Our Maryland football position group previews continue with the defensive back room. Also check out our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line and linebacker previews.
After a dismal 2024 campaign, Maryland’s defensive back room will certainly be looking to rebound. The Terps ranked No. 13 in the conference in total tackles, dead-last in passes defended and No. 13 in interceptions.
Against Michigan State, the Terps allowed multiple deep touchdowns, with
inexperienced quarterback Aidan Chiles throwing for 363 yards and three scores. And that was merely one example of the room’s shortcomings.
A number of players departed from the defensive back room this past season. The most notable of the group was safety Dante Trader Jr., who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Glen Miller also left for the NFL, and is currently on the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster bubble. Multiple players also transferred out, including Lionell Whitaker, Perry Fisher, Kevis Thomas and Brandon Jacob, among others.
Head coach Michael Locksley is now staring down a rather barren defensive back room. It will undoubtedly take players with little experience to step up in a big way this season if Maryland is eyeing any sort of defensive improvement.
The proven players
Just a few players on the defensive back depth chart have ample in-game college football experience. One to look out for is cornerback Jamare Glasker, who transferred in from Wake Forest after starting nine games last season. 2024 served as his breakout season, as he played in just nine games in 2023.
Standing at 6-foot-1, Glasker has the measurables to be the No. 1 cornerback option that many thought Jalen Huskey would assume when he transferred in from Bowling Green last season. But the senior Huskey is now listed as a safety on various depth charts, and spent ample snaps toward the end of season lining up at that position.
Huskey underperformed in 2024 compared to many of the lofty expectations that were put on him after being a first team All-MAC selection in 2023. But he has another opportunity to boost his tenure at Maryland, likely in a similar leadership role that was previously held by Trader.
Opposite Huskey will likely be Lavain Scruggs, who saw action in all 12 games at safety in 2024, primarily when Trader was used in the box. Scruggs flashed versatility and range last year, and stands tall at 6-foot-3. He had a career-high six tackles against Michigan State.
The other poised to make a splash is Arkansas State transfer Dontay Joyner. Joyner, a junior, stands at 6-foot-0 and earned the third-highest cornerback grade in the Sun Belt in 2024, according to PFF. Against Michigan, he had a career-high eight tackles, a quarterback hurry and an interception.
Other likely contributors
There are a few players, while not slotted to be starters on Day 1, will still contribute to the defense.
Kevyn Humes, a sophomore, saw action in eight games in 2024. According to Rivals.com, he was rated a four-star defensive back coming out of high school. He’ll likely be the third cornerback on the depth chart this season, and will have far more opportunities to prove his skill in just his second year of collegiate action.
Freshman Messiah Delhomme will have the potential to see the field plenty of times in his first year. A four-star recruit by 247Sports, Delhomme is in a similar situation that four-star Brandon Jacob was in last season. And like Jacob, Delhomme could be thrust out early.
Delhomme was the No. 2 overall recruit in the state of Virginia by 247Sports and a two-time first team All-State selection. He stands at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds and already seems to have the frame and athleticism to compete at the next level.
Rest of the pack
Given the lack of true depth in both the cornerback and safety room, any of these players could have the opportunity to see playing time this season.
Braydon Lee appeared in four games as a true freshman in 2024. Standing at 6-foot-1, he was a three-star prospect by 247Sports and could see an increased role in his second year with the program.
Shamar McIntosh, Alex Moore and Gavin Edwards combined for just five tackles last season, and will likely seldom see the field barring injuries.
It’s also worth noting that redshirt freshman Mekhai White, who came to Maryland as a wide receiver, is now listed as both a receiver and defensive back. White didn’t see the field on either side of the ball as a freshman, but his stature – 6-foot-5 and 201 pounds — provides a potentially fascinating fit at defensive back.
