Maryland senior wide receiver Tai Felton continues to be one of the few bright lights in a gloom 2024 season for Maryland football, and that only continued on Saturday.
A 17-yard reception in the first quarter was all that was needed for Felton to set the new single-season program reception record with his 81st catch of the season, breaking a record held by DJ Moore since 2017. Felton then recorded Maryland’s first touchdown of the day after connecting with Billy Edwards on a 12-yard fade, a play that inched him closer atop Maryland’s record book. The touchdown marked his 15th career score, moving him into sole possession of fifth in program history after surpassing Jeshaun Jones, Dontay Demus and Stefon Diggs. The 12-yard reception also broke the 1,000 receiving mark this season, making Felton just the fourth player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a single season.
Felton finished with 61 yards on six catches and 14 targets, enough to pass Darrius Heyward-Bey for fourth-most career receiving yards (2,123). Felton also ranks third in program history in career receptions (162) and sits 23 catches away from breaking Geroy Simon's 30-year record of 185 catches.
While senior wide receiver Kaden Prather has also drawn plenty of NFL interest, Felton has a chance to become the first Maryland wide receiver drafted since Mike Locksley took over as head coach.
Pro Football Network ranks Felton tenth in their wide receiver rankings among 2025 NFL Draft prospects, while the 33rd Team ranks Felton as the 92nd-best overall prospect.
Of course, Felton’s latest record-breaking performance was masked by the Terps’ struggles in all three phases as Rutgers walked out of SECU Stadium with a convincing 31-17 win.
“Obviously disappointing for him to have the type of year he's having, but we all know that individual awards are good when you are successful as a team,” head coach Mike Locksley said postgame. “And I'm sure Tai will be the first to tell you, obviously he's a good player for us, a guy that's made some plays for us, but right now to sit here with four wins and had opportunities in some games. I'm sure he’d give up some of those yardages and some of those catches to add a few more wins, which we have a chance with two more guaranteed opportunities to continue to extend our play.”
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