Across the last few weeks, we’ve looked at Maryland football’s quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and secondary corps. Now, with head coach Michael Locksley set to lead the Terps out of the shell in three days’ time, we wrap our position previews by looking at Maryland’s special teams unit.
The group was a tale of two phases last season. Kicker Jack Howes was often placed in a difficult position by the offense’s struggles to approach
the red zone. But Howes had several crucial misses, including a 41-yard attempt that could have iced an eventual loss against Michigan State, a 52-yard attempt that could have made the win against USC far less dramatic and a 44-yard attempt on the opening drive against Rutgers that set the tone for what was to come.
Meanwhile, that same offense gave punter Bryce McFerson several opportunities to impress throughout the year. McFerson played well, churning out above-average stats and solidifying his position as one of the better punters in Division I.
Out of any position group, Maryland’s kicking staff may be the most settled entering the 2025 season. New kicker Sean O’Haire and McFerson are the clear favorites in their positions, and long snapper Ethan Gough returns for the punting unit. At the returner positions, however, questions abound.
| NAME | YEAR | 2024 STATS |
|---|---|---|
| Sean O’Haire | Redshirt Freshman | 9-9 PATs, 12-12 FGs (Redshirted at Richmond) |
| Ryan Capriotti | Redshirt Sophomore | N/A |
| NAME | YEAR | 2024 STATS |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce McFerson | Redshirt Junior | 52 punts, 45.1 yards per punt average |
| Philip Noyes | Redshirt Freshman | N/A (Redshirted) |
Skill of the Irish at kicker?
Across nine conference games, Howes went 5-for-9 on kicks, being held without an attempt in a third of Maryland’s games all season. Part of the relatively low number of kicks was also because Michael Locksley and company knew exactly what to expect from Howes.
On the year, Howes was a perfect 8-for-8 from within 40 yards. From beyond 40 yards, he made just three of eight tries. None of his makes were from longer than 48 yards. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, he was the 100th-best kicker in the FBS.
Howes took all field goals, all but one extra point attempt, and all but five kickoffs for the Terps in 2024. Those which he did not take were taken by Gavin Marshall. Neither player is on the Maryland roster in 2025.
It is within this context that redshirt freshman Sean O’Haire enters the scene. The Kildaire, Ireland, native played just four regular-season games and one postseason game for Richmond last year in order to maintain his redshirt status but made his mark, nailing all 21 of his 21 attempted kicks.
O’Haire made nine PATs and 12 field goals in 2024, including two makes from 47 yards and one from 50 yards. What makes those numbers even more eye-popping is the simple reality that that was the Irishman’s first year playing football.
The pipeline from Gaelic to American football is expanding rapidly, much the same way that its Australian counterpart has in recent years, and the Terps could reap the benefits by jumping on the train early.
The other kicker on the roster is redshirt sophomore Ryan Capriotti, who has yet to appear in a college game but made a 34-yard field goal during the Terps’ spring game.
McFerson a person to watch
Bryce McFerson’s seat might be the coldest in the Terps’ program. PFF ranked McFerson as the 33rd-best punter last season as he accrued 2,343 yards over 52 punts. For the first three weeks of 2024, he was named to the Ray Guy Award’s Ray’s 8, a shortlist of the best punters in the nation. He could very well end up back on the list this season.
With McFerson, the statistics back up the eye test. His average of 45.1 yards per punt was fifth-best in the Big Ten — and, interestingly, the exact same average as his 2023 season — and 21 of his 52 punts landed inside the 20-yard line, the third-most in the conference. The Terps will hope to avoid relying on McFerson too heavily, but he could play a pivotal role in the field position battle.
Philip Noyes is the other punter on the roster. The redshirt freshman did not see any field time in 2024 and did not punt in Maryland’s spring game.
Revolving door at returner
The Terps had six different players field kicks in 2024, but none truly staked their claim. The team averaged 15 yards per return on kickoffs and 7.4 yards per return on punts, with the longest such returns going for 33 and 27 yards respectively. Both of those longs came from regular returner Braeden Wisloski, who was the 2024 Phil Steele Preseason First-Team All-Big Ten kick returner but did not take a return in any of Maryland’s final five games.
Wisloski’s disappointing season led to his transfer away from Maryland, while offensive playmakers Roman Hemby and Tai Felton — who combined for two punt returns and a kick return — are gone as well.
The three returning returners combined for 15 returns. The only punt returner was defensive back Ricardo Cooper Jr., who had two kick and two punt returns for a total of 27 yards.
Senior receiver Octavian Smith Jr. had six kick returns — one against Virginia, two against Indiana and three against Iowa — and averaged 16.2 yards per return, the best number outside of Wisloski. However, Smith will likely be a starter on the offense, and that may eat into Locksley’s willingness to have him return kicks.
Maryland’s other returner of 2024, running back Josiah McLaurin, took the last five kickoff returns of the season. The sophomore averaged 15.8 yards per return with a long of 24 yards and is very likely to factor into the position in 2025.
Outside of McLaurin, Locksley will likely draw from the wide receiver or defensive back room. Redshirt sophomore receiver Ryan Manning will challenge for a role in his primary position but has the build to compete for a return spot. Freshman receiver Justin DeVaughn is another likely candidate. DeVaughn is undersized at 5-foot-9 and 166 pounds but has the top speed and agility Locksley would look for — he finished 15th in the 110m hurdles at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor track meet in June.
