The Terps are looking for a new quarterback for the first time in three years.
The final installment of our Maryland football position previews features the much-publicized quarterback room. In case you missed it, over the last three weeks we’ve looked at the wide receivers, tight ends, running backs, offensive line, linebackers, secondary, defensive line and special teams unit.
For the first time in four years, nobody knows who Maryland’s starting quarterback will be until the first snap of the season is taken.
Taulia Tagovailoa, the Big Ten’s all-time leader in passing yards, ran out of eligibility after last season and is now playing in the Canadian Football League. Thus, Maryland is forced to replace the engine behind its offense and a leader in the locker room.
Luckily, the Terps have options. The quarterback competition has come down to three main suitors: redshirt junior Billy Edwards, redshirt sophomore MJ Morris — who transferred from NC State — and redshirt sophomore Cameron Edge.
Who will win the starting job?
Head coach Mike Locksley has kept quiet about who the starting quarterback will be, even positing that redshirt freshman Champ Long and true freshman Khristian Martin have a chance to win the job. It is clear Locksley is just keeping his cards close to his chest, forcing UConn, who the Terps will play in their season opener on Aug. 31, to prepare for every scenario.
However, this job has always been a battle between Edwards, Morris and Edge. That has never been more evident than over the past week, when each took turns running the offense during the team’s final scrimmage of the season Saturday.
Now, with the top candidates identified, let’s break each of them down.
Edwards is the most familiar with the program, earning playing time in each of the last two seasons. This makes him the most likely Week 1 starter.
But aside from being familiar with the system and staff, he’s the most physically gifted of the bunch. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 222 pounds, Edwards’ legs are equally as strong as his arm, if not stronger.
Last season, he rushed for 91 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns on 29 attempts (3.1 yards per carry), often being used in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His passing stats were not as flattering, though, as he threw for 128 yards, a touchdown and an interception on a 33.3% completion percentage. While he struggled with accuracy on the field, Edwards certainly has the strongest arm on the team.
Morris is a toned-down version of Edwards. He doesn’t have Edwards’ legs — although he can move in his own right — or pure arm talent, but he brings more touch and accuracy with his throws.
Last season at NC State, Morris threw for 719 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions on a 55.8% completion percentage, while rushing for 92 yards, not including yardage lost on sacks.
Morris has the most in-game experience of the trio, and may be used as Locksley’s safety net if Edwards plays poorly.
Edge is the least experienced player in the race, and thus will likely be slotted behind Edwards and Morris on the depth chart.
He played relatively well in his brief playing time last season, completing six of nine attempts for 100 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
He’s a mixture of Edwards and Morris in terms of arm strength and accuracy, but most likely won’t get a chance to showcase it if Locksley’s plan goes accordingly.
A look into the future
This season will serve as a test trial for all three quarterbacks moving forward. One of them will win the starting job by the end of the year, leaving the other two with two options: enter the transfer portal or stay at Maryland as a backup. The former seems the most likely option given the current college football landscape.
However, the future cannot be glossed over without mentioning Locksley’s prized jewel: four-star quarterback Malik Washington. Washington is 247Sports’ No. 10-ranked quarterback in the class of 2025 and is helping Locksley usher in a new era of highly-ranked Maryland recruits.
Washington will be a true freshman next year and gunning for the starting spot.
Whether Maryland’s eventual starting quarterback this year plays at an all-conference level or terribly, Terp fans will have something to look forward to next year regardless.