Terps Football: 2020 Season Preview – Wide Receivers

With the hire of head coach Michael Locksley, many people expected a rejuvenation of what had been a dormant passing attack for the Terrapins for most of the last decade. Unfortunately, that simply wasn’t the case in his first season at the helm in College Park. Dontay Demus, Jr. was the only receiver on the roster to eclipse 250 yards and catch multiple touchdowns. There’s renewed optimism for the wide receiving corps in 2020 however, due to both anticipated improvements at the quarterback position and an infusion of talent at the wide receiver position.

This is the third in a series of articles previewing Maryland football’s 2020 season on a position-by-position basis. Be sure to check in regularly, and give your thoughts on my projections at the link below.

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

The Big Three (Questions)

Who steps up to compliment Demus, Jr.?
Last season, it was a one-man show at the wide receiver position with Demus, Jr. doing it all for the Terrapins. He should get plenty of help this season though, with Jeshaun Jones returning from injury and the addition of 5-star recruit Rakim Jarrett. This may be the most talented receiving corps in College Park since the 2014 lineup of Stefon Diggs, Deon Long, and Marcus Leak.

How much does Jarrett contribute?
Speaking of Jarrett, the Terrapins have high hopes for the 5-star freshman they poached away from LSU. He has the talent to play all over the field, and I’ve projected him to play a Diggs-esque role in Maryland’s offense. Expect to see him featured early and often.

Will we see more wideouts on the field?
In 2019 the Terrapins boasted two very talented tight ends in Tyler Mabry and Chigoziem Okonkwo, as well as a large stable of running backs. Both of those positions have thinned out quite a bit this season, which should lead to more opportunities for the team’s corps of wide receivers.

Dontay Demus, Jr. (Junior)

2020 Projection: Starter (X)
2019 Statistics: 41 receptions, 625 yds (15.2 ypr), 6 TD; 1 carry, 4 yds (4.0 ypc), 0 TD

When Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury during summer camp last year, Demus, Jr. was forced to take up the torch as Maryland’s #1 receiver. He didn’t disappoint, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. He surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark in two games (Howard and Purdue). His excellent mixture of size and speed make him a threat from everywhere on the field, and his versatility allows offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery to use him in a number of different ways.

I’ve projected Demus, Jr. to serve as the team’s starting split-end receiver in 2020. He’ll return to this position after moving to flanker in 2019 after Jones’ injury. With the increased talent at the wide receiver position, he’ll benefit from defenses being unable to key on him each week.

Jeshaun Jones (Redshirt Sophomore)

2020 Projection: Starter (Z)
2019 Statistics: Did Not Play

Jones missed the entirety of the 2019 season with a torn ACL he suffered in summer camp. He had been set for a breakout year after an extremely impressive freshman campaign in 2018. Famously kicking off his collegiate career by catching, running for, and throwing for touchdowns in the first half of his first college game, he finished 2018 as the team’s second-leading receiver and accounted for 8 total touchdowns.

I’ve projected Jones to serve as the team’s starting flanker in 2020. This was the position he was set to play in 2019 before his injury, and he’ll likely see some playing time in the slot as well.

Rakim Jarrett (Freshman)

2020 Projection: Starter (H)
2019 Statistics (High School): 60 receptions, 950 yds (15.8 ypr), 7 TD

Jarrett comes to College Park as the team’s highest-ranked recruit since Stefon Diggs committed to Maryland in 2012. Originally committed to LSU, Locksley was able to steal him away from the defending national champions. He’s the new face of the “DMV-to-UMD” movement as a local product from St. John’s College High School in Washington, DC. He has the size and athleticism to make a massive impact as a true freshman, just as Diggs was able to do.

I’ve projected Jarrett to serve as the team’s starting slot receiver in 2020, though he’ll likely move all over the field in an attempt to get him the ball in space as much as possible.

Darryl Jones (Junior)

2020 Projection: Second-Team (X)
2019 Statistics: 9 receptions, 158 yds (17.6 ypr), 0 TD

Jones began the 2019 season as the team’s starting split end, but eventually lost the job to Brian Cobbs. He had just two catches after Week 3, and did nearly all of his damage in the team’s first two games.

I’ve projected Jones to serve as Demus, Jr.’s primary backup at split end in 2020. Despite the receiving corps being deep this season, there aren’t a ton of players who project as prototypical split ends. This works in Jones’ favor, though he’ll still receive plenty of competition for this job.

Brian Cobbs (Junior)

2020 Projection: Second-Team (Z)
2019 Statistics: 16 receptions, 243 yds (15.2 ypr), 0 TD

Despite being ranked much lower than Darryl Jones out of high school, Cobbs has had a slightly more productive collegiate career through two seasons. Among the team’s wide receivers, he finished second in receptions and receiving yards in 2019. He used his versatility to play both inside and outside, and has started five games during his Maryland career.

