Maryland football is reloading in a big way this offseason, and Monday marks a major step in that process. Head coach Mike Locksley and his staff are set to welcome a fresh wave of talent to campus-both from the high school ranks and the transfer portal-as the Terps continue shaping their 2026 roster.
Seven transfer additions are officially enrolling, bringing experience and depth to key positions across the board. Among the headliners is tight end Preston Howard, who adds another layer to Maryland’s passing game. He’s expected to complement Dorian Fleming in two-tight-end sets, giving quarterback Malik Washington more flexibility and options in the middle of the field.
At wide receiver, Na’eem Gladding and Chris Durr Jr. arrive with the opportunity to make an immediate impact. With some turnover in the receiver room, both players will be counted on to step into prominent roles. It’s early, but chemistry with Washington will be critical-and that process starts now as winter workouts begin.
Defensively, the Terps are plugging holes with a mix of returning and new faces. Defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc is among the newcomers, while Lavon Johnson returns to College Park after a stint at Texas. Johnson, who originally committed to UNC before transferring, brings veteran experience and should bolster the interior defensive line, a unit that needed added depth heading into spring ball.
In the secondary, cornerback Amari Jackson adds much-needed experience to a group that’s top-heavy with talent but light on depth. He’ll join returning corners Dontay Joyner and Jamare Glasker in what could become a quietly solid unit if the pieces gel.
But it’s not just the portal making headlines-Maryland’s early enrollees from the 2026 recruiting class are arriving as well, and the buzz starts with five-star edge rusher Zion Elee. His recruitment was a rollercoaster, with Penn State, Auburn, South Carolina, and Texas all making strong pushes. But in the end, Elee stuck with Maryland, and now he’s set to bring serious juice to a front seven that’s shaping up to be one of the most talented the program has fielded in over a decade.
Elee leads a 12-man early enrollee group that brings a healthy mix of star power and positional depth. Quarterback Nathan Bernhard joins the fold, as does defensive tackle Cam Brickle II, safety Darrell Carey, linebacker Kaden Carter, and wide receiver Jayden Kitchens.
Offensive lineman Day’Jon Moore and cornerback Hakim Satterwhite are also on campus, along with wideout Josiah Teasley and defensive tackle Jamarcus Whyce. Tight ends Damon Hall and Javonte Williams round out the group, adding even more depth to a position that’s quickly becoming one of Maryland’s most versatile.
With the spring semester kicking off and offseason workouts underway, this influx of talent gives Maryland a strong foundation to build on. Locksley has made it clear that the goal is to keep raising the bar-and with this mix of portal veterans and high-upside freshmen, the Terps are putting themselves in position to do exactly that.