With 218 days to go before Maryland football kicks off its 2026 season, head coach Michael Locksley just made a significant move to shore up the defensive front - and he didn’t just add one big body to the trenches. He added two.
Twin brothers Armon and Jayvon Parker, both formerly with the University of Washington, have committed to Maryland. Standing at 6-foot-3 and tipping the scales at a combined average of 325 pounds, the Parkers bring size, experience, and some much-needed depth to a Terps defensive line that struggled to control the run last season.
Let’s start with Armon. He saw action in eight games in 2025 before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
In that stretch, he registered eight tackles, including one for loss, and added a sack - a solid showing in what was his first real taste of college football action. While he’s still developing, his frame and motor give Maryland a reliable rotational piece with upside.
Jayvon, meanwhile, has a bit more of a track record - though injuries have slowed his momentum. A torn Achilles in September 2024 kept him off the field for nearly two full seasons, limiting him to just one game in 2025.
But before the injury, he was flashing real potential. In four games early in the 2024 campaign, he notched 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and half a sack.
Going back further, he appeared in 21 games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, tallying nine tackles and a sack.
The Parkers chose Maryland over offers from Auburn, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and they arrive in College Park with one year of eligibility remaining. Both have already used their redshirt seasons, so this is a one-shot deal - a final chapter that could help both their careers and Maryland’s defensive identity.
And let’s be clear - the Terps need the help. In 2025, Maryland gave up 175 rushing yards per game, ranking 99th in Division I.
That’s not going to cut it, especially in a Big Ten that’s only getting more physical up front. Locksley and his staff have clearly made it a priority to bulk up the interior, and the Parkers fit that bill.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule, only Penn State and USC averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry among Maryland’s conference opponents. That gives the Terps a real opportunity to improve their defensive numbers - but only if the front four can hold its ground. The Parkers, if healthy, can be a big part of that equation.
Elsewhere around Maryland athletics:
- The top-ranked Maryland men’s lacrosse team had its season opener against No. 9 Richmond postponed.
- Maryland women’s lacrosse is grinding through preseason as it prepares for a February 6 opener.
- On the mat, Maryland wrestling is gearing up for a Friday night showdown with Rutgers.
- On the recruiting trail, Maryland football extended a scholarship offer to four-star 2027 wide receiver “Choo” Harris.
- Linebackers coach Ted Monachino made an in-home visit with 2027 prospect - and instant all-name team candidate - Blaize Battaglia.
The offseason is far from quiet in College Park, and with the Parker twins now in the fold, Maryland’s defense just got a lot more interesting.