A few weeks ago, I looked back at the Maryland Terrapins’ 2019 season and reviewed what we saw from the team in head coach Michael Locksley’s first year at the helm. After numerous departures from the squad and quite a few additions to the 2020 recruiting class, it’s time to take an early look ahead to next season.
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The Schedule
9/5: vs. Towson
9/12: vs. Northern Illinois
9/19: at West Virginia
10/3: vs. Minnesota
10/10: at Indiana
10/17: at Northwestern
10/24: vs. Wisconsin
10/31: vs. Rutgers
11/7: at Michigan
11/14: vs. Ohio State
11/21: at Penn State
11/28: vs. Michigan State
As is typical for Maryland, they’ll play three non-conference games to begin the season, with a bye week before beginning conference play. As is also typical, they’ll run the gauntlet of Big Ten Conference blue bloods in November to finish the year.
The non-conference schedule is highlighted by a trip to Morgantown, WV to face the Mountaineers. This former rivalry hasn’t been played since 2015, but is part of a home-and-home series that will conclude next season in College Park.
The Terrapins will play out-of-division games against Minnesota, Northwestern, and Wisconsin in 2020. This will be the team’s first trip to Evanston, IL since they joined the conference.
The Offense
QB: 1. Josh Jackson OR Lance LeGendre
RB: 1. Tayon Fleet-Davis, 2. Jake Funk
WR-X: 1. Dontay Demus, Jr., 2. Darryl Jones
WR-Z: 1. Jeshaun Jones, 2. Isaiah Hazel
WR-H: 1. Rakim Jarrett, 2. DJ Turner
TE: 1. Chigoziem Okonkwo, 2. Malik Jackson
LT: 1. Jaelyn Duncan, 2. TJ Bradley
LG: 1. Austin Fontaine, 2. Johari Branch
C: 1. Johnny Jordan, 2. Tyler Hamilton
RG: 1. Evan Gregory, 2. Marcus Finger
RT: 1. Marcus Minor, 2. Spencer Anderson
The two biggest question marks for offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery’s unit will be how to replace the team’s top two running backs from 2019 and who will step up at the quarterback position.
Anthony McFarland, Jr. and Javon Leake combined for over 1,500 total offensive yards and 17 touchdowns last season. They accounted for 66% of the Terrapins’ rushing yards and only missed one game between them. Replacing them will be a tall order, as only two running backs on the roster will return in 2020, each of them with their own issues. Tayon Fleet-Davis saw time in 10 games last year, but missed the last two due to legal issues stemming from a DUI charge. Jake Funk is recovering after his second season-ending knee injury in two years, and Lorenzo Harrison III announced he’ll be retiring from football after suffering similar injuries. Fortunately for Montgomery, he’ll gain two talented freshmen in the 2020 recruiting class, as Peny Boone and Isaiah Jacobs will join the squad.
The quarterback position is typically a revolving door of mediocrity in College Park, and 2019 was no different. Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson was unstoppable through the first two weeks of the season, but finished the year with a completion percentage below 50% and just over 1,000 yards passing. Tyrrell Pigrome, Tyler DeSue, and Lance LeGendre all saw playing time, and the competition between Jackson, DeSue, and LeGendre is expected to be wide open in the spring. The primary question for Montgomery is likely whether or not the redshirt freshman LeGendre is ready to take over the offense. If he is, he’ll be the starter. If he isn’t, it may well be Jackson for the second year in a row.
The Defense
DE: 1. Lawtez Rogers, 2. Tyler Baylor
NT: 1. Ami Finau, 2. Anthony Booker, Jr.
DT: 1. Sam Okuayinonu, 2. Mosiah Nasili-Kite
SLB: 1. Shaq Smith, 2. Ahmad McCullough
MLB: 1. Chance Campbell, 2. TJ Kautai
WLB: 1. Ayinde Eley, 2. Ruben Hyppolite II
JACK: 1. Durell Nchami, 2. Deshawn Holt
FCB: 1. Kenny Bennett, 2. Jakorian Bennett
BCB: 1. Deonte Banks, 2. Vincent Flythe
FS: 1. Antwaine Richardson, 2. Jordan Mosley
SS: 1. Nick Cross, 2. Deon Jones
With a number of departures up and down the depth chart, defensive coordinator Jon Hoke will be relying on a number of young players at key positions. As was the case last season, defensive line depth is a primary concern. Also of concern is the lack of experience at the cornerback position.
Before last season, the Terrapins had a number of defensive linemen either transfer out of the program or move to the offensive side of the ball. It left the defensive line with very little depth and forced many young players into action. This year will be more of the same, as even more players graduated and transferred out of the program. The unit will be assisted by the presence of two transfers from Independence Community College, Ami Finau and Mosiah Nasili-Kite. Both are in line to receive plenty of playing time and compete for starting jobs immediately.
At the cornerback position, Maryland loses both of its starters from last season in Tino Ellis and Marcus Lewis. They also lose starting nickel cornerback Antoine Brooks, Jr. Projected starters Kenny Bennett and Deonte Banks combined for 26 tackles last season, and Banks stepped in as a starter for the final 8 games of the season when Ellis went down with an upper body injury.
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: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.