Maryland’s offense is getting a clear identity heading into fall camp: play fast, spread it wide and let Malik Washington steer the whole thing.
At Fall Media Day, the message from offensive coordinator Clint Trickett and head coach Mike Locksley was unmistakable. The Terps want to build around tempo, spacing and a sophomore quarterback they believe can handle a bigger load. The goal is to stretch “every blade of grass,” create room across the field and turn that into explosive plays.
Washington sits at the center of it all. Trickett and Locksley both see him as more than a talented young quarterback.
Trickett said Washington is unusually sharp “between the ears,” which gives Maryland the freedom to stack more responsibility on his plate and expand what the offense can do. His arm strength matters too, especially with the wide splits Maryland wants to use, because it gives the Terps confidence he can make throws from the far hash that many quarterbacks simply can’t.
That trust comes with a plan for Washington’s next step as a sophomore. Maryland expects him to grow as a leader after being thrown into action as a true freshman, and the staff wants to use his legs more deliberately in the run game.
At the same time, he’ll be coached to protect himself better by sliding when the situation calls for it. The Terps also believe the experience he picked up in tight games last season will help him handle one-score situations with more control.
The tempo piece is a big part of the blueprint. Maryland wants to operate in the 70-90 play range, using pace to get more touches for a deep group of skill players.
But this is not just last year’s offense with a new coat of paint. The staff is also pushing for a more consistent run game, a shift away from a pass-heavy approach and toward something more balanced and physical.
That balance should be supported by one of the Big Ten’s deeper offensive rosters. Maryland is leaning into returning production and a recruiting approach built around local talent and proven transfers.
Trickett described the skill groups as “basketball teams,” with different players bringing different traits to the table. He also called the tight end room "deep" and said it reminds him of some of his best units from previous stops.
At receiver, the room has been overhauled enough that five to six players are in the mix for the top spots.
Trickett’s arrival also comes with a clear philosophy on how the offense is run. He said the system is a true “100% collaboration” with Locksley, with the two coaches in constant communication to keep the ideas aligned.
His background includes stops at Florida State, where he worked with quarterbacks like EJ Manuel and Jameis Winston, and West Virginia. He also pointed to the influence of his father, a longtime offensive line coach and Vietnam veteran whose discipline shaped him early.
Before taking the Maryland job, Trickett said he did his homework. He checked with former staffers about the program and the culture under Locksley, and the feedback he received reinforced that he was stepping into a stable environment.
Trickett also said his most recent job at Jacksonville State, where he coached alongside his father, was the best experience of his career.
For Maryland, the checklist for camp is straightforward. The staff wants to identify the players who can truly win in space and funnel touches to them.
It wants dependable depth at the back end of the receiver room and a sixth offensive lineman it can trust. And it wants a run game that brings more power and consistency.
The final piece is turning last season’s “banked” experience in tight games into cleaner execution when the margin gets thin.
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The timing makes the loss sting even more because Joyner had been part of the group Maryland was counting on, and now the staff has to lean harder on the next corners up. Jamare Glasker and Amari Jackson are the names most likely to carry that load, with both drawing NFL Draft attention as Maryland tries to keep the position steady. [Read more 🡒]
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For the Terrapins, Wingates inclusion is less about a preseason honor and more about what it says about the units profile entering the fall. The watch list is only the starting point in the Nagurski race, with finalists due Nov. 19 and the trophy set to be presented Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina, but being mentioned at all puts Maryland on a bigger stage. Now the question is whether Wingate can turn last seasons production into the kind of repeat performance that keeps him in the award conversation all year. [Read more 🡒]
Maryland's Path To March Just Got Much Clearer For Buzz Williams
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The opener comes Nov. 2 against Bucknell, with Georgetown and Virginia among the more notable early tests on the calendar. The Vegas event adds another layer of intrigue because it can shape both the teams profile and its rsum, and for Maryland, that matters plenty when March comes into view. Williams now knows where the opportunities are, and the next step is turning a tidy schedule into the kind of wins that make the path ahead a whole lot easier. [Read more 🡒]