On Sunday night, the Maryland Terrapins gathered at The Hotel in College Park to close the book on a rollercoaster season-one that started with real promise and ended in disappointment. But the team’s annual Awards Banquet wasn’t just about reflecting on the tough moments. It was also a night to recognize the players who stood out, stepped up, and gave fans a glimpse of what the future might hold.
Let’s rewind. Maryland came out of the gates hot, racing to a 4-0 start and looking every bit like a team ready to make noise in the Big Ten.
That momentum hit its peak in Week 5, when the Terps jumped out to a 20-0 lead over Washington. But what looked like a defining win quickly unraveled-and so did the season.
Maryland lost that game and didn’t win another, dropping eight straight to finish 4-8.
Still, for all the frustration, there were plenty of reasons to believe this program is headed in the right direction-starting with a freshman class that flashed serious upside.
Malik Washington: The Future at Quarterback
At the center of that youth movement is quarterback Malik Washington. The freshman signal-caller didn’t just hold his own-he put together one of the best debut seasons in school history.
Washington completed 273 of 473 passes for 2,963 yards and 17 touchdowns, setting multiple freshman records along the way. His performance earned him Maryland’s Offensive Player of the Year award, and perhaps more importantly, he confirmed over the weekend that he’ll be back in 2025.
That’s a major win for head coach Mike Locksley and a fan base eager for some stability under center.
Daniel Wingate: A Rock on Defense
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Daniel Wingate was the heartbeat of the defense. He finished the year with 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pick, a pass breakup, and even a touchdown.
Wingate was everywhere, week in and week out, and his leadership didn’t go unnoticed. He took home the Ray Krouse Memorial Award as the team MVP and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors-a well-deserved nod for a player who anchored a unit that fought hard even as the season slipped away.
Jalen Huskey: Lockdown in the Secondary
In the defensive backfield, Jalen Huskey was a difference-maker. The junior racked up 72 tackles, four interceptions, and a pair of pass deflections.
His ball skills and consistency earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors for the Terps and a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. Huskey gave Maryland a reliable presence on the back end, and his playmaking ability helped keep the defense competitive in some tough matchups.
Zahir Mathis and the Freshman Surge
If there was one theme to this season’s awards, it was the impact of the freshman class-and edge rusher Zahir Mathis was a big part of that. Mathis recorded 35 tackles, six sacks, and a pass deflection, bringing much-needed pressure off the edge.
He was named Maryland’s Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and also earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition. For a first-year player, that’s a statement.
Other Standouts and Award Winners
Maryland also recognized several other players who made key contributions this season:
- Freshman Offensive Player of the Year: DeJuan Williams - A young playmaker who added depth and explosiveness to the offense.
- Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year: Kellen McConnell
- Freshman Special Teams Player of the Year: Messiah Delhomme
- Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year: Nijel Cross
- Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year: Elias Johnson
- **Dr.
John E. Faber Iron Man Award**: Nijel Cross - A nod to his toughness and work ethic.
- Alvin L. Aubinoe Unsung Hero Award: *Lavain Scruggs and Octavian Smith Jr.
- Players who did the dirty work and made an impact without always grabbing headlines.
- Public Service Award: Ethan Gough and Daniel Owens - Recognizing their efforts off the field.
- James M. Tatum Memorial Award (Lineman of the Year): Sidney Stewart (defense) and Alan Herron (offense) - Key contributors in the trenches who helped set the tone up front.
Yes, the 2025 season ended on a sour note. But amid the losing streak, there were foundational pieces taking shape-young talent gaining experience, leaders emerging, and a quarterback who looks like he could be the face of the program moving forward.
The Terps have work to do this offseason. But if the growth of this year’s award winners is any indication, Maryland might be building something worth watching.