With Maryland football’s season opener against UConn just three days away, Testudo Times’ editors gave their predictions for the season.
Colin McNamara, Ryan Alonardo and Matt Germack provided their picks on who they think Maryland’s most valuable players and newcomer of the year will be, as well as a bold prediction and the team’s record.
Let’s get into the predictions.
Offensive MVP
Colin’s pick: Roman Hemby
Without Taulia Tagovailoa in the mix, its unknown what Maryland’s offense will truly look like with a new face under center. In fact, we don’t even know who that new face will be yet.
Receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather are the most talented players on offense, but picking one of the two means the quarterback needs to get them the ball and an entirely new offensive line needs to hold up long enough for the quarterback to do so. As of right now, I’m not confident enough in either unit to pick a receiver.
So, I’m going with the safest pick on the board: Roman Hemby. Hemby has been Maryland’s workhorse running back over the last two seasons, and with the departure of Antwain Littleton II, he could see even more touches.
Last season, Hemby took 142 carries for 680 yards and four touchdowns, and with uncertainties littered throughout the rest of the offense, I expect Hemby to be the center of Maryland’s game plan.
Ryan’s pick: Kaden Prather
With plenty of uncertainty at the quarterback position, there’s not necessarily a slam-dunk selection as there was in the past with Tagovailoa. Whoever the new field general is will almost certainly lean on the run game, given that a healthy Hemby carries plenty of big-play ability.
However, Maryland will need to throw the ball, potentially even more than it wants to depending on how opposing defenses attack the Terps. With this in mind, the new quarterback will need a true playmaker to throw to, as well as a safety blanket. Senior wide receiver Kaden Prather fits this bill perfectly.
Coming off a season in which he racked up 42 receptions for 666 yards and five touchdowns, Prather has all the makings of a true downfield threat. Listed at 6-foot-3, he’s a quarterback’s best friend under duress. Furthermore, with Jeshaun Jones and Corey Dyches no longer on the team, it will open up even more opportunities for the lengthy target to make his mark.
Prather was recently named to the 2024 Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist and Phil Steele Preseason second team All-Big Ten.
Matt’s pick: Kaden Prather
Hemby could also contend for this spot if he returns to 2022 form. But it’s hard to envision a receiver more quarterback-friendly than Prather, and that will be crucial for Maryland’s new signal caller.
Prather stands at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds with long arms. He’s got a huge catch radius and the ability to win contested catches, something Maryland will certainly rely on as its quarterback gets used to running the offense.
Prather shined in 2023 after transferring from West Virginia, totaling 42 catches for 666 yards and five touchdowns. He could see even more redzone targets after two of the Terps’ best weapons near the endzone — Jeshaun Jones and Corey Dyches — departed this offseason. Prather also may not see much double coverage, as defenses also have to account for Tai Felton across from him.
The path is clear for Prather to eclipse his 2023 numbers comfortably.
Defensive MVP
Colin’s pick: Jordan Phillips
There has not been a defensive player on the team hyped up as much as lineman Jordan Phillips has this offseason.
“Jordan, he’s special,” defensive coordinator Brian Williams said in July. “His work ethic, his will to play hard [and] his will to be there for his teammates is unique. So, a guy like that, there is no ceiling, in my opinion. I think he can go as far as he wants to go as long as his mind and body will allow him to be at this pace.”
Not only has he been talked about as Maryland’s best defensive player by the coaches, but he proved his value last year during his first season in College Park. After transferring from Tennessee, Phillips recorded 28 tackles (14 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss in his redshirt freshman season. He also played in all 13 games, starting in 10.
While he may not put up dazzling numbers as a nose guard, he will be Maryland’s defensive anchor.
Ryan’s pick: Ruben Hyppolite II
Hyppolite, like Prather, will likely shoulder more responsibility due to departures in the position group. In this case, linebackers Jaishawn Barham and Fa’Najae Gotay are no longer with the team.
Now, the 6-foot, 240-pound commander of the middle of the field has the chance to expand on his 66 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss last year. A team captain last season, Hyppolite will not only be looking to produce heavily for himself, but he’ll also likely be directing the whole linebacker unit, and at times, the entire defense.
After being awarded third-team All-Big Ten honors last season, don’t be surprised to see him on either the first or second team come the end of this campaign.
Matt’s pick: Glendon Miller
The 6-foot-2, 206-pound defensive back plays a unique role in Maryland’s defense, playing both safety and nickelback. His versatility and athleticism earned him high praise from head coach Mike Locksley, who compared Miller to another elite safety he coached at Alabama.
