With much of the focus on the transfer portal than high school recruiting for Maryland football, head coach Mike Locksley and his staff enter a pivotal portion of the offseason in the coming days with incoming and outgoing attrition set to kick off once again.
Midseason departures
Maryland saw four players leave midseason in punter Brenden Segovia, defensive back Mykel Morman, tight end Leron Husbands and quarterback Cam Edge. Husbands played in six of eight games before departing, while Edge was in the preseason chase for the vacant starting quarterback job that was ultimately filled by Billy Edwards Jr., ending the former four-star’s time with just four appearances over three seasons. Segovia, who was the first departure after leaving the program during the first bye week, sat behind Colton Spangler before Bryce McFerson took over the position in 2024, while Morman was among a bevy of young cornerbacks in a cornerback room that could see changes this offseason.
Portal needs
Maryland will be an active player in the transfer portal this offseason with needs on both sides of the ball, wide receiver being one given both Kaden Prather and Tai Felton have exhausted their eligibility en route to becoming NFL Draft picks in April.
With that, we’ll track the outgoing trackers and provide intel on the incoming transfers to watch:
Maryland football offseason departure tracker:
Dec. 27: QB MJ Morris entered the portal after one season with the program. The move became expected once former UCLA QB Justyn Martin signed with the program, likely ending Morris' path to a starting role. In seven games and one start, Morris finished 36-of-61 for five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Dec. 26: after a brief entry, DL Lavon Johnson opted to return to Maryland for a third season where he's set to become an integral part of the 2024 rotation.
Dec. 23: after two seasons with the program, DL Lavon Johnson announced his entry into the transfer portal in what may be the biggest blow to the Terps' offseason so far. One day removed from the signing of former Saint Francis DT Eyan Thomas, Johnson's departure serves as a hit for a defensive line unit after becoming a bigger part of the rotation in 2024. The Pa. native posted 14 tackles and 0.5 TFLs in eight games as he battled injuries, ending his time with the program. He played in six games in 2023.
Dec. 20: TE Dylan Wade entered the transfer portal after two seasons with the program. A former three-star signee out of Jones (FL), Wade was another who was on the fence about a third season with the program with his status uncertain in the final weeks of the regular season. Wade now joins Preston Howard as departing tight ends this offseason as head coach Mike Locksley will look to rebuild the room.
Dec. 19: OL Marcus Dumervil entered the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining. Dumervil, a former four-star transfer out of LSU, arrived at Maryland as a versatile piece in the rotation where he lined up at both guard and center. He appeared in 14 games and started in three games during his time with the program.
Dec. 18: IOL Deandre Duffus entered the transfer portal on Wednesday. A former three-star in the 2023 class, Duffus played in one game during his two seasons with the program.
Dec. 16: minutes after Hemby's news became official, former Maryand QB Billy Edwards Jr. announced his commitment to Wisconsin, setting the stage for a rematch against his former team on Sept. 20.
Dec.16: after awaiting NFL feedback, Maryland RB Roman Hemby will spend his final season of eligibility elsewhere after entering the transfer portal on Monday evening. Hemby, who sits top-15 in multiple rushing categories, is expected to draw significant Big 12 and SEC interest.
Dec. 16: WR Josh Richards has entered the transfer portal after two seasons with the program. A former three-star signee in the 2023 class, Richards did not record a stat.
Dec. 15: OL Kevin Kalonji announced his departure after two appearances in two seasons with the program.
Dec. 13: TE Preston Howard has announced his entry into the transfer portal after battling a stay-or-go decision. Sources tell IBG that Ole Miss is expected to be a contender among other SEC and Big 12 programs.
Dec. 13: Safety Tayvon Nelson entered the transfer portal after not seeing any game action during his two seasons with the program..
Dec. 12: the biggest blow of the offseason to-date, Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr. has filed his paperwork to enter the transfer portal as he plays his final season of college football elsewhere. Whether Edwards was set to return at quarterback in 2025 was never formally announced, though the first-year starter was named a transfer QB to watch last week.
Dec. 11: Maryland walk-on and former Villanova cornerback Chantz Harley announced his departure from the program after two seasons with the program. Harley, the son of Director of Character & Leadership Development Charlie Harley, posted 16 total tackles and one pass breakup in ten games in 2024.
Dec. 10: Maryland offers a pair of portal cornerbacks originally from Florida -- Western Carolina CB Jordy Lowery and Miami (FL) Robert Stafford. Lowery, who has two years remaining, posted six interceptions and 14 pass breakups before being named first-team all conference in 2024. Stafford, who has three years remaining, played in all 12 games in 2024.
Dec. 10: Maryland is expected to host Northern Illinois CB Amariyun Knighten for an official visit beginning Dec. 17. Chris Hummer of 247Sports first reported the news. In eight games, Knighten posted one interception, four pass deflections and 13 tackles before entering the portal on Monday.
Dec. 10: Maryland offers former Marshall CB Jacobie Henderson. He posted 46 tackles, two INTs and ten pass breakups before being named an All-Sun Belt third team selection in 2024. With two years of eligibility remaining, Henderson is expected to enroll in January.
Dec. 10: Maryland saw two departures at cornerback: CB Kevis Thomas and Jonathan Akins. Thomas, a former three-star in the 2023 class, announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. Thomas played in eight games in 2024 and registered 21 tackles. Akins posted two tackles in six games in 2024.
Dec. 9: Longtime rotational OL Kyle Long announced his entry into the transfer portal. A former three-star prospect in the 2021 class, Long played in 19 games over his final two seasons with the program.
Dec. 9: Maryland offers OL Jayvin James, former Akron offensive lineman who started in nine games at right tackle for the Zips in 2024.
Dec. 8: WR Zeke Avit, a second-year player out of Churchill (MD) announces he will enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. Also a basketball star in high school, Avit recorded his first career catch in the week five road loss vs. Indiana.
Dec. 8: CB Perry Fisher, who stepped up as a full-time starter in 2024, announced he’s entering the transfer portal.
Dec. 5: DL Jordan Phillips announces his intention to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. After starting all 12 games, Phillips finished with 29 total tackles, one TFL and two QB hits in 2024.
Dec. 5: CB Lionell Whitaker is planning to enter the transfer portal, per On3. He finished with seven tackles and one TFL in five games in 2024 with the cornerback room expected to see attrition.
Dec. 4: freshman safety Brandon Jacob became the first Terp to announce his intention of entering the transfer portal since the offseason began, ending his time with the program after one season. Jacob committed to Maryland over UCF, Miami (FL) and Texas A&M among others and arrived in College Park in January before becoming an integral part of the safety rotation, working to fill the shoes now left vacant by Dante Trader Jr.
Dec. 3: after leaving the team in October, punter Brenden Segovia announced his entry into the transfer portal: “Grateful for the opportunity to play as the punter for the University of Maryland and for everything I’ve learned during my time there. While my journey had its ups and downs, I’m blessed to have more football ahead. I’ve officially entered the transfer portal, humbled to play at any level, and excited to find new threads to showcase my love for the game and commitment to success,” he wrote on X/Twitter with a link provided to his stats.
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