Despite Maryland wrapping up a second straight four-win season under head coach Mike Locksley, the 2025 campaign wasn’t without its bright spots. A handful of Terps carved their names into the program’s record books, showing that even in a tough year, individual excellence can still shine through. From special teams to the defensive front and a true freshman quarterback turning heads, Maryland had no shortage of standout performances worth highlighting.
Punter Bryce McFerson: A Quiet Force with a Big Leg
Let’s start with Bryce McFerson, who quietly put together one of the most effective punting careers in Maryland history. The Notre Dame transfer wrapped up his two-year stint in College Park with a career punting average of 44.6 yards - the best ever for any Terp punter with at least two seasons under their belt. McFerson wasn’t just flipping the field; he was a consistent weapon in the hidden yardage game, giving Maryland’s defense a fighting chance week after week.
Kicker Sean O’Haire: Steady as They Come
Special teams got a major facelift this past offseason, and Sean O’Haire was at the center of it. The Richmond transfer brought much-needed consistency to the kicking game, finishing the year with an 87.5% field goal percentage - a new Maryland record for kickers with at least 20 attempts.
He was automatic from mid-range, going 5-for-5 on kicks between 40 and 49 yards and hitting 16 of 18 from inside 40. In a season where points were often hard to come by, O’Haire’s reliability was a major asset.
DL Sidney Stewart: A Freshman Disruptor Up Front
Sidney Stewart didn’t just flash potential - he delivered. The true freshman defensive lineman made an immediate impact, earning a spot on the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List.
Stewart recorded at least one tackle for loss in nine of his 12 games, finishing with 10.5 TFLs - the most ever by a Maryland freshman, breaking a record that had stood since 1979. Stewart’s motor, instincts, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield made him one of the most exciting young defenders in the Big Ten.
QB Malik Washington: A Star in the Making
Malik Washington’s freshman season wasn’t just good - it was historic. The regular-season finale against Michigan State was his signature moment, throwing for 459 yards - the most ever by a Maryland true freshman and the second-highest single-game total in program history.
By season’s end, Washington had thrown for 2,963 yards, setting a new freshman record and ranking sixth all-time for any Maryland quarterback. His 273 completions tied for fifth-most in a single season, and his 17 touchdown passes put him in a tie for 10th in program history.
Simply put, Washington gave Maryland fans a glimpse of the future - and it looks bright.
Wide Receivers: Quiet Year, But the Numbers Still Count
It wasn’t a banner year for Maryland’s receiving corps. Drops and a lack of explosive plays hampered the offense, and the Terps finished 95th in the FBS in 30+ yard passing plays. But even in a down year, the starting trio managed to leave their mark on the record books.
- Octavian Smith, the versatile senior and former high school quarterback, capped off his career with 107 receptions - tied for 17th all-time at Maryland - and 1,210 receiving yards, good for 25th in school history. A steady presence throughout his four years, Smith’s reliability was a constant.
- Jalil Farooq, a transfer from Oklahoma and former Wise High School standout, made an immediate impact in his first season in College Park. His 58 receptions tied for the 11th-most in a single season in program history, matching the mark set by Frank Wycheck during his freshman year.
- Shaleak Knotts finally found his stride in 2025. After three seasons of waiting for a breakout, he led the team with 717 receiving yards - the 18th-highest single-season total in Maryland history. His ability to stretch the field and make contested catches added a much-needed spark to the offense.
RB DeJuan Williams: A Dual-Threat Out of the Backfield
DeJuan Williams took a big step forward in 2025, especially in the passing game. The redshirt sophomore racked up 426 receiving yards - the most by a Maryland running back since Bruce Perry’s 359-yard season back in 2001. Williams’ ability to catch the ball out of the backfield gave the offense another layer, and his versatility should make him a key piece moving forward.
LB Daniel Wingate: Toughness and Production
Linebacker Daniel Wingate showed the kind of grit and production that Terp fans love. The former Pallotti standout played through injuries in the back half of the season, but you wouldn’t know it from the numbers.
Wingate finished with 102 total tackles, becoming the first Maryland player to hit the century mark since Tre Watson in 2018. His sideline-to-sideline range and instincts drew early comparisons to Maryland legend E.J.
Henderson - lofty praise, but not unwarranted.
Final Thoughts
Yes, Maryland’s 2025 season will go down as another rebuilding year in the win-loss column. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The Terps saw record-setting performances from key contributors across the board - from a true freshman quarterback rewriting the books, to a punter and kicker setting new program standards, to a freshman defender already looking like a star in the making.
The wins may not have come this year, but the foundation being laid is clear. If Maryland can build around these emerging stars and clean up the inconsistencies, especially on offense, there’s reason to believe better days are ahead in College Park.