A Promising Secondary Emerges in College Park
Maryland’s secondary has already drawn attention for its depth at cornerback, but the safety position is where the Terrapins see a chance to cement a future star.
Messiah Delhomme’s Breakout Potential
At the heart of that conversation is sophomore safety Messiah Delhomme, who burst onto the scene as a freshman with 39 tackles, four pass breakups, an interception, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss.
Delhomme’s recruitment story adds intrigue; the four‑star prospect chose the University of Maryland over powerhouse programs such as Ohio State, Alabama and Florida State, signaling a recruiting coup for the Terps.
Competition and Depth Behind the Starters
The other starting safety spot is far from settled. Redshirt senior Lavain Scruggs returns after starting all 12 games last season, posting 64 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups, while sophomore Jayden Shipps, a true freshman last year, contributed 11 tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry.
Adding depth, true freshman Darrell Carey arrives as the No. 12 player in Maryland and the No. 35 safety nationally in the 2026 class according to 247Sports, while redshirt sophomore Gavin Edwards appeared in every game a year ago, providing veteran experience.
Coaches say the unit’s success will hinge on Delhomme’s continued development and how quickly the newcomers can translate preseason promise into game‑day production.
If the safety corps can gel, Maryland could boast one of the most dynamic defensive backfields in the conference, blending youthful upside with seasoned reliability.