Maryland football opens the 2023 season with lofty expectations. At Big Ten Football Media Days in July, head coach Michael Locksley boldly said in his opening statement that the program was ready to compete for Big Ten championships.
The team now has a chance to back up Locksley’s comments for the first time in front of fans during its season opener against in-state rival Towson at SECU Stadium on Sept. 2.
“It’s important that we now have the foundation I think is necessary in the locker room with the player-driven culture that allows us to go do just those things,” Locksley said on Aug. 30.
After losing several players to the NFL this past year, the Terps still bring back plenty of talented returners on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, wide receiver Jeshaun Jones, running back Roman Hemby, linebacker Jaishawn Barham and safety Beau Brade.
The Terps were also active in the transfer portal, bringing in ten new faces (and four offensive linemen). Two of the biggest newcomers are cornerback Ja’Quan Sheppard (Cincinnati) and wide receiver Tyrese Chambers (FIU), both of whom are expected to take on big roles this season.
“You only get a first impression once,” Jones said. “… This week we want to go out there and show that we’re firing on all cylinders and we’re ready to go.”
The game has some extra meaning for Locksley because he is taking on his alma mater. On the other side, Pete Shinnick will be making his debut as Towson’s head coach, which creates some difficulties for the Terps in terms of preparation since there is no film of the Tigers in Shinnick’s system. The Terps instead have to watch film of Division II West Florida and FCS Stetson to understand Shinnick and offensive coordinator Brian Sheppard’s scheme.
Locksley had high praise for his alma mater and Shinnick.
“They are going to come in here really well-coached, really well-disciplined and will play with great effort,” Locksley said. “… It’s going to be more about what we do than what they do, and our execution has got to be at an all-time high.”
Locksley called this year’s fall camp the cleanest and most productive he has had since taking over as head coach five years ago. Seemingly, Locksley’s bold statement at Big Ten Football Media Days has united the team under a common goal.
“We did a lot more team activities trying to build a brotherhood around here,” Tagovailoa said. “A lot has to do with Ryan Davis and his strength staff the whole summer getting us to bond together, doing hard things together and to build character. So I just think [it’s] the hard work of us as a team really buying into winning championships and that starts in the offseason.”
Other Notes
— One of the biggest questions entering the season for the Terps is their offensive line. The lone returning starter from last season is DJ Glaze. Locksley was mum during his weekly news conference on who else would be part the starting offensive line. Locksley did indicate, though, that the team has eight or nine linemen who can play winning football compared to seven in 2022.
— After losing cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Jakorian Bennett to the NFL, Maryland will be leaning on others in the secondary. Starting safeties Beau Brade and Dante Trader Jr. both return for another year. Additionally, cornerback Tarheeb Still will see an increased role, while Cincinnati transfer Ja’Quan Sheppard is also expected to take on a significant role.
“Throughout the whole summer, offseason and camp we’ve been building that relationship up,” Brade said. “Off the field, while watching film, maybe just hanging out at each other’s places. But for Ja’Quan, that’s how we really got to know him … we’ve got some dawgs.”
— Locksley also revamped the coaching staff a bit, bringing in Josh Gattis as the new offensive coordinator and Kevin Sumlin as the associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. Some other new and younger coaches on this year’s staff include safeties coach Zac Spavital and running backs coach Latrell Scott.
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