Maryland football returns its entire wide receiver corps from last season, a deep and talented group that should be one of the Big Ten's best. If anyone knows that's true, it's Terps safety Nick Cross.
"They're a handful, you know, every day we got to be on our P's and Q's, we got to make sure that we're on our assignments, we know our technique, we know our leverage and everything. Because, you know, they, they bring it every single day," Cross said this week at Big Ten Media Days. "From top to bottom, it's a very talented room, everybody brings something different to the table, you know, Dontay [Demus] here, he does it all. All the receivers, they have had a little niche, but at the end of the day, they could play inside and outside. So, definitely have to come in and bring your A-game every single day."
Terps coach Mike Locksley on Thursday said his current group of receivers, which ranked second in the Big Ten last season with 264 receiving yards per game, is as good as any he's coached. It's a bold statement, considering he had a receiver room at Alabama loaded with college stars and high NFL Draft picks, including 2020 Heisman winner Devonta Smith and other highly regarded NFL players like Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and Cam Sims.
What does hearing that lofty praise feel like?
"You know, just take that in and really just play with that on your shoulders," said Demus, a dynamic 6-foot-3 senior who will enter fall camp No. 1 among those Maryland receivers. "Being able to have to say that you've been a part of it. He's been a part of a lot of good, great groups going on [a long time] now. Guys like [Jerry] Jeudy and Devonta Smith."
Demus and former five-star Rakim Jarrett will get the headlines, but the Terps are loaded with pass-catchers. Jeshaun Jones, Brian Cobbs, Darryl Jones have made plays before. Youngsters Deajuan McDougle, Marcus Fleming, Nick DeGennaro and Dino Tomlin have impressed during the offseason. True freshman Tai Felton might be the fastest player on the team. And 6-foot-5 veteran Carlos Carriere has shown playmaking ability in limited playing time.
It's a loaded group and Demus is expected to set the pace. And quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa showed last year that he can get the ball to his playmakers.
"Coming into this next season, me and Demus actually sat down. And we talked about, you know, the next step. Me taking the next step, as an offense and as a receiver and quarterback room. And he took on a challenge. And you know, he's the leader for the receivers. The whole receiver crew follows after him," he said.
An added bonus: their potentially lethal aerial attack will be on display in front of crowds this season at Maryland Stadium after COVID-19 kept fans away last year.
"That'd be very cool. You know, last year, I didn't get the opportunity to play in a full capacity stadium at Maryland," Tagovailoa said. "So I think this upcoming year is gonna be very exciting for me. I know I can't wait."
Read on below for more from Tagovailoa, Cross and Demus ...
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