The University of Maryland’s football program enters the 2025 season with a dramatically reshaped wide receiver room, a unit that lost three senior starters — Shaleak Knotts, Jalil Farooq and Octavian Smith Jr. — to graduation, leaving a void in both volume and experience.
A Revamped Receiving Corps
Last year the Terps ranked near the bottom of the nation in pass reliability, recording 39 dropped catches that hampered quarterback Malik Washington’s rhythm, especially in the fourth quarter when the offense stalled for a mere 98 yards against Rutgers, the lowest total since 2022.
Adding to the mix are two portal transfers who bring proven production: Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding arrives from Old Dominion, where he posted 51 receptions for 667 yards and six touchdowns, and Chris Durr Jr., a Wyoming alumnus who logged 45 catches for 469 yards and four scores, excelling in short‑throw situations.
Redshirt senior Kaleb Webb, who managed 22 catches for 318 yards and two touchdowns in the previous season, is expected to assume a larger share of the target load, though his output has fluctuated throughout his career.
Depth options include Ejani Shakir, a NJCAA standout who tallied 43 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns, and Ryan Manning, a former three‑star recruit whose limited production belies his potential as a quick playmaker. Jordan Scott, a tall prospect transferring from Florida State, could become a jump‑ball threat in the red zone, while Zymear Smith, a redshirted four‑star recruit, is projected to break out in 2026.
High school signees Jayden Kitchens and Josiah Teasley may see limited snaps early, but both possess the upside to climb the rotation. Jackson Hamilton, a former mobile quarterback recruit, could inject a burst of agility into the position group. Head coach Mike Locksley has indicated that the battle for the top target will hinge on the chemistry between Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding and Chris Durr Jr., with Malik Washington relying on that duo while Kaleb Webb and the depth chart provide supplementary options.