We continue our deep dives into Maryland football’s position groups with a look at the wide receiver room. Take a look at our previous previews on the team’s quarterbacks and running backs.
The Terps had above-average passing production in 2024, ranking seventh in the conference in total receiving yards (3308) and third in receiving yards per game (275.7).
But those lofty numbers may soon take a dip. Maryland lost its quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., to the transfer portal and its two premier wideouts,
Tai Felton and Kaden Prather, to the NFL this past offseason. That receiver duo combined for a staggering 1748 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024 — numbers that won’t easily be replicated.
Now head coach Michael Locksley and his staff must move forward with a near-complete turnover of the starting wide receiver corps. The question remains: who can fill those voids?
| Player | Year | 2024 stats |
|---|---|---|
| Jalil Farooq | Senior (RS) | 3 catches, 24 yards |
| Octavian Smith Jr. | Senior | 30 catches, 315 yards, 2 TDs |
| Shaleak Knotts | Senior | 11 catches, 161 yards, 1 TD |
| Ryan Manning | Sophomore (RS) | 3 catches, 28 yards |
| Kaleb Webb | Junior (RS) | 6 catches, 48 yards |
| Mekhai White | Freshman (RS) | N/A |
| Justin DeVaughn | Freshman | High School (three-star recruit) |
| Jordan Scott | Junior (RS) | N/A |
| Zymear Smith | Freshman | High School (four-star recruit) |
The tantalizing transfers
Maryland brought in two notable transfer wideouts this past offseason.
Redshirt senior Jalil Farooq will have a chance to shine for his home state on the gridiron this fall after playing in 36 games across four seasons with Oklahoma. The 6-foot-2 wideout only played in two contests in 2024 due to a broken foot, but looks to be ready to go for Week 1 action.
The Lanham, Maryland, native was a steady contributor for the Sooners before his injury, totaling 45 receptions and 694 yards in 13 games in 2023. He was tabbed an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection for his performance that year.
Farooq is a shifty, agile wide receiver that can outpace and evade defenders after the catch. He has also shown the ability to go up and grab contested balls with his larger frame. If he can rekindle the explosiveness he had pre-injury, the Terps will undoubtedly enjoy his presence on the field.
Meanwhile, Kaleb Webb, a Tennessee transfer, will look to bolster his college legacy after finding himself outside the Volunteers’ receiver rotation in 2024. The 6-foot-5 redshirt junior hauled in just 22 receptions for 214 yards and one touchdown across three seasons and 23 games at Tennessee.
Webb’s physical traits are eye-popping and differ from most of the Terps’ wide receiver corps. He’s even taller than Prather, who stood at 6-foot-3 and was known for his contested catch ability, particularly in the red zone. Despite his limited college action, Locksley and his staff could channel Webb’s raw talent and utilize those abilities on the field.
The top returners
Senior Octavian Smith Jr. headlines the list of returning wide receivers. His steady presence over the last few season should earn him a solidified role in Pep Hamilton’s offense. Smith has proven to be a reliable target, flashing quickness and yards-after-catch ability. He earned his first-career start against Michigan State last season.
“You should expect the offense to be very explosive,” Smith said. “With [offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton] being here, you could tell how the atmosphere changed when he arrived. The intensity changed.”
Senior Shaleak Knotts had an increased, albeit not major, role in 2024. Standing at 6-foot-3, Knotts will most likely be the team’s third receiver, with his familiarity with the system and past praise from the coaching staff proving beneficial. Knotts earned the Most Improved Player Award following the team’s spring camp in 2024.
Ryan Manning likely has the chance to improve the most in Maryland’s system compared to last season. Just a redshirt sophomore and standing at 5-foot-11, he projects to be the Terps’ fourth wide receiver, with ample potential to get a starting nod this season. Manning appeared in seven games in 2024.
Redshirt freshman Mekhai White did not appear in game action last season but could also see his role increase. The 6-foot-5 big-bodied wideout was the No. 7 overall prospect in the state of Virginia, according to 247Sports.
The rest of the group
Justin DeVaughn, Jordan Scott and Zymear Smith are the remaining names in Maryland’s wide receiver room. DeVaughn and Smith are both true freshmen, while Scott is a junior college transfer.
DeVaughn was a three-star recruit from Mergenthaler Vocational Technical and hails from Baltimore. According to 247Sports, he was a top-15 ranked player in the state. The speedy wideout also competed in track and field in high school.
Zymear Smith was a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports, and was Rivals’ fifth-ranked athlete nationally. An extremely well-rounded player, He rushed 71 times for 609 yards and seven touchdowns while also hauling in nine catches for 380 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Zymear Smith even added 20 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. His traits and versatility could land him some playing time as a true freshman.
Scott stands at 6-foot-7, by far the tallest of Maryland’s wideouts. He briefly enrolled at Florida State in the spring after being ranked the No. 2 JUCO wide receiver by 247Sports before entering the transfer portal again.