I’ve projected Cobbs to serve as Jeshaun Jones’ primary backup at flanker in 2020. He could also win the backup split end job depending on how the various competitions shake out during summer camp. He’ll likely see a good bit of the field despite the talent above him if he can continue to build on his success late last season.

DJ Turner (Redshirt Senior)

2020 Projection: Second-Team (H)
2019 Statistics: 4 receptions, 84 yds (21.0 ypr), 0 TD

Turner was set for a potential breakout year in 2019 before being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after the team’s Week 3 game against Temple. Unfortunately due to both injuries and off-the-field issues, he’s never played a full season during his four years in College Park. 2020 will be his last chance to make an impact before graduating.

I’ve projected Turner to serve as Jarrett’s primary backup in the slot in 2020. He’ll likely see plenty of the field in 4-wide receiver formations, and could even line up in the backfield a bit. When active, he’s dynamic with the ball in his hands. I’ve also projected him to serve as the team’s starting punt returner, a job he excelled at last season before his injury.

Carlos Carriere (Redshirt Junior)

2020 Projection: Third-Team (X)
2019 Statistics: 12 receptions, 137 yds (11.4 ypr), 1 TD

Carriere was Demus Jr.’s primary backup at the flanker position last season, and caught his lone touchdown of the year during the team’s Week 2 game against Syracuse. At 6-foot-5, he’s the tallest receiver on Maryland’s roster.

I’ve projected Carriere to serve as the team’s third-string split end in 2020, though he’ll be given every opportunity to compete with Darryl Jones for that job. With his large stature, he could be a decent red-zone weapon for Montgomery.

Isaiah Hazel (Sophomore)

2020 Projection: Third-Team (Z)
2019 Statistics: None

Hazel came to College Park last season as the team’s second-highest ranked recruit, but wasn’t able to break into the wide receiver rotation at all. The majority of his playing time in the 10 games he saw action in came on special teams.

I’ve projected Hazel to serve as the team’s third-string flanker in 2020, though he could push his way into a rotational role by outperforming Cobbs or Darryl Jones in summer camp.

DeJuan Ellis (Redshirt Sophomore)

2020 Projection: Third-Team (H)
2019 Statistics: Did Not Play

Ellis sat out last season after transferring from Virginia Tech. He attended Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA before transferring to the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD for his senior year. He was a quarterback in high school, and may very well serve as Maryland’s emergency signal-caller in 2020 due to the lack of depth at that position.

I’ve projected Ellis to serve as the team’s third-string slot receiver in 2020.

Corey Dyches (Freshman)

2020 Projection: Fourth-Team (X)
2019 Statistics (High School): 51 receptions, 1,265 yds (24.8 ypr), 19 TD

Dyches comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, MD. 247Sports ranks him as the 20th-best player from the state of Maryland in the 2020 recruiting class, and as the team’s second-best wide receiver recruit behind Jarrett. Despite some questions surrounding his decision between football and basketball, he’s officially enrolled at the school and will be ready for summer camp.

I’ve projected Dyches to serve as the team’s fourth-string split end in 2020, but with a good summer camp he could push his way into the rotation as an outside receiver.

Justin Brown (Junior)

2020 Projection: Fourth-Team (Z)
2019 Statistics: None

Brown walked onto the team as a freshman in 2018 and has only seen action in one game (2019 vs. Howard). He attended Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough, NJ and his brother plays for Indiana as a defensive lineman.

I’ve projected Brown to serve as the team’s fourth-string flanker in 2020.

Deajaun McDougle (Freshman)

2020 Projection: Fourth-Team (H)
2019 Statistics (High School): 54 receptions, 998 yds (18.5 ypr), 10 TD; 1 carry, 5 yds (5.0 ypc), 0 TD

McDougle comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, FL. 247Sports ranks him as the team’s third-best wide receiver recruit in the 2020 class, just behind Dyches.

I’ve projected McDougle to serve as the team’s fourth-string slot receiver in 2020.

Dino Tomlin (Redshirt Freshman)

2020 Projection: Fifth-Team (H)
2019 Statistics: 1 reception, 7 yds (7.0 ypr), 0 TD

Tomlin saw the field in two games last season and recorded his lone catch during the team’s game against Rutgers. Since he played in fewer than four games, he was able to count 2019 as a redshirt year.

I’ve projected Tomlin to serve as the team’s fifth-string slot receiver in 2020.

Nick DeGennaro (Freshman)

2020 Projection: Sixth-Team (H)
2019 Statistics (High School): N/A

DeGennaro comes to College Park as a 3-star recruit from the Hun School in Princeton, NJ. 247Sports ranks him as the 32nd-best player from the state of New Jersey in the 2020 class.

I’ve projected DeGennaro to serve as the team’s sixth-string slot receiver in 2020.