Maryland
Maryland Football: 2022 Terrapins Season Preview and Prediction
Taulia Tagovailoa and the Terrapins are ranked No. 58 in Athlon Sports activities’ Prime 131 for the 2022 school soccer season
What’s that unusual sound you hear round Maryland soccer because the 2022 season nears? It is hope. The Terrapins simply appeared of their first bowl recreation in six years and posted their first successful document since 2014. Fourth-year head coach Mike Locksley has been stacking up stable recruiting courses, and there is a legit quarterback on the helm.
Maryland hasn’t gained greater than three convention video games since that first Massive Ten season in 2014, however the Terps are nearer to stopping B1G bullies from kicking sand of their face. They are not there but — some offseason setbacks on protection have slowed the method — however there’s QB Taulia Tagovailoa, an incredible array of receivers and a few expertise on the offensive line. In fact, there’s additionally — cease us when you’ve heard this earlier than — a rebuilding protection.
The ever-optimistic Locksley, a neighborhood with purple, black and gold operating by way of his veins, is feeling ok about issues to confess, “Now we have a substantial amount of expertise on this roster. We embrace any expectations that we have created for ourselves.”
Athlon Sports activities’ School Soccer Prime 25 for 2022
Previewing Maryland’s Offense for 2022
That embracing facilities round Tagovailoa creating performs and alternatives. He set Maryland single-season information for passing yards (3,860), completions (328), completion share (69.2), passing touchdowns (26), and 300-yard passing video games (seven). He was MVP of the New Period Pinstripe Bowl with a 20-of-24 passing efficiency for 265 yards and two scores and speeding for one more 42 yards, one thing else he can do.
Tagovailoa had 11 interceptions, however 5 of them got here in a dismal loss to Iowa, and he threw simply three picks within the ultimate seven video games. His emergence below coordinator/QB coach Dan Enos was placing, as he gave the Terps quick-strike potential. He offers a trigger for optimism.
Now determine in a large receiver assembly room the place something that falls off a desk is caught. Rakim Jarrett is a speedy, sure-handed risk who led Maryland with 62 receptions, 829 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is rejoined by senior Dontay Demus Jr., misplaced for the final seven video games of 2021 with a knee harm. He was tops within the Massive Ten and eleventh nationally in receiving yards on the time. He is a key piece, a giant (6’4″, 215) goal. Florida switch Jacob Copeland, the Gators’ main receiver, was spectacular this spring. Corey Dyches appears to be like able to emerge as a difference-making tight finish.
Flippantly used Colby McDonald (60 carries for a 5.4-yard common) and bruising, 225-pound Challen Faamatau are the highest returning operating backs, however rely on true freshman Ramon Brown, a four-star prospect out of Midlothian, Va., to earn a spot.
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Jaelyn Duncan anchors a veteran line that has 4 starters again. Line coach Brian Braswell made some strikes this spring, showcasing the road’s versatility. Veterans Johari Department, Spencer Anderson and Delmar Glaze are all in new positions.
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Previewing Maryland’s Protection for 2022
Brian Williams turns into Maryland’s fourth defensive coordinator since 2019 (when you rely Kevin Steele, who was on the town for per week earlier than heading to Miami in February). Williams had on-the-job coaching, taking up play-calling from Brian Stewart after Michigan rang up 59 factors on the Terps. Williams’ protection held Massive Ten-challenged Rutgers to only 16 factors as Maryland wrapped up a bowl look, after which his unit dispatched depleted Virginia Tech within the Terps’ first bowl win since 2010.
Prime cowl nook Deonte Banks is again together with starters Jakorian Bennett and nickel Tarheeb Nonetheless. The entrance seven took successful with the switch of three high 2021 recruits: defensive finish/LB Demeioun Robinson and linebackers Terrence Lewis and Branden Jennings. Center linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II has moved to the skin, the place his velocity and dimension will assist. West Virginia switch Vandarius Cowan and four-star freshman Jaishawn Barham are newcomers able to make a direct affect.
Up entrance, veterans Ami Finau and Mosiah Nasili-Kite had 21 begins between them, and Darrell Jackson Jr. got here on so sturdy that he began the bowl recreation. The entire unit may get a lift if oft-injured hybrid finish Durell Nchami, a giant play ready to occur, can keep on the sphere. Control Greg China-Rose, too. He must play someplace.
Massive Ten Soccer Predictions for 2022
Previewing Maryland’s Specialists for 2022
Japanese Michigan switch Chad Ryland offers a critical improve at kicker after hitting 19-of-22 subject objectives final season. He brings a present streak of 17 made in a row with him. Punters Colton Spangler and Anthony Pecorella break up that job. Spangler’s 45.5-yard common was a program document, and Pecorella pinned foes contained in the 20 11 occasions.
Last Evaluation
The additional observe time that Maryland earned for the Pinstripe Bowl is a boon to a constructing program. It put Locksley’s lads forward going into the spring. There’s a bit extra confidence among the many returnees and a perception that the Terrapins can proceed their climb.
Some adjustments on the employees, significantly on protection and with new particular groups coach James Thomas Jr., have created extra vitality and will supply wanted new appears to be like as Maryland continues to possibly transfer up within the Massive Ten. The Terrapins are decided to see simply how excessive they’ll rise. That ascension facilities across the gifted Tagovailoa, the O-line and a scary-good receiving corps. Maryland will go so far as Tagovailoa’s arm and legs carry them. It will be good if he did not need to put up 40 factors per recreation to win.