Maryland football had been riding high this offseason, stacking win after win in the transfer portal - not by bringing in new faces, but by keeping key ones from leaving. That streak finally hit a snag on Saturday, when sophomore cornerback La’khi Roland announced he’s entering the transfer portal.
And this isn’t just any departure. Roland was one of the Terps’ top playmakers on defense this season.
A native of Conley, Georgia, he tied for the team lead in interceptions with three and delivered one of the most electric moments of Maryland’s year - a 100-yard pick-six against Towson, the first of its kind by a Maryland player since 1962. His performance wasn’t just flashy, it was elite.
Pro Football Focus graded him at 86.4, the third-highest mark among cornerbacks nationally.
Roland’s exit puts a dent in what had otherwise been a near-perfect offseason for head coach Mike Locksley. Maryland had already secured the return of several cornerstone players - edge rusher Malik Washington, linebacker Zahir Mathis, and defensive back Sidney Stewart - all of whom could’ve drawn serious attention in the portal. Another starting corner, Dontay Joyner, also reaffirmed his commitment to the program.
But Roland’s departure thins out a position group that had been one of Maryland’s strengths. Kevyn Humes, another contributor at corner, is reportedly weighing his own portal decision. And while Maryland still awaits word from Jamare Glasker - who tied Roland in picks this season - the Terps may need to lean more heavily on young corners like Braydon Lee and Jayden Shipps in 2025.
Roland came to Maryland as a three-star recruit in the 2024 class, choosing the Terps over offers from Boston College, Louisville, and Colorado. He quickly developed into a difference-maker, and his growth this past season made him one of the most valuable defenders on the roster.
While the transfer portal officially opens for a two-week window on January 2, players can announce their intentions at any time. Roland is the first significant contributor to leave Maryland this offseason. Prior to his announcement, the only players to hit the portal were backups - including quarterbacks Justyn Martyn and Khristian Martin, defensive back Shamari McIntosh, defensive end Neeo Avery, and wideout Jamari Wonson-Powell.
For Locksley, the stakes are high heading into next season. After back-to-back 4-8 campaigns, 2025 feels like a make-or-break year.
Athletic director Jim Smith has publicly backed Locksley for an eighth season, and with that backing comes a promise: more resources to compete in the portal. In the past, Maryland has been outspent by much of the Big Ten.
That’s expected to change.
If Maryland is going to climb out of the bottom half of the conference, it’ll need to hold onto its core and add impact talent - especially on defense. Losing a player like Roland hurts, no question. But the Terps still have time, and now, a bit more flexibility, to make some moves of their own.