Alabama Crimson Tide

Maryland Football: Christmas Wish List

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:30 p.m. ET

Fansided, Chris Bengel/FanSided via Terrapin Station

The Maryland football team finished with a 6-6 record in their first season under the direction of D.J. Durkin.

Durkin brought a very experienced coaching staff to College Park and the Terrapins already saw a three-win increase from the 2015 campaign. That was achieved with a majority of the same parts and without star cornerback William Likely for half the season.

Maryland really is trending in the right direction as they will play in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26.

With the holiday season in full swing, we decided to come up with three items that Terp fans would want for Christmas this year. Leave your comments if there’s any additional gifts that you’d like the football program to receive in the coming weeks.

Nov 26, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Ty Johnson (6) runs with the ball as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Blessuan Austin (10) defends in the third quarter at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. The Terrapins won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports

Win the Quick Lane Bowl

Former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis said it best: “just win baby.”

Maryland is set to face off with Boston College in the Quick Lane Bowl next Monday. While it’s not the most glamorous bowl game in the world, it’s still a game that would be a huge feather in the cap for the Terps.

Durkin has already improved the program in just a year’s time. As we’ve seen since the season ended, recruits are buying in to the turnaround.

After all, Maryland just secured a commitment from St. John’s College (D.C.) linebacker Kofi Wardlow. Wardlow is the third Cadet that the Terps have received a pledge from in the 2017 class.

Durkin has been working his magic on the recruiting trail, despite losing five-star defensive Joshua Kaindoh a few weeks ago. A postseason win would certainly keeping the positive momentum going and maybe even sway a few undecided recruits in Maryland’s direction.

Oct 29, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach D. J. Durkin high fives his players after they stopped a Indiana Hoosiers first down during the first half of the game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

An Anthony McFarland commitment

Maryland has been chasing the DeMatha standout for quite some time.

Star running back Anthony McFarland announced a top three of Alabama, Maryland, and Miami (Fla.) earlier this month. To be honest, those have been the schools that have been connected with him the most throughout his recruitment.

McFarland missed his senior year with the Stags due to a fractured fibula.

The Crimson Tide are obviously always a threat for any four-star’s services, but things could change. Offensive analyst and former Maryland offensive coordinator Mike Locksley could be on the move.

Reports had Locksley joining Lane Kiffin’s staff at Florida Atlantic, but that hasn’t happened yet. The two spent the 2016 season working together at Alabama, so a connection isn’t exactly surprising.

Whether or not Locksley joins Kiffin’s staff remains to be the same. However, if he does leave Alabama, McFarland could elect to commit to the Hurricanes or Terps much sooner than many think.

If he’s not scheduled to suit up for the Under Armour All-American Game next month, McFarland could still announce his decision that day and hopefully it’ll be in favor of Maryland.

Oct 8, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins William Likely III (4) runs with the ball on a punt return during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Maryland 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Will Likely drafted

Maryland has had a good run the last two seasons in terms of players being selected in the NFL Draft.

In the 2015 Draft, Stefon Diggs was picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round and Darius Kilgo was scooped up by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round. Last year, Sean Davis (Pittsburgh Steelers, Round 2), Yannick Ngakoue (Jacksonville Jaguars, Round 3), and Quinton Jefferson (Seattle Seahawks, Round 5) were taken.

It’s definitely not as cut and dry in the 2017 installment.

It’s probably a solid bet that cornerback Will Likely will be picked somewhere on the third day (Round 3-7). Likely could’ve been a Day Two selection with a strong 2016 season, but his campaign was cut short due to a torn ACL.

During his time in College Park, Likely has proved to be one of the most lethal kick/punt returners in the college football ranks. Despite his size, he’s also had a tremendous amount of success in pass coverage.

NFL teams could be frightened by the severe knee injury that Likely suffered. However, a guy with that type of talent is definitely worth taking a gamble on in the late rounds.

Likely is a good bet to be the only Terp selected in the 2017 Draft. Maybe with a good Scouting Combine, Michael Dunn could make some noise, but he’s likely an undrafted free agent.

The Maryland football fan base will be happy to have another Terp hearing his name called in the spring.