“The last guy I can remember that had this skill set that you see out of Glendon is Minkah Fitzpatrick,” Locksley said. “Of all the players in the program, he’s one of the guys that I think has come the furthest … from his off the field habits to becoming a leader, a guy that’s graduated with a degree.”
Miller has the athleticism, versatility, physicality and ball skills to be a star not only at the college level, but at the NFL level. Entering his redshirt senior season, we’ll see the best Miller has to offer at this level in 2024.
Expect him to make a ton of plays in the secondary this year. If he can limit mistakes, he’ll become an indispensable piece of the Terps’ defense.
Newcomer of the Year
Colin’s pick: Brandon Jacob
Maryland did not bring in very many flashy transfers in the offseason. Outside of quarterback MJ Morris and cornerback Jalen Huskey, almost every transfer set to contribute meaningful minutes lies on the offensive line.
So, I decided to pick a freshman in safety Brandon Jacob. As a four-star, Jacob was Maryland’s highest-rated recruit in the class of 2024, positioning him, in theory, to receive the most run early on of any freshman. Pair this with the loss of long-time safety Beau Brade, and Jacob might just find his way into the starting lineup by midseason.
While safeties Dante Trader Jr. and Miller are proven and will start, Miller can play multiple possessions in the secondary, giving Williams the flexibility to put the best players on the field, regardless of position.
Jacob has also stood out during fall camp in Brade’s absence.
“I speak a lot of positive things into his life to give him that confidence, like, ‘You’re a dog kid,’ everyday just to make sure he knows,” Trader said, “because, in the end, he’s going to be one of the biggest things that comes out of here.”
Ryan’s pick: Jalen Huskey
Maryland’s secondary, typically an area of strength, is currently at a crossroads. With a bevy of transfers, graduates and NFL-hopefuls, there’s not too much consistency from last year’s unit. This lack of consistency includes Bowling Green transfer Jalen Huskey.
Huskey, a junior who stands at 6-foot-1, earned first-team All-MAC honors last season and nabbed four interceptions along the way. As it currently stands, he’s probably the No. 1 cornerback in a group that also features redshirt sophomore Perry Fisher and junior Lionell Whitaker.
This pick is predicated on Huskey following in the footsteps of the talented Terps cornerbacks of the past, including Los Angeles Charger Tarheeb Still and New York Giant Deonte Banks. Nonetheless, he’ll definitely have the chance to make a significant impact and guard a number of other programs’ top wideouts.
Matt’s pick: Josh Kaltenberger
Kaltenberger, a graduate offensive lineman, transfered from Purdue after playing 36 games for the Boilermakers from 2021-23. He’s expected to start at center, where he’ll spearhead a Maryland offensive line that’s completely overhauled from a season ago.
The center is responsible for setting protection calls and facilitating communication along the offensive line. It will be absolutely critical to the Terps’ offensive success in 2024 for Kaltenberger to play at a high level. Maryland’s new quarterback needs to be well-protected, and Kaltenberger is the most crucial piece in making that happen.
Kaltenberger is huge for a center, standing at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds. Having played in the Big Ten, an uber-physical conference known for elite line play, is a huge advantage for him to be successful from the jump in College Park.
Aliou Bah and Alan Herron transferred to Maryland as well — from Georgia and Divison II Shorter, respectively — and will also likely start on the offensive line.
Bold Prediction
Colin’s pick: MJ Morris starts six or more games.
All signs are pointing toward Billy Edwards Jr. starting at quarterback against UConn on Saturday. He’s the most familiar with the program, won a bowl game against Auburn last season and seemed to be taking the first-team reps during the portion of practice that was open to the media Tuesday. And if he starts Saturday, it’s his job to lose.
All of this is why I think this qualifies as a bold take, although I actually believe it will happen. Edwards has completed 50% (48/76) of his passes over the two seasons — while throwing four touchdowns and an interception — and just 30% (10/30) last year. He visibly struggled to connect on short- and medium-yardage throws last season as well.
Unless Edwards has made significant strides during the offseason — which is very possible if he did beat out Morris and Cameron Edge — I expect his accuracy struggles to continue and limit the offense’s potential, especially since its strength is its receivers.
If Edwards is a primary reason behind a loss to Northwestern, Indiana or Michigan State, I could see Locksley pivoting to Morris without hesitation.
Ryan’s pick: Maryland finishes the season as the Big Ten’s top-ranked defense.
Is it likely? Maybe not, given all the other staunch defensive units in the conference. However, as Locksley has previously alluded to, the defense will undoubtedly be the team’s strength.
The Terps weren’t too shabby in 2023, either. They ranked in the top-6 in tackles, top-4 in sacks and second in interceptions in the conference.
Now, this isn’t to say it’ll be easy. Maryland will probably need a lot of things to go its way, including immediate-impact transfers and freshmen in tandem with improved veteran play. However, with a few seemingly easy-win games to kick off the season, there’s no reason Williams’ unit can’t get off to a scorching start and pick up momentum heading into conference play.
Matt’s pick: Roman Hemby has over 1,500 yards from scrimmage.
Hemby had a down year last season after emerging as one of the Big Ten’s best backs in 2022. His talent was visibly there, but for whatever reason he struggled to put it all together.
Without Tagovailoa under center, Maryland will need to rely heavily on the run game. That sets up Hemby, entering his redshirt junior year, for his biggest role in the offense yet. Add on his ability as a pass-catcher in an offense that likes to dink-and-dunk, and Hemby could rack up yardage this season.
Hemby totaled 1,287 yards from scrimmage in 2022, 989 on the ground and 298 through the air. Last year that dipped down to 1,029 yards from scrimmage. If he returns to 2022 form, 1,500 yards is certainly within reach, even with Colby McDonald and Nolan Ray cutting into his workload.
Record Prediction
Colin’s pick: 7-5
Maryland’s schedule is very similar to last year’s as far as the level of competition goes, except the Terps are without Tagovailoa this season, who could at least win the easy games. With a clear downgrade at quarterback, an entirely new offensive line and no clear improvement anywhere else on the team, I believe the Terps will take a slight step back.
The start of the season should be relatively easy for Maryland. Last season, UConn won three games, Michigan State, Virginia and Indiana were each dismantled by Maryland and Villanova finished 10-3, but its still an FCS program.
The Terps could very well start 5-0 again, but its sixth game is where things could get tricky. Northwestern defied all odds last year when it won eight games following a one-win season and hazing scandal. The Wildcats have only gotten better under second-year head coach David Braun, returning most of its elite defense and solidifying the quarterback position in the transfer portal. With the Wildcats already beating Maryland last year, I expect them to do it again.
For the rest of the season, I will pick Maryland to lose against ranked opponents until it proves me wrong, and heading into the season the Terps play four (USC, Oregon, Iowa and Penn State).
That leaves two more games: Rutgers and Minnesota. While Maryland should be better than both teams, its uncertainty at quarterback and knack to lose an easy game each season gives me reason to believe it will split these games.
Ryan’s pick: 8-4
I’m optimistic about Maryland football, as I am nearly every year. While the Terps could just as easily finish 8-4, there’s also a chance they might fall to 6-6 or even miss out on a bowl game entirely.
That said, Maryland is likely to start 3-0, as they have in recent years. This time, the early wins should come against UConn, Michigan State, and Virginia — teams that shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge.
The fourth game will be against Villanova, one of the top teams in the FCS, but I still expect Maryland to dominate early and often. The schedule gets trickier afterward, with matchups against Indiana, Northwestern, USC and Minnesota. I predict the Terps will emerge with a 3-1 record from this stretch. Could this be overly optimistic? Maybe, but Indiana and Minnesota don’t look particularly strong. And given USC’s inconsistent play in 2023 under Caleb Williams, I’m not overly concerned about them either.
In the final leg of the season, Maryland will likely lose to Oregon, Iowa and Penn State, but should secure a win against Rutgers. However, if the Terps manage to pull off an upset against one of those tougher opponents, they could just as easily drop a game to Minnesota, Indiana or Rutgers.
Matt’s pick: 6-6
The Terps were 1-3 in one-score games a season ago. They didn’t show the ability to close out games in the way they should have, and that could haunt them even more without Tagovailoa under center.
Maryland will likely struggle against elite opposing offenses, as shootouts will be hard to win without high-level quarterback play. I can’t see USC, Oregon or Penn State letting their foot off the gas pedal enough for the Terps to keep up.
Virginia could be a trap game for this same reason. Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea showed a lot of promise last season and gave the Terps problems despite throwing three interceptions. Charlottesville, Va., will not be a welcoming environment for Maryland — it hasn’t played there since 2012, and Cavaliers fans will likely show up in troves to jeer their longtime rival.
Maryland should have no trouble taking care of UConn, Michigan State, Villanova and Indiana. That leaves Northwestern, Minnesota, Rutgers and Iowa. If the Terps split these games 2-2 — which I believe is the likely outcome — that leaves them with a 6-6 record, and likely without a fourth-straight bowl game.
If Edwards or Morris emerges as a true passing threat, this prediction could change. The Terps’ defense and skill position group is certainly talented enough to win more than six games.
