Last season was Maryland’s first without a true star wide receiver since 2011 when Kevin Dorsey, Quintin McCree, and Kerry Boykins led the team in receptions. From 2012-2014, Stefon Diggs led the way, and was followed by DJ Moore from 2015-2017. 2018 saw a committee approach, with Taivon Jacobs the only player with over 300 receiving yards. Youth played a large role with 4 different freshmen catching passes, including Jeshaun Jones who finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards, and leading the team in receiving touchdowns. With Jacobs graduated, 2019 will likely see a similar committee approach at the wide receiver position.

This is the second in a series of articles previewing the 2019 season. You can find the full list of previews here.

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

This article has been edited. Sean Nelson has been added, resulting in a re-arrangement of the bottom portion of the projected depth chart.

Dontay Demus (Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Starter (X)
2018 Statistics: 13 receptions, 278 yds (21.4 ypr), 0 TD; 0 carries, 0 yds (0.0 ypc), 0 TD

Demus played in all 12 of Maryland’s games as a true freshman last season, most of his playing time as a receiver came towards the end of the year. He finished second on the team in yards per reception, and caught 4 passes for 98 yards against Indiana. He also had a crucial 56-yard reception in the team’s near-upset of Ohio State the following week.

I have projected Demus to start at the split-end position for the Terrapins in 2019. His excellent size and speed project perfectly into this spot for offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery.

Jeshaun Jones (Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Starter (Z)
2018 Statistics: 22 receptions, 288 yds (13.1 ypr), 5 TD; 18 carries, 173 yds (9.6 ypc), 2 TD

Jones broke onto the scene early in his first collegiate game last year, as he caught, ran for, and threw for touchdowns against the Texas Longhorns. Following that game, he was named the National Freshman of the Week by CBS Sports, and Co-Freshman of the Week by the Big Ten Conference. As defenses began keying on him throughout the season his targets decreased, but he still finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards, and led the team in touchdown receptions. He also proved to be a valuable asset as a ball-carrier, finishing fifth on the team in rushing yards and leading the team in yards per carry.

I have projected Jones to start at the flanker position for the Terrapins in 2019. Montgomery will likely move him around in order to keep defenses on their heels, as he’s the team’s second-best offensive weapon behind running back Anthony McFarland. I’ve also projected him to serve as the starting punt returner.

DJ Turner (Senior)

2019 Projection: Starter (H)
2018 Statistics: 13 receptions, 159 yds (12.2 ypr), 1 TD; 8 carries, 25 yds (3.1 ypc), 0 TD

Turner was on his way to a solid season for the Terrapins until he suffered a thigh injury in the team’s game against Rutgers in mid-October. Unfortunately for him, this injury forced him to miss 4 games and he didn’t record a reception for the remainder of the season. He was set to be a focal point of former interim head coach Matt Canada’s offense, as he caught 5 passes and carried the ball twice in the team’s first game against Texas. His lone touchdown came on a 54-yard reception against Minnesota.

I have projected Turner to start in the slot for the Terrapins in 2019. He’ll need to step up as a leader in the wide receiver room as one of the lone upperclassmen. Like Jones, Montgomery will likely attempt to move him around and get him the ball in a number of different ways.

Darryl Jones (Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Second-Team (X)
2018 Statistics: 9 receptions, 147 yds (16.3 ypr), 0 TD; 2 carries, 8 yds (4.0 ypc), 0 TD

Like Demus, Jones played in all 12 games for the Terrapins but got more playing time on offense towards the end of the year. His best game came against Ohio State where he caught 2 passes for 68 yards, including a 60-yard reception that set up a go-ahead Maryland touchdown late in the game. Also like Demus, he has excellent size and speed that make him a good fit for the split-end position in Montgomery’s offense.

I have projected Jones to serve as Demus’ primary backup at the split-end spot in 2019, though he could challenge for the starting job in summer camp and throughout the season.

Brian Cobbs (Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Second-Team (Z)
2018 Statistics: 5 receptions, 108 yds (21.6 ypr), 0 TD; 5 carries, 8 yds (1.6 ypc), 0 TD

Cobbs is another of the many wide receivers brought in during the Terrapins’ 2018 recruiting class. He primarily played on special teams last season, but caught 2 passes in each of the team’s games against Illinois and Penn State. Like Jeshaun Jones, he has good versatility and the ability to carry the ball out of the backfield.

I have projected Cobbs to serve as Jones’ primary backup at the flanker position in 2019. The experience he gained in his true freshman season should help him as he becomes a more important part of the wide receiver rotation this year.

