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Maryland is entering Year 3 of the Mike Locksley era, and it has some holes to fill as the Terps look to improve in 2021.
Locksley’s second campaign in College Park was full of highs and lows, but the potential is there for a big jump next season. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is returning, and Maryland finalized a top-20 recruiting class earlier this month.
With that being said, here are three big positions Maryland will need to address this fall.
Linebacker: Ruben Hyppolite II replacing Chance Campbell
The Terps will need to replace one of their best defensive players next season — linebacker Chance Campbell. He finished last season with a team-high 43 tackles, but decided to transfer to Ole Miss following the 2020 season.
He’s likely to be replaced by Ruben Hyppolite II, who was a 4-star recruit in the 2020 class. According to 247Sports Composite rankings, he was the No. 17 overall OLB and the No. 254 overall player in the class.
He has big shoes to fill, but the pedigree is there. Even as a true freshman, he was listed as Campbell’s backup on the depth chart.
Running back: Peny Boone replacing Jake Funk
Maryland’s Jake Funk was one of the most underrated players in the Big Ten last season, but he moved on from the program this offseason. Despite playing just five games in 2020, Funk posted 516 yards on an astounding 8.6 yards per carry.
That production will be tough to replicate, but Maryland has a good option in Boone. He was third on the team in rushing last season with 86 yards on 19 carries. He was a 4-star prospect in 2020 recruiting class and should be considered the favorite to win the starting job.
However, Maryland could also turn to Isaiah Jacobs or Tayon Fleet-Davis. Both received double digit carries last season and showed promise. Both Jacobs and Fleet-Davis were 3-star prospects.
Backup quarterback: Reece Udinski replacing Lance LeGendre
Lance LeGendre opted to transfer from Maryland this season, eventually landing at Louisiana. That left an important role to fill behind starter Taulia Tagovailoa, and coach Mike Locksley found an interesting candidate.
The Terps signed Virginia Military Institute transfer Reece Udinski to join the quarterback room alongside Tagovailoa. Udinski was a star at VMI, twice setting the school record for passing yards.
Interested Maryland fans can get a sneak peak in the coming weeks, as he still intends to play for VMI during its spring season in 2021.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.