Recently, Testudo Times has taken in-depth looks into Maryland football’s quarterback, running back and wide receiver rooms. As the season inches closer, we now turn to examine the Terps’ final — and perhaps most important — skill position group, the tight ends.
In 2025, Maryland’s tight end room had a smaller impact than some expected.
Part of that lesser-sized impact was simply down to numbers. The Terps began the season with only five tight ends on the roster. They gained a sixth when defensive lineman Daniel Owens flipped sides of the field midseason.
Part of that was also statistical. Despite the volume of passing attempts from quarterback Malik Washington, the Terps’ tight ends had just 49 catches on the year — just under 18% of Washington’s completions.
With several talented wide receivers out the door and talent remaining in the tight end room, there’s a strong argument to be made that those numbers will go up this year.
Perhaps the strongest argument in favor of a bigger year for Maryland’s tight ends is the one scheming plays for them. Offensive coordinator Clint Trickett has been vocal about his appreciation for tight ends. He also established his pedigree with the position when, from 2017-2019, he helped develop Florida Atlantic University’s Harrison Bryant into the winner of the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding tight end.
Led by Dorian Fleming, a preseason watch list nominee for the same positional award this season, and running 50% deeper in 2026, the Terps’ tight end room is in a position to make an impact.
NameYear2025 StatsDorian FlemingRedshirt Junior40 catches, 351 yards, 3 TDPreston HowardRedshirt Senior10 catches, 84 yards (at Auburn)AJ SzymanskiSenior5 catches, 32 yards, 1 TDThomas McCluskeyRedshirt JuniorN/A (7 games played)JT TaggartSophomoreN/A (11 games played)Daniel OwensRedshirt Senior3 tackles (9 games played)Javonte WilliamsFreshmanHigh school (3-star)Damon Hall Jr. FreshmanHigh school (3-star)Brayden MarkoFreshmanHigh school (3-star)The big twoIn a conversation with former managing editor Matt Germack in March, offensive coordinator Clint Trickett called top tight ends Fleming and Preston Howard “Swiss Army knives.” The coach compared the plan for them to how the 49ers use tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who line up just about everywhere along the line of scrimmage.
Fleming likely comes into the season as the first option. The honorable mention All-Big Ten player had a pair of steady hands and was willing to do the dirty work. He had 40 of Maryland’s 49 tight end receptions in 2025, and that rapport with Washington will only help his case.
Preston Howard was a priority piece the Terps wanted to bring back, though. Howard’s return to College Park, where he spent his first three years, after transferring to Auburn for a season is a new wrinkle for college football in the transfer portal era. According to the program’s staff, the redshirt senior’s leadership abilities were just as important in the decision to bring Howard back as his on-field ability, which remains high.
Howard didn’t put up a stellar stat line at Auburn; his 2024 numbers — 24 catches for 189 yards for Maryland — are likely closer to the expectation for his final year of collegiate football. Like Fleming, he is a better pass-catcher than blocker, but he is willing to do it all.
The sizable list behind themAlongside Howard, three freshmen tight ends joined the team, turning what was a thin position room this time a year ago into a full one. Maryland lost just one tight end over the offseason: its primary blocking tight end and tertiary receiving option, Leon Haughton Jr.
Both of those responsibilities likely now fall to senior AJ Szymanski. At the very least, his role as primary people-mover should not come into question — Szymanski’s lone touchdown catch in 2025 appeared to come in large part because the Washington defense did not expect him to peel out from his block.
Maryland’s other returners will likely have smaller roles. Former defensive lineman Owens’ move to tight end came with limited usage there, and his role entering 2026 is unknown. JT Taggart and Thomas McCluskey saw limited action last season, with the majority coming on special teams. Any of the three could be options for heavy formations.
Three three-star freshmen round out the room. Any of the trio could have feasibly seen snaps in 2025, but they will need to break through the consolidation of experienced depth to get action in 2026.
The youth infusion comes with a local flavor — 6-foot-6 Brayden Marko is the least local of the new recruits, and he’s from New Market, roughly an hour’s drive from SECU Stadium.
Baltimore native Damon Hall Jr. was ranked the No. 31 tight end in the 2026 class by ESPN, while new teammate and Damascus native Javonte Williams was the No. 20-ranked prospect at the position. Both chose the Terps over several other power-conference teams.
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