After consecutive 4-8 seasons, Maryland football is in dire need of a turnaround. The 2025 season started with promise but ended with a string of losses, leaving plenty of questions for 2026.
The most pressing? Whether Mike Locksley's top recruit can meet expectations.
Maryland coach Mike Locksley scored big by signing five-star recruit Zion Elee, the highest-rated in the school's history. Elee, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, had an impressive senior year at St.
Frances with 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. The question is whether he can immediately make an impact or if the college game's speed will challenge him.
Elee joins a promising group of young pass-rushers, including freshman All-Americans Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis, who are seen as top NFL prospects. This trio could form a formidable defensive front, crucial for a team eager to improve on last season's record.
But Elee isn't the only storyline. Quarterback Malik Washington's progression is equally critical. In his second season as a starter, will he overcome the inconsistencies of his freshman year and fulfill the potential that made him Maryland's highest-rated quarterback in years?
Tom Fornelli of CBSSports ranks Washington as the ninth-best quarterback in the Big Ten for the upcoming season. Despite last season's challenges, Washington was a bright spot, and his return is pivotal for Maryland's hopes in 2026. If he can find his rhythm and his receivers hold onto the ball, he could emerge as one of the league's standout quarterbacks.
As the Terps gear up for the new season, all eyes will be on these key players. If they deliver, Maryland might just turn the corner and make some noise in the Big Ten.