Maryland Terrapins (turtle)
- By ScriptOhio
- College Football
- 139 Replies
Maryland star EDGE Zahir Mathis suffers season-ending injury ahead of make-or-break year for Mike Locksley
Entering the season on one of college football's hottest seats, Mike Locksley received some devastating news on Wednesday
Locksley's uncertain future at Maryland
Locksley enters the season on one of the Power Four's hottest seats. After three consecutive bowl victories, Maryland has now suffered through back-to-back 4-8 seasons. Last year, a slew of injuries forced the Terps to throw several freshmen into the starting lineup."We feel like the tough times are behind us now, as this inexperienced group has gained real experience -- three games where we lost on the last drive while leading in 11 of the 12 games total," Locksley said last month. "When you think about that with a young team, you think finish. That's what we've spent the last six months talking about."
While Locksley has been given some grace for last year's circumstances, patience has run thin at Maryland -- his contract only runs through the 2027 season.
Locksley's future rests largely on the talented young core he convinced the program to retain. Quarterback Malik Washington is the cornerstone of that group after flashing considerable upside as a freshman. Maryland needs him to make a sophomore leap in a revamped offense under coordinator Clint Trickett.
The Terrapins also need immediate growth from several second-year contributors, especially with Mathis lost for the season. Unseasoned players who were afforded developmental snaps last fall must become weekly answers against a punishing Big Ten schedule.
Locksley kept important pieces from leaving, but that won't outweigh another losing record. Maryland's sophomore class represents his best argument for patience. Now it's up to him to prove the program is still moving forward.
Just sayin': The Turtles have a fairly easy schedule in 2026. Locksley sure gets a real break with that schedule.
Maryland should beat Rutgers, UCLA, and Purdue. In addition, if they win the 3 OOC games; that puts them at 6 wins. Maybe they can steal another game for a winning record.
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