Young Terps Look to Exceed Expectations

Thanks to a roster full of young talent, there is optimism that Maryland Football is about to turn a corner. Returning to bowl eligibility is the minimum expectation, but within the program, the belief is that the Terrapins are capable of competing for much more.

“We feel really good about the depth that we've been able to create. We feel that the tough times are behind us now,” said head coach Mike Locksley at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover.

Locksley took over the Maryland program after winning the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach for Alabama in 2018. Since taking over, he’s led the program to three bowl appearances, all of which resulted in wins. That three-year streak started in 2021 and ended in 2023, but Locksley believes another streak is set to begin with a group gaining experience.  

“Being able to keep 71% of production from a really talented young team has helped us have quite a bit of an expectation going into this year that we'll be able to get this program back to where we all want it to be,” Locksley said. “We have a group of guys that know the system; they know how we like to do things.”

With a slew of talent returning to the roster, Locksley and his staff enter 2026 with an opportunity — and an expectation — to put Maryland back in the bowl picture and reestablish the Terrapins as a competitive force in the Big Ten.  

Malik Washington Ready for Year Two

Sophomore quarterback and former four-star local Maryland product Malik Washington is back for his second year as the starter. As a true freshman, Washington was thrust into action from the get-go, throwing for 2,963 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding another 303 yards and four scores with his legs.

Washington seems to have all the intangibles it takes to be a winning quarterback at the collegiate level and now he’s looking to elevate his game. The sophomore believes the mental aspect of the game will be vital in his future success.

“Understanding the pre-snap picture and what it can show me post-snap [has been important],” Washington said. “Being able to play the game before the game, if that makes sense, the game within the game.”

Washington will have more weapons at his disposal for the upcoming season, as well as an offensive line that looks to replicate their pass protection success from a year ago.

The Terrapins went to the transfer portal to get former USC running back Harry Dalton III, as well as wide receiver Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding from Old Dominion. These two should provide a boost for an offense that ranked 13^th in the conference in points per game a year ago.

Washington also said that the biggest trait he’s developed is becoming more of a vocal leader for the team as a whole.

“Being able to connect with dudes all over the locker room from all walks of life [is what makes a leader],” Washington said. 

Excited for Elee

After landing Washington in the 2024 recruiting cycle, the Terrapins proved they could continue attracting elite talent by signing another in-state prize in five-star edge rusher Zion Elee. Ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the country by ESPN and Maryland’s top recruit of all time, Elee arrives in College Park with expectations of making an immediate impact. 

Elee capped off high school with 12 sacks and four forced fumbles senior year before showcasing his talent on the national stage at the Under Armour All-America Game, where he recorded a sack and forced another fumble. His combination of athleticism and explosiveness has already drawn rave reviews from teammates, who believe the freshman has the ability to contribute right away.  Locksley told the media that Elee is everything he was expected to be.  

“He is as advertised,” Locksley said. “I think the thing that has surprised me most is how he's been able to assimilate himself with [veteran players].”  

Senior linebacker and team leader Daniel Wingate applauded Elee’s eagerness to learn.  

“[Elee has] been able to learn, just taking in coaching from anybody,” Wingate said. “He tries to get better each day, and that's something that’s very inspiring to see a freshman come in and do.”  

Wingate finished his junior season with 102 total tackles and 1.5 sacks and will be important to the overall success of the unit in 2026.

With Elee arriving on campus and Washington entering his second season, Maryland appears to have cornerstone pieces on both sides of the ball for the future. 2026 will give the Terrapins an opportunity to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten. 

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