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Hoosier Huddle’s first glance series continues with the Hoosiers Week 10 matchup against the Maryland Terrapins. The Hoosiers are 8-5 all-time against the Terrapins and are looking to have a repeat of their 42-28 win in 2024.
Week 10: Maryland Terrapins
Date & Time: November 1, TBA
Venue: SECU Stadium, College Park, MD
TV: TBA
Terrapins at a Glance
Head Coach: Mike Locksley
Record at Maryland: 33-41
Overall Record: 35-67
Last Season: 4-8 (1-8), 17th in Big Ten
Terrapins Returning Leaders
Passing: No leading passers returning
Rushing: Nolan Ray – 374 Yards on 75 Carries and 2 TDs
Receiving: Octavian Smith Jr. (WR) – 30 Catches for 315 Yards and 2 TDs.
Tackles: Daniel Wingate (LB) – 50 Tackles (30 Solo), 6.5 Tackles for Loss
Terrapins Preseason Predictions
Athlon: 17th in Big Ten
Lindy’s: 48th Nationally
Phil Steele: 72nd Nationally
SP+: 70th Nationally
Impact Newcomers for the Terrapins
- Justyn Martin, QB, Transfer from UCLA
- Jalil Farooq, WR, Transfer from Oklahoma
- Jamare Glasker, DB, Transfer from Wake Forest
- Joel Starlings, NT, Transfer from North Carolina
Biggest Questions Facing The Terrapins
- Who is QB1?
- Can the Terrapins find some offensive rhythm in 2025?
- How will the new-look defense perform in 2025?
Program Preview
The 2024 football season is one that Mike Locksley and the Maryland faithful would like to forget. After three straight years of 7+ wins and bowl game victories, the Terrapins experienced a sharp drop-off in production in 2024, winning just a single Big Ten game against USC and ending the season 4-8.
One of the biggest reasons for the drop-off was the lack of rhythm or production on the offensive side of the ball. A large part of this was the scheme utilized by OC Josh Gattis, who heavily favored the run game as a way to open up the passing game. While this may have worked at Gattis’ previous tenures at Michigan and Alabama, Maryland has long since been an air attack school, and the scheme just wasn’t the right fit for the Terrapins.
Gattis was let go mid-season and has since been replaced by another former Michigan coordinator; Pep Hamilton. Hamilton, a longtime Harbaugh assistant with extensive experience at both the FBS and NFL levels, is seen as a “quarterback whisperer” and looks to rejuvenate the Terrapin passing attack.
Maryland’s defense was a bright spot in recent years, consistently developing 3-star recruits into NFL-level talent. Unfortunately for the Terrapins, defensive coordinator Brian Williams left the program to become the DC at Jacksonville State. To replace Williams, Maryland has hired UNC defensive line coach Ted Monachino, a veteran coach who spent 16 years in the NFL.
Offensive Preview
As stated above, offensive woes were the downfall of the Terrapins in 2024, particularly with regard to quarterback play, as Maryland is still searching for their permanent replacement for Taulia Tagovailoa, who graduated in 2023. Billy Edwards Jr. was the man under center for the Terrapins in 2024, and while he showed flashes of greatness, he was never really able to put it all together. Edwards transferred out following the season and was quickly followed by the majority of the QB room, leaving only redshirt freshman Khristian Martin.
The Terrapins quickly re-upped by bringing in the son of OC Pep Hamilton, Jackson Hamilton, UCLA transfer Justyn Martin, and a talented 4-star recruit in Malik Washington. While it is a tall task for a true freshman to start in the Big Ten, it’s clear that Washington has the athletic ability to succeed.
The QB battle heading into the season will likely be between Washington and Martin, and if I had to bet on a starter for Day 1, I’d put my money on Martin, just given his experience and the fact that it gives Washington the ability to redshirt. But given the immense pressure Coach Locksley is under, don’t be surprised if he rushes his prized recruit into a starting spot early.
Regardless of who is under center for the Terrapins in 2025, they will have several weapons in the passing game. While Maryland loses top receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather to the NFL, they retain their surehanded slot receiver, Octavian Smith Jr. Smith had 30 catches for 315 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 and looks to have an increased role in 2025. In addition to Smith, the Terrapins have added a pair of talented SEC receivers in Jalil Farooq from Oklahoma and Kaleb Webb from Tennessee.
Turning to the rushing game, Hoosiers fans are likely very familiar with Maryland running back Roman Hemby, who transferred to Indiana following the 2024 season. With the departure of Hemby, sophomore running back Nolan Ray will get the bulk of the carries in 2025. Ray had 75 carries for 374 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 and looks to build upon this next season.
Defensive Preview
The defense faces perhaps the tallest task as the departure of DC Brian Williams has caused a mass exodus, forcing the Terrapins to replace almost their entire two-deep defense.
Along the defensive line, the Terps have brought in 5 transfers, including a trio of experienced FCS transfers in Eyan Thomas, Edwin Moore, and Sedrick Smith, and a duo of talented FBS transfers in Joel Starlings and Dimitry Nicolas. Time will tell how well these newcomers mesh together in the trenches of the Big Ten, but one thing is for certain: the Terps will need at least one of these transfers to step up as a leader on the line this season.
Moving on to the linebacking corps, where Maryland returns two key players in ILB Daniel Wingate and OLB Neeo Avery. Wingate is Maryland’s leading returning tackler, tallying 50 tackles (30 solo) and 6.5 tackles for loss. Avery is a highly touted 4-star recruit who tore his ACL but is looking to bounce back in 2025.
The Terrapin secondary has been the jewel of their defense for the past couple of years, with guys like Deonte Banks and Darnell Savage going in the first round of their respective NFL Drafts. Heading into 2025, the Terps look to continue the legacy of great secondary play. Maryland returns starting free safety Lavain Scruggs, who had 43 total tackles (24 solo) and an interception in 2024. In addition to Scruggs, Maryland also brought in transfer Jamare Glasker from Wake Forest. Glasker was the Deacons CB1 in 2024, totaling 37 tackles (33 solo) and an interception.
Ultimately, the defense remains the biggest question mark on this Maryland team. Time will tell both how these transfers will mesh together and how quickly they will pick up Ted Monachino’s new scheme, but I would expect there to be some growing pains.
Special Teams Preview
The Maryland special teams unit was one of the few spots on this team where a starter did not transfer out. Led by veteran coordinator Andre Powell, who returns for a second tenure with Maryland, the Terps return punter Bryce McFerson, who averaged 45.1 yards per punt, ranking 5th in the Big Ten. While starting kicker Jack Howes transferred out, junior Gavin Marshall out of Frisco, Texas, seems more than capable of taking over the reins. The Terps also lose dynamite kick returner Braden Wisloski to the transfer portal, so look for one of the new transfers to take over kick returning duties.
2025 FIRST GLANCE PREVIEWS
Week One: Old Dominion
Week Two: Kennesaw State
Week Three: Indiana State
Week Four: Illinois Fighting Illini
Week Five: Iowa Hawkeyes
Week Seven: Oregon Ducks
Week Eight: Michigan State Spartans
Week Nine: UCLA Bruins