Maryland football returns to the field Saturday for its annual spring game, which will provide a first glimpse of the Terps before the 2022 season kicks off in the fall.
Last season, Maryland took a major leap as a program, going 7-6 while securing its first bowl victory since 2010. Even though the Terps lost some key players to the transfer portal and the NFL draft, they are returning a good chunk of key players to an offense that has the potential to be one of the best in the Big Ten Conference.
Here are five players to watch during Saturday’s Red-White spring game at noon at Capital One Field in College Park:
Redshirt junior QB Taulia Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa had one of the best seasons by a quarterback in Maryland history in 2021. He set the single-season record in passing yards (3,860) and completions (328) while tying former quarterback Scott Milanovich for the most passing touchdowns (26).
But more importantly, Tagovailoa, the brother of former Alabama star and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, provided much-needed stability at the position, becoming the first quarterback since C.J. Brown in 2014 to start every game.
But the Alabama transfer wasn’t flawless last season. His decision-making was an issue at times, as he often threw the ball into tight coverage. In the Terps’ 51-14 home loss to then-No. 5 Iowa, he threw five of his 11 interceptions.
The spring game will be nowhere close to the competition level Tagovailoa will face during the regular season. However, it will be interesting to see if the third-year starter shows improvement as a decision-maker while strengthening his connections with the receivers.
If Maryland wants to build off its first winning season in seven years, the Terps will need Tagovailoa to continue to make strides as a signal-caller.
Sophomore RB Colby McDonald
There were moments during McDonald’s freshman season when he showed that he could be a solid replacement for senior running back Tayon Fleet-Davis, who entered the NFL draft.
McDonald, who went to St. John’s College in Washington, rushed for 325 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 60 carries in 2021. During the Terps’ regular-season finale win over Rutgers, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound back played a key role, rushing for 99 yards on 15 attempts.
Maryland ranked 10th in the Big Ten in rushing last season (136.5 yards per game), and coach Mike Locksley said that the run game has been a “point of emphasis” in practice this spring.
“If people are going to do things to take away the ability to throw the ball, we got to be able to run efficiently,” he said. “Having a veteran [offensive line] back should be able to help us.”
Locksley wants to make strides in the run game, and McDonald is the type of player who can help lead the way.
“[Redshirt freshman] Antwain Littleton, [redshirt freshman] Roman Hemby as well as Colby McDonald continue to show their worth to us in the run game,” Locksley said. “I’m pleased with those guys.”
Freshman LB Jaishawn Barham
Barham became the top player in Maryland’s 2022 class after he surprisingly decommited from South Carolina.
Barham, a former St. Frances standout, enrolled early and looks the part of a potential impact player at 6-3, 230 pounds. He was one of the top linebackers in the 2022 recruiting class, ranking No. 10 at his position and the third-best player in Maryland, according to 247Sports.
With linebackers Branden Jennings, Demeioun Robinson and Terrence Lewis entering the transfer portal, Barham has a shot to carve out a role in the linebackers room, which also features transfer VanDarius Cowan, junior Ruben Hyppolite II and redshirt senior Fa’Najae Gotay.
Junior WR Jacob Copeland
Copeland, who transferred to Maryland after four seasons at Florida, is a complementary piece to a receiving corps that features junior Rakim Jarrett and seniors Dontay Demus Jr. and Jeshaun Jones.
Copeland, a former four-star recruit, appeared in 12 games for the Gators in 2021, catching 41 passes for 642 yards and four touchdowns, including two 100-yard games.
Locksley said Copeland is a great fit with the rest of the receivers and is not worried about a crowded room, as the fourth-year coach dealt with such a scenario when he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama.
“If you follow the history of this offense even back in Alabama when we had DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs to go along with Calvin Ridley, we always found ways to implement players of [Copeland’s] talent,” Locksley said. “I see him being another integral piece that has a tremendous role in our offensive system.”
Redshirt sophomore TE Corey Dyches
With Chigoziem Okonkwo entering the NFL draft, Dyches is expected to slide in as Maryland’s primary tight end. Dyches, who transitioned from wide receiver, appeared in 13 games (two starts) last season, totaling 19 receptions for 208 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 10.9 yards per catch.
Dyches is perhaps the most experienced player in the tight ends room that features sophomore CJ Dippre, redshirt freshman Leron Husbands and incoming freshman Preston Howard (McDonogh).
“[Dyches] is that Swiss Army knife,” Locksley said. “We moved him to tight end to complement [Okonkwo]. Definitely, a matchup issue because people [have] to figure out whether they want to treat him as a tight end or a receiver.”
Co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Mike Miller loves the group, describing the tight ends as big athletes who are smart, tough and reliable.
Dyches, a former high school basketball player who is 6-1 and 219 pounds, has the potential to see his offensive production increase in 2022 more than any other player.
RED-WHITE SPRING GAME
Saturday, noon
TV: Big Ten Network
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