clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Maryland vs. West Virginia Depth Chart: the Taivon Jacobs show makes its debut in Baltimore

After two injuries in the win against UConn, Maryland has two new starters this week.

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland has released their weekly depth chart for this weekend's upcoming clash