Expected Maryland starting quarterback Caleb Rowe could have two years left to play, head coach Randy Edsall said on The Sports Junkies' radio show Thursday morning. Edsall has applied for a waiver for the quarterback, and appears confident in the player's chances. Rowe has played in each of the last three seasons, but likely will receive a medical redshirt for his true freshman year in 2012, when he played in just two games before suffering an injury.
Rowe is almost a shoo-in to replace C.J. Brown as the Terps' starter this season, and the extra year of eligibility would help add some stability to the position for the Terrapins. Rising junior Perry Hills and rising sophomore Shane Cockerille join true freshman Gage Shaffer as the only other quarterbacks on the roster, and none of them have emerged as a potential comfortable starting option for 2016.
A former three-star prospect from South Carolina, Rowe has played in 12 games in his Maryland career. He has completed 53.7 percent of his passes for 7.7 yards per attempt, with 12 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. An improved offensive line with three blue-chip prospects could help the 6'3 gunslinger stay on his feet and avoid the pressure he saw in his first three seasons.
On the recruiting trail, it's still Dwayne Haskins or bust for Maryland at quarterback in 2016, but having Rowe back for another year would add some security to the position, whether the blue-chip local commits or not. If Haskins does pledge to Maryland, he could compete with Rowe for the starting job right away, although 2017 (as a redshirt freshman or true sophomore) could be the target year for him to take over.