Tahj Capehart (Redshirt Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Second-Team (H)
2018 Statistics: Did Not Play

After coming to College Park as a highly-regarded 4-star recruit but seeing minimal game action in his true freshman season, Capehart was set for a breakout year in 2018. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending knee injury during spring practice and didn’t see the field at all. This year should be different, as he’ll attempt to use his excellent quickness and agility in Montgomery’s new offensive system.

I have projected Capehart to serve as Turner’s primary backup in the slot in 2019, though he could challenge him for the starting job this summer and throughout the season. Regardless, he should receive plenty of playing time and could also be given the opportunity to return punts.

Isaiah Hazel (Freshman)

2019 Projection: Third-Team (X)
2018 Statistics (High School): 27 receptions, 428 yds (15.9 ypr), 5 TD; 2 carries, 37 yds (18.5 ypc), 1 TD

Hazel was one of Locksley’s first recruits to commit to Maryland after the new head coach came on board in December, and he became the second-best member of the team’s 2019 class. He had been committed to West Virginia since late July, but flipped to the Terrapins just days after Locksley took the job. A product of Dr. Henry Wise High School in nearby Upper Marlboro, this coaching staff hopes he’ll be the start of a pipeline that the school has so far been unable to create with the local powerhouse.

I have projected Hazel to serve as the third-string split end receiver in 2019. He uses his size well and is an excellent route-runner, but does need to work on his speed and separation. If he proves himself in practice, he could see his playing time increase as the season moves along.

MJ Jarrell (Redshirt Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Third-Team (Z)
2018 Statistics: Did Not Play

Jarrell came to Maryland in former head coach DJ Durkin’s 2017 recruiting class, and has yet to see the field. He was a 3-star recruit from the state of Florida, and was very versatile in high school as both a receiver and a runner.

I have projected Jarrell to serve as the third-string flanker in 2019. He has an uphill battle for playing time with Jones and Cobbs ahead of him on the depth chart.

Sean Nelson (Redshirt Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Third-Team (H)
2018 Statistics: None

Nelson appeared in 10 of the team’s games on special teams last season, but didn’t record any offensive statistics. He redshirted during his true freshman season after coming to College Park as a 3-star recruit from the state of Georgia.

I have projected Nelson to serve as the team’s third-string slot receiver in 2019. He should be in the mix for playing time along with Turner and Capehart, and will also likely play a large role on special teams.

Carlos Carriere (Redshirt Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Fourth-Team (X)
2018 Statistics: None

Carriere saw the field on special teams in four games last season after serving a redshirt year in 2017. He came to Maryland as a 3-star recruit from the state of Georgia in Durkin’s 2017 recruiting class. Standing 6-foot-4, he has the chance to develop into a prime red-zone threat for the Terrapins.

I have projected Carriere to serve as the team’s fourth-string split end in 2019. He’ll likely be competing with Hazel for playing time as a reserve receiver on the outside, but the majority of his playing time will come on special teams.

Jayden Comma (Redshirt Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Fourth-Team (Z)
2018 Statistics: None

Comma appeared in seven of Maryland’s games last season on special teams after serving a redshirt year in 2017. He came to College Park as a 3-star recruit from the state of Georgia.

I have projected Comma to serve as the team’s fourth-string flanker in 2019, but he’ll likely compete with Jarrell for time as a reserve player during the summer.

Justin Brown (Sophomore)

2019 Projection: Fifth-Team (X)
2018 Statistics: Did Not Play

Brown walked onto the team last season and didn’t see the field. His best chance for playing time this year will likely come on special teams.

I have projected Brown to serve as the team’s fifth-string split end in 2019.

Chris Jones (Redshirt Senior)

2019 Projection: Fifth-Team (Z)
2018 Statistics: Did Not Play

Jones came to Maryland from Iowa Western Community College in 2016, and has yet to see the field. His best chance for playing time this season will likely come on special teams.

I have projected Jones to serve as the team’s fifth-string flanker in 2019.

Dino Tomlin (Freshman)

2019 Projection: Redshirt
2018 Statistics (High School): N/A

Tomlin committed to Maryland in early November when the team was still without a permanent head coach, but stayed on when Locksley was hired and signed his letter of intent in December. Generally thought to be an underrated 3-star recruit, he chose the Terrapins over other offers from Iowa State, Pittsburgh, and a number of Ivy League schools. He’s the son of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and should fit well as a slot receiver in Montgomery’s offense.

I have projected Tomlin to redshirt during the 2019 season. He could see action in a few games without burning his redshirt, but will have a better chance to compete for playing time next season once Turner has graduated.

Zack Kiesel
Zack Kiesel

Terps Analyst

Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: [email protected].

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