Mike Locksley enters his eighth season at Maryland following a 4-8 overall record and a 1-7 mark in Big Ten play in 2025. Clint Trickett takes over as offensive coordinator, while Malik Washington returns as the established starting quarterback after a productive freshman season.
Maryland had to replace several leading receivers after Shaleak Knotts, Jalil Farooq, and Octavian Smith Jr. departed, making receiver the biggest concern on offense. Even so, Kaleb Webb returns at receiver, while Old Dominion transfer Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding and Wyoming transfer Chris Durr Jr. have quickly emerged as key additions to the receiving corps. Dorian Fleming returns at tight end, while Auburn transfer Preston Howard returns to College Park, adding another experienced option at the position. DeJuan Williams also returns as Maryland’s lead running back and provides another option in the passing game out of the backfield. Update (Oct. 13): RB DeJuan Williams returned to action against Ohio State after missing time with an undisclosed injury. Up front, the offensive line returns three full-time starters in Rahtrel Perry, Isaiah Wright, and Michael Hershey, each of whom made 12 starts last season.
Ted Monachino returns as defensive coordinator, and Maryland brings back much of last season’s defensive production—seven of the Terrapins’ top eleven tacklers from 2025 return, led by linebacker Daniel Wingate. Carlton Smith and Trey Reddick also return at linebacker, while Sidney Stewart returns after 11 starts, and Eyan Thomas returns after eight. In the secondary, the Terrapins bring back Lavain Scruggs, Messiah Delhomme, and Jamare Glasker, and Boston College transfer Amari Jackson joins them.
Matt Barnes takes over as special teams coordinator. Sean O’Haire returns at placekicker, while Bryce McFerson returns at punter. Iverson Howard brings punt-return experience, while Howard and Ricardo Cooper are options at kickoff return.
Overall, Maryland enters 2026 with considerable continuity, returning 71 percent of last season’s overall production. The Terrapins are built around Washington at quarterback, three full-time starters back along the offensive line, and seven of the team’s top eleven tacklers returning on defense. Maryland also added experience at several positions through the transfer portal.