Offensive Guards

The Terrapins’ offensive line returns all 5 starters from last season, including both of its guards. Depth may be a bit of a concern here, but with plenty of versatile linemen on the outside, there shouldn’t be too much worry if someone happens to go down. With new offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s wide-ranging offensive scheme, a premium will likely be placed on athletic guards who can pin and pull to create space inside for the team’s running backs.

This article is part of a series previewing the 2018 Maryland football season. You can find my full projected depth chart here.

(Discuss this article on the BSL Message Board here.)

Sean Christie (Redshirt Senior)

2018 Projection: Starter (Left Guard)
2017 Statistics: 12 games played (12 starts)

Christie started all 12 games for the Terrapins at left guard last season, and enters 2018 with the inside track to do the same. He’s a versatile lineman, having played both outside and inside during his career, and was a solid find as a low-ranked recruit by former head coach Randy Edsall and his staff. Christie is a good, athletic player who should fare well in Canada’s scheme.

I have projected Christie to serve as the team’s starting left guard this season. While his position is the one most likely along the line to have competition during the summer, he should be able to win the job and finish his Maryland career strong.

Terrance Davis (Junior)

2018 Projection: Starter (Right Guard)
2017 Statistics: 12 games played (12 starts)

Davis has seen action in every single game since stepping foot on campus as a 4-star recruit in 2016. He’s started all but 4 of those games, including 9 starts as a true freshman. It’s not often that a lineman can become an immediate quality contributor, but Davis is the exception. His strength and athleticism make him perfectly suited for a big role once again this season.

I have projected Davis to serve as the team’s starting right guard in 2018, a role that he’ll almost certainly carry through next season as well.

Brian Plummer (Redshirt Sophomore)

2018 Projection: Second-Team (Left Guard)
2017 Statistics: 3 games played (0 starts)

Behind Christie, the depth chart becomes a lot more uncertain. Plummer came to Maryland as a 3-star recruit in 2016, and saw minimal action last season. He has the ability to play both inside and outside, but it looks like the coaching staff sees him as a guard.

I have projected Plummer to serve as Christie’s primary backup at left guard this season. He’ll have a chance to compete for a much bigger role in 2019.

Tyler Hamilton (Sophomore)

2018 Projection: Second-Team (Right Guard)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play

Hamilton walked onto Maryland’s football team this season, and has the chance to see some of the field this season if some injuries happen above him on the depth chart. I’ve projected Hamilton to serve as Davis’ primary backup in 2018, though most of his opportunities will likely come on special teams.

Jack Wagman (Sophomore)

2018 Projection: Third-Team (Left Guard)
2017 Statistics: Did Not Play

Like Hamilton, Wagman walked onto the team this year. He’ll likely serve a similar role to Hamilton’s, as most of his playing time will come on special teams. I’ve projected him to sit behind Christie and Plummer on the depth chart at left guard.

Evan Gregory (Freshman)

2018 Projection: Redshirt
2017 Statistics (High School): N/A

Gregory arrives in College Park as a 3-star recruit from nearby DeMatha Catholic High School. 247Sports ranked him as the 19th-best guard in the nation, and the 10th-best player in the state of Maryland. He chose the Terrapins over offers from Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia, and West Virginia.

I have projected Gregory to redshirt this season, but if Christie and/or Davis were to go down, he’d have a good chance to jump a few spots on the depth chart into a starting role.