In the past few weeks, Testudo Times has taken in-depth looks into Maryland football’s quarterback and running back rooms. As the season inches closer, we now turn to examine the Terps’ drastically altered wideout landscape.
Maryland football’s offensive miscues were a glaring issue last season despite a veteran-laden wide receiver room — seniors Shaleak Knotts, Jalil Farooq and Octavian Smith Jr. were the top weapons.
The Terps led the nation with 39 dropped passes, failing to support freshman quarterback Malik Washington at times. Maryland’s pass attack, which finished as one of the top units in the Big Ten, sputtered in the fourth quarter during the losing streak.
Potential game-winning drives against Washington and Nebraska stalled out in opposing territory. The Terps totaled just 98 passing yards against Rutgers — their lowest total since 2022. Those struggles played a major role in Maryland’s downfall in Big Ten play.
With just 37.8% of the Terps’ receiving production returning, Washington’s top target this season will likely come from a battle between two portal additions: Old Dominion transfer Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding and Wyoming transfer Chris Durr Jr.
NameYear2025 statsNa’eem Abdul-Rahim GladdingJunior51 catches, 667 yards, 6 TDs (at Old Dominion)Chris Durr Jr.Junior45 catches, 469 yards, 4 TDs (at Wyoming)Kaleb WebbRedshirt Senior22 catches, 318 yards, 2 TDsRyan ManningRedshirt Junior3 catches, 25 yardsEjani ShakirJunior43 catches, 724 yards, 6 TDs (at Independence C.C.) Justin DeVaughnRedshirt FreshmanN/A (Redshirted)Jordan ScottSenior1 catch, 10 yardsSean WilliamsRedshirt JuniorN/A (3 games played)Emerson SmithRedshirt SophomoreN/A (1 game played)Zymear SmithRedshirt Freshman2 catches, -6 yardsJayden KitchensFreshmanHigh school (3-star)Josiah TeasleyFreshmanHigh school (3-star)Jackson HamiltonRedshirt FreshmanN/A (Redshirted)A two-man raceWhile Washington built a connection with multiple wide receivers in 2025, none emerged as his clear No. 1 option. Knotts led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, with Farooq and Smith Jr. not far behind.
That balance will likely persist this season — but with two frontrunners instead.
Gladding, who wrapped up a promising sophomore season at Old Dominion, posted a team-high 51 catches and six touchdowns. His 667 receiving yards last year would have ranked second on Maryland.
Despite his smaller frame, Gladding’s strongest tool is his ability to make defenders miss in the open field. He produced 205 yards after the catch in 2025, utilizing his speed near the line of scrimmage. Gladding should bolster Maryland’s screen passing game, which struggled last year.
Durr was a bright spot in one of the worst passing offenses in the country. While Wyoming finished with the 24th-fewest passing yards per game last season, he led the team with 45 catches, 469 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Similar to Gladding, Durr caught most of his passes on short throws — 38 of his 45 receptions came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. But he turned those quick passes into big gains, accumulating 297 yards after the catch.
Durr was one of Washington’s most targeted players during the spring showcase, suggesting the pair have built a good relationship during the offseason.
The top returnerWith Maryland’s top three weapons graduating, Kaleb Webb will likely step into a larger role this season.
Webb hauled in 22 catches for 318 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2025 — his best performance came in the season finale, when he recorded seven catches for 77 yards. Despite transferring in from Tennessee last season, Webb only started three games.
But the upside for a breakout season is there.
Standing at 6-foot-5, Webb was a deep ball threat for Washington last year. He drew nine downfield targets, including a pair of 20-yard touchdown receptions. While Webb committed two drops, he remains the team’s top contested-catch option.
Depth candidatesWhile the Terps’ starting receiver core is likely settled, the options for targets behind those three are wide open.
Ryan Manning is the top candidate to see regular playing time. A former three-star recruit, Manning’s production has been limited during his two seasons. He managed just eight receptions across his 15 appearances.
But the undersized weapon fits well into offensive coordinator Clint Trickett’s scheme focused on getting players in space. Manning is a quick receiver with the capability to turn short passes into explosive chunk plays.
Justin DeVaughn contributes similar tools to Manning; he is a dual-sport athlete in track and field. While DeVaughn redshirted his freshman season, he posted the second-fastest 110-meter hurdles time in program history this spring. That pace should elevate Maryland’s short-yardage playbook and add a dimension as a deep ball threat.
While Ejani Shakir hasn’t proven his talent in Division I, he totaled the highest receiving yards in 2025 — albeit at the NJCAA level. Shakir, who originally committed to Penn State out of high school, opted to go the community college route. That move paid off, as he registered 43 catches, 724 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Jordan Scott is another intriguing prospect. After transferring in from Florida State last season, Scott only had one catch for 10 yards in 2025. But at 6-foot-7, he is the tallest option for Washington and could present a danger in jump-ball situations in the end zone.
Young talentZymear Smith, a flipped four-star Alabama commit, only appeared in two games last season before opting to redshirt. Still, the Ridgely, Maryland, native could become a breakout star for the Terps in 2026.
Jayden Kitchens and Josiah Teasley are Maryland’s lone wide receiver commits, both St. James Academy products. While the duo will likely redshirt, they could see snaps during nonconference play and have the upside to climb into the Terps’ rotation.
The son of former offensive coordinator and offensive assistant Pep Hamilton, Jackson Hamilton transitioned to wide receiver during training camp. The former mobile quarterback recruit offers a quick burst that could translate to his new position.
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