Maryland’s decision to fire Mike Locksley on Wednesday morning has already started to ripple beyond College Park, and Oregon is one of the programs that could feel it most if the roster starts to turn over.
The Terps became the first Power 4 program to make a coaching change this season, with Locksley out after Maryland fell to 2-5 following a last-second loss to Rutgers. He leaves with a 39-54 record at Maryland, including his interim run in 2015. The program is on a bye this week.
Head-coaching changes almost always send schools scrambling to hold together their rosters, and Maryland is no different. Locksley’s biggest strength there was recruiting, not talent evaluation, which is why any departure wave would immediately put other programs on alert. Oregon, in particular, could be ready to pounce if former five-star Zion Elee decides to enter the Transfer Portal.
That would be a familiar name for Duck fans. Elee was one of the most coveted recruits in the country coming out of high school, spending a long stretch as the nation’s No. 1 overall player before finishing ranked sixth. At one point during his recruitment, Oregon looked like a serious contender to land the edge rusher.
Instead, Locksley won that battle and kept Elee in state. Now, as a freshman at Maryland, Elee is already flashing the talent that made him such a prized recruit. He has 3.5 sacks, 12 tackles and three forced fumbles, production that stands out even more because Maryland has been playing from behind in most of its games.
For Oregon, the fit is obvious if the opportunity ever opens up. The Ducks could be looking for edge help this offseason, especially with Matayo Uiagalelei and Teituim Tuioti expected to head to the NFL. If that happens, Dan Lanning and his staff may again be shopping for immediate-impact pass rushers, and Elee would check that box.
None of it matters unless Elee actually transfers, of course. Maryland could move quickly to hire its next coach and keep key players in place before the portal opens. But if Elee does leave, his market would be massive - maybe even bigger than the one that surrounded him the first time around.
Oregon has made a habit of making noise in the Transfer Portal, and with so many veteran departures looming, this offseason could set up another major swing.
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