Maryland’s defense took a major hit before the 2026-27 season even got rolling, and now the Terps have to redraw part of the plan on the edge.
The biggest loss is Zahir Mathis, who will miss the entire 2026-27 season after suffering an injury during fall practice yesterday, as first confirmed by the school. That leaves a real hole in a defense that was counting on him to build off what he already showed a season ago.
Mathis was one of Maryland’s most productive defenders last year, finishing with 35 total tackles - 22 solo and 13 assisted - along with eight and a half tackles for loss, six sacks, one pass breakup and three QB hits. He and Sidney Stewart combined for 13 sacks, the most on the team, and that kind of production does not replace itself.
With Mathis out, the Terps are expected to turn to incoming 2026 five-star recruit Zion Elee, who is from the DMV and chose Maryland despite interest from major Power Four programs around the country. Elee is now positioned to take Mathis’s spot and should get a heavy share of reps opposite Stewart.
Elee arrives with the kind of burst that can change how offenses have to block Maryland. His speed off the edge makes him dangerous as both a pass rusher and run defender, and he has the bend and closing quickness to finish plays in the backfield or chase runners into the flats.
Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino has to like having a player with that upside in the room, and Maryland will likely lean on him heavily as he develops into one of the top edge players in the conference.
There are other options in the mix, too. Holmes and Taylor both return after spending last season in College Park, and both should see more snaps in a variety of formations. Holmes brings athleticism and the ability to attack linemen off the edge, while Taylor offers experience after playing in 11 games last season, starting once and recording 19 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and two QB hurries.
That veteran presence matters, especially with Elee stepping into a bigger role right away. Maryland may also look at linebackers Trey Reddick and Carlton Smith on the line in pass-rushing situations to create different looks and keep offenses guessing.
For now, the Terps are left figuring out how to absorb the loss of one of their top edge threats before the season has even begun. More updates are expected as the coaching staff addresses the injury and the next steps for the room.
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