Before jumping into predictions for Maryland’s 2026 season, it’s worth stepping back to compare this roster to the one that took the field a year ago. Mike Locksley and his staff didn’t overhaul the roster after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Instead, they leaned on continuity, supplementing returning talent with targeted transfer portal additions. This team will largely be defined by the development of a talented sophomore class and whether several key veterans improve.

So how does each position group compare to last season? Here’s our breakdown.

Quarterback: Better

This remains the easiest group to label, though not because of depth.

Last season, Maryland handed the offense to true freshman Malik Washington. There were rough stretches, but there were also enough flashes to suggest the Terps had found a long-term answer at the position.

Washington enters his second season as the unquestioned starter with a full year of Big Ten experience. While he’s adjusting to Clint Trickett’s new offensive system, he now has a much better understanding of what Big Ten defenses are trying to do against him, giving him a stronger foundation entering year two.

The depth behind him isn’t as strong as it was a year ago. Last season, Washington faced legitimate competition from Justyn Martin and Khristian Martin throughout camp, giving Maryland three quarterbacks it felt comfortable playing. This fall, Cardell Williams is the only reserve with meaningful college experience after starting games at both Tulsa and Sacramento State.

Freshman Nathan Bernhard, whom Maryland flipped from Appalachian State, is an intriguing developmental prospect. At 6-foot-5, he has excellent physical tools, but he’s still raw and likely needs time before competing for meaningful snaps.

This group earns a “Better” designation entirely because of Washington’s projected second-year jump.

Running Back: About the Same

Maryland returns its leading rusher in DeJuan Williams, but the room still feels more like a collection of possibilities than proven production.

Williams developed into one of Maryland’s better receiving threats last season, but he never consistently established himself as an every-down runner between the tackles. If the Terps are going to field a more balanced offense in 2026, Williams needs to make a sizable jump as a ball carrier.

The Terps added Harry Dalton from USC and Terrez Worthy from Temple to bolster the depth chart.

Dalton is particularly intriguing. He had a decorated high school career in Virginia and looks the part physically. While unproven at the college level, he appears capable of carving out a role as Maryland’s short-yardage and goal-line back.

Worthy brings experience from his time at Temple, though he projects more as quality depth than a featured option.

There’s more depth than last season, but until someone consistently complements Williams, this group feels largely unchanged.

Wide Receiver: Worse

There’s no denying how much production Maryland must replace.

Shaleak Knotts, Jalil Farooq and Octavian Smith Jr. accounted for a significant portion of the Terps’ passing attack, and replacing that trio won’t be easy.

Still, there are reasons to believe this group could become more reliable.

One of the biggest issues plaguing Maryland’s offense last season was inconsistency catching the football. Too many drops killed drives and stalled momentum.

Chris Durr Jr., a transfer from Wyoming, built a reputation as a dependable, sure-handed receiver and should quickly become one of Washington’s most trusted targets.

Old Dominion transfer Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding appears capable of replacing at least some of the vertical explosiveness Maryland loses with Knotts’ departure, giving the offense a legitimate deep threat.

Junior college addition Ejani Shakir provides another option, but like several others in the room, he still has to prove himself against Big Ten competition.

There’s upside here, but significantly less proven production.

Tight End: Better

Dorian Fleming may be one of the most important variables on Maryland’s offense this season.

The athletic tight end showed his potential early last year before his production tapered off. The skill set has never been in question, and if Fleming becomes more consistent, he could develop into Washington’s favorite target in Trickett’s offense.

Maryland also welcomed back Preston Howard after he spent last season at Auburn. Howard brings experience and versatility, giving the Terps another option who can line up in multiple spots and contribute as both a receiver and blocker.

AJ Szymanski returns as a dependable in-line blocker and should continue to play an important role in the run game and pass protection. Behind the veteran trio, JT Taggart and Javonte Williams offer receiving upside. Both have athletic traits that make them interesting developmental pieces, though they’ll need time before they’re counted on consistently.

Maryland enters the season with its deepest and most versatile tight end room in several years.

Offensive Line: About the Same

This remains one of the roster’s toughest groups to evaluate.

Maryland loses both starters from the right side of last year’s line, with Alan Herron graduating and Aliou Bah transferring to LSU.

Isaiah Wright is expected to slide over to right tackle, Texas State transfer Tellek Lockette looks poised to start at right guard, and Ryan Howerton currently holds the edge at left guard.

The constants are encouraging. Center Michael Hershey anchors the group and has quietly begun generating NFL buzz, while left tackle Rahtrel Perry returns after an outstanding season in pass protection.

Maryland’s line did an excellent job protecting Washington last season. The next challenge is maintaining that level of pass protection while creating more running lanes after an inconsistent 2025 rushing attack.

Jaylen Gilchrist’s return from injury and Amory Hills’ offseason development give the unit additional upside, but there are enough moving pieces to make this group difficult to project.

Defensive Line: About the Same

Few position groups carry as many unknowns.

Maryland returns Eyan Thomas after a productive first season in College Park and hopes he’ll build on that progress.

The Terps must also replace veteran starter Cam Rice while absorbing arguably their biggest portal loss in Dillan Fontus, who transferred to Syracuse after becoming an important interior contributor.

To address those departures, Maryland turned to the portal, bringing back Lavon Johnson after a season at Texas, landing former Under Armour All-American Derrick LeBlanc from UCF and adding Washington twins Armon and Jayvon Parker.

There’s plenty to like about the newcomers, but much of the optimism is projection. Until they prove they can replace what Rice and Fontus provided, it’s difficult to label this group an upgrade.

Linebacker: About the Same

Continuity is the strength of this room.

Daniel Wingate returns after leading the team in tackles last season, while Trey Reddick gives Maryland another experienced presence in the middle of the defense.

CJ Smith also appears poised to build on a promising freshman season.

The Terps added Stephen Dean III from VMI, who should provide depth and experience to the rotation.

Maryland knows what it’s getting from its top linebackers, but there isn’t enough change at the top of the room to call it a clear upgrade.

Cornerback: Better

This room has undergone significant turnover.

Maryland lost La’Khi Roland and Braydon Lee to Arkansas, while Kevyn Humes transferred to Rutgers.

The biggest addition is Boston College transfer Amari Jackson, whose NFL-caliber traits immediately make this room more talented at the top.

Jamare Glasker also returns after emerging as one of Maryland’s top playmakers in the secondary last season.

The biggest question is returning starter Dontay Joyner. Joyner was recently released from jail following his offseason legal situation, but it remains unclear what discipline, if any, he’ll face from the program.

Behind the projected starters, Judah Jenkins has looked impressive returning from injury and should factor into the rotation, as should Jayden Shipps.

The freshman class brings talent as well. Darrell Carey, Sean Johnson and Hakim Satterwhite all have the ability to earn snaps early in their careers.

Despite the departures, this room appears deeper and more talented entering 2026.

Specialists: Better

This is one of the quieter groups on the roster, but it has a chance to make one of the biggest jumps.

It starts with Bryce McFerson, who returns after establishing himself as one of the Big Ten’s premier punters. Entering his senior season, McFerson should again rank among the nation’s best, giving Maryland a valuable field-position weapon.

Sean O’Haire also returns after a dependable first season as Maryland’s kicker. He won’t wow anyone with leg strength, but he was remarkably consistent, converting 21 of 24 field-goal attempts, including 5-for-5 from 40 to 49 yards. Whenever the Terps crossed midfield, O’Haire gave the staff confidence they could come away with points.

The biggest issue came on kickoffs. Maryland struggled in kickoff coverage last season, largely because it lacked a kicker who could consistently reach the end zone for touchbacks. Too often, opponents returned kicks and started drives with favorable field position, putting additional stress on the coverage unit.

To address that weakness, the Terps signed freshman Eli Fulcher, one of the nation’s top kickoff specialists coming out of high school. Fulcher posted an 84.4 percent touchback rate during his prep career and appears poised to take over kickoff duties immediately, allowing O’Haire to focus on field goals and extra points.

Perhaps the biggest offseason addition wasn’t a player at all. Mike Locksley brought back former assistant Matt Barnes to oversee special teams, and one of his primary objectives will be shoring up a unit that too often cost the Terps field position last season.

If Maryland’s special teams can tilt field position in its favor, the Terps will be in much better shape in 2026 than they were a year ago.