The Maryland Terrapins have won at least eight games in back-to-back seasons, something not done in College Park since before the launch of Facebook. As the program looks to carry that momentum into a new-look conference, it must do so without four-year starter Taulia Tagovailoa who left school as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in passing yards.
Mike Locksley has assembled a roster that is rich in talent at the skill-position spot to offset the loss at quarterback and continue churning out wins.
With their sights set on reaching an even higher level of success, here are Maryland’s top 10 returning players ahead of the 2024 college football season.
Maryland Terrapins Top 10 Returning Players in 2024
10) Ruben Hyppolite II, LB
The lone senior among the linebacker corps, Ruben Hyppolite II should combine a veteran presence with solid production for the upcoming season. A menace against the run, he started all 13 games in 2023 while setting career highs in total tackles (66) and tackles for loss (2.5) to earn third-team All-Big Ten honors.
While surrounded by mostly unfamiliar faces, opposing offensive coordinators will focus on Hyppolite before preparing to play Maryland in 2024.
9) Caleb Wheatland, LB
After showing flashes as a freshman in 2022, Caleb Wheatland became a consistent thorn in opponents’ sides last season as he racked up 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, both of which ranked second on the team.
A likely starter with the departure of Jaishawn Barham, Wheatland gave Terps fans a glimpse of what he’s capable of in Maryland’s bowl win over Auburn last season with a career-high five solo tackles and a sack.
8) Billy Edwards Jr., QB
As the Terrapins spend the summer searching for who will receive the baton from Tagovailoa at the quarterback spot, Billy Edwards Jr. might appear to have a leg up on the competition, considering he has playing experience in this offense — including a start in the 2023 Music City Bowl.
While his arm might suggest otherwise (only completed 10 of 30 passes last season), Edwards’ legs are undeniably a weapon, as seven of his eight touchdowns last season came on the ground.
7) Dante Trader Jr., DB
Dante Trader Jr. started all 12 games he played last season, finishing third on the team in total tackles (58) while adding two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Trader showed he was capable of making plays all over the field against Rutgers, securing a career-high 11 tackles. The safety should start alongside slot corner Glendon Miller and newcomer Jalen Huskey, a transfer from Bowling Green, to form a fearsome secondary.
6) Kaden Prather, WR
One of the receivers Maryland will be counting on no matter who is under center, Kaden Prather enjoyed a strong first season with the Terrapins after transferring from West Virginia, showing he has big-play potential whenever he gets the ball in his hands.
Prather recorded 666 yards on 42 catches, including five touchdowns (all of which came in the first six games of the season). His 15.9 yards per reception ranked third among Big Ten receivers last season.
5) Kellan Wyatt, LB
In his first season as a full-time starting linebacker, Kellan Wyatt seized the opportunity by leading Maryland in both sacks (4.5) and TFLs (6.5) in 2023. No Terrapin player disrupted more opponent plays than Wyatt did last season, as he also added 34 tackles, three quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery.
The local product out of Glen Burnie, Maryland, looks the part of a ferocious outside linebacker at 6’2″ and 262 pounds.
4) MJ Morris, QB
Assuming good health, MJ Morris likely sees more time under center than any other quarterback for Maryland this season. He arrives in College Park by way of NC State where he appeared in nine games, including seven starts, over the past two seasons.
Morris has thrown for 1,367 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, completing 58% of his passes at NC State — where he was the first true freshman to start a game since Philip Rivers in 2000.
3) Tai Felton, WR
Tai Felton led the Terrapins with six touchdown catches and ranked second with 723 receiving yards last season as a junior, both of which surpassed his totals from his freshman and sophomore years combined.
Along with Prather, Felton also averaged more than 15 yards per completion last season (15.1). That should give the Terps — and whoever emerges from their QB battle — two receivers capable of making plays down the field.
2) Glendon Miller, DB
Miller is an X-factor on the Terrapins’ defense, which is expected to be the stronger unit in 2024. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing over 200 pounds, the senior is an imposing figure who has the athleticism to play both corner and safety. While he played more than half of his snaps at slot corner last season, Miller is comfortable playing closer to the line of scrimmage, as evidenced by his 37 tackles, four interceptions, and four pass breakups.
1) Roman Hemby, RB
Given the lack of stability at quarterback, it’s hard to see Maryland achieving the success they’re capable of without Roman Hemby playing a big part in the offense. His rushing production took a step backward last year though he still surpassed the 1,000-yard mark from scrimmage for a second straight season because of his versatility in the passing game out of the backfield.
Hemby’s explosiveness and ability to sustain top-end speed in traffic will likely make him an NFL running back one day, especially if he can maintain his 5.0 yards-per-carry average for this upcoming season.
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