293 replies to this topic

[BSLRoseKatz]

Gotta be the first Madden cover athlete to have a college football trophy named after him

[makoman]

Awards shouldn't be named after people I watched play.

At least he’s older than me.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Listened to a bit of Jeff Ermann's IMS live podcast recording tonight, publicly available for anyone who's interested. Biggest takeaway is that, while he hasn't heard anything definitive, he fully expects Malik Washington to be Maryland's starting QB right away. Other things that were mentioned:

• WR Mekhai White has been moved to DB during camp.
• RT Alan Herron has reportedly improved dramatically.
• EDGE Sidney Stewart may be the best true freshman on the team, including Washington.
• On paper, the secondary should be much better this year particularly at the CB position.

Jeff and his guys went through the entire depth chart, and the lack of depth on the offensive side of the ball is pretty staggering. If Maryland has any sort of injury issues (particularly to the offensive line), this offense will likely have serious problems moving the ball.

 

It was a good listen, should be available here.

[BSLZackKiesel]

For his efforts in the team's win over Florida Atlantic, QB Malik Washington has been named as the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week.

[BSLRoseKatz]

6 points in the AP poll, the unofficial #33

 

https://apnews.com/h...e-football-poll

[BSLZackKiesel]

DL DD Holmes was arrested early Wednesday morning on DUI charges. Good chance he’ll be dismissed from the team.

[BSLRoseKatz]

DL DD Holmes was arrested early Wednesday morning on DUI charges. Good chance he’ll be dismissed from the team.

 

Should've been more specific when we wanted the program to act like Georgia

[You Play to Win the Game]

6 points in the AP poll, the unofficial #33

 

https://apnews.com/h...e-football-poll

I don't think that's warranted. I still believe this is a house of cards, but we'll see. They have more of my attention heading into October than I thought they'd have before the season started. So credit where credit's due there. Malik really is a difference maker, so he alone could make me wholly wrong about this season. Still, I just don't see the trenches holding up, and like a house of cards, once that punch in the mouth comes, do they keep the house afloat? Because they never have before.

[glenn__davis]

I don't think that's warranted. I still believe this is a house of cards, but we'll see. They have more of my attention heading into October than I thought they'd have before the season started. So credit where credit's due there. Malik really is a difference maker, so he alone could make me wholly wrong about this season. Still, I just don't see the trenches holding up, and like a house of cards, once that punch in the mouth comes, do they keep the house afloat? Because they never have before.

 

Think the ranking of 33 is fine based on the resume' of the team thus far.  Also think it's totally fair to be waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

Transfer portal really bumming me out because this looks like a really good young core, especially on defense.  Then you have a potential good class backing that up behind Elee.  But, how many of these guys stick around after this year?  

[BSLZackKiesel]

Maryland received 7 votes in this week’s AP Poll, effectively ranking them #32 and tied with North Texas.

[BSLZackKiesel]

ESPN: Ranking the top freshmen so far in the 2025 college football season

https://www.espn.com...alik-washington

 

1. Malik Washington, QB, Maryland Terrapins

 

Living up to expectations as a potential hometown savior is hard. But so far, the Maryland native, who ranked No. 134 in the SC Next ESPN 300 coming out of high school, has been up to the task. The 6-foot-5, 231-pounder delivered Maryland's first Big Ten road win since 2023 by beating Wisconsin. It was not his best performance in terms of completion percentage, but he still threw for 265 yards and accounted for three scores in a poised performance.

Washington ranks among the nation's top 25 in both passing yards (1,038) and touchdowns (eight) through four games. Perhaps most importantly, Washington has avoided turnovers. Last year, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola showed how tough the Big Ten can be for a freshman, but Washington's efficiency and composure suggest he's built to handle the grind.

5. Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart, DE, Maryland Terrapins

We're cheating a bit by picking two players, but this disruptive tandem has rejuvenated Maryland's defensive front. Stewart leads all freshmen and is tied for sixth nationally with four sacks through four games. The 6-foot-6 Mathis isn't far behind, and while he went without a sack against Wisconsin, he notched seven tackles and used his long wingspan to block a kick.

 

Both players have also performed quite well against the run. It's a tall ask for freshman edge defenders to hold up all year against Big Ten competition, but this pair has the tools to keep producing. With fellow freshman Nashir Taylor, the trio has graded out in the top five of all true freshmen edge rushers.

[BSLZackKiesel]

QB Malik Washington has been named to the watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award.

DL Zahir Mathis and DL Sidney Stewart have both been added to the watch list for this award.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Per a statement from the team, an unnamed player was transported to the hospital during yesterday's practice. He's since been released and is back with the team.

 

No word on who the player is yet, but it apparently occurred during a mid-air collision in which he landed on his head.

[BSLZackKiesel]

ESPN: Ranking the top 10 freshman QBs in college football

https://www.espn.com...ollege-football

 

4. Malik Washington, Maryland Terrapins

 

The Terps' schedule has allowed Washington time to grow into the position. But Maryland hasn't been afraid to throw the ball, averaging 40 pass attempts against four FBS opponents. For the most part, he has handled it quite well for a true freshman, turning the ball over just once and taking only one sack.

 

The former No. 3 dual-threat prospect has struggled throwing down the field and is completing just 51% of his attempts beyond 5 yards. But Washington is a physical standout who has all the tools to bloom into a big-time player by year's end. The Terrapins avoid Penn State and Ohio State this year, but how he navigates upcoming games against Nebraska, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois will reveal a lot.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Per a statement from the team, an unnamed player was transported to the hospital during yesterday's practice. He's since been released and is back with the team.

 

No word on who the player is yet, but it apparently occurred during a mid-air collision in which he landed on his head.

The player has since been identified as DB Lloyd Irvin III.

[BSLRoseKatz]

This is 90% a joke but...2026 Maryland head coach James Franklin?

[BSLZackKiesel]

This is 90% a joke but...2026 Maryland head coach James Franklin?

More realistically but on a similar note, Charles Huff would be an interesting candidate. Grew up in Denton, went to Hampton, was on Friedgen's coaching staff in 2009 and Franklin's coaching staff in 2011 and from 2014-17. Went 32-20 as Marshall's head coach from 2021-24, and is off to a 4-2 start at Southern Miss this season.

[BSLZackKiesel]

QB Malik Washington, DL Zahir Mathis, and DL Sidney Stewart have been named as On3 Midseason True Freshman All-Americans.

[BSLZackKiesel]

DB Jalen Huskey has been named as a Pro Football Focus Mid-Season All-American.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

This is 90% a joke but...2026 Maryland head coach James Franklin?

If hes interested MD should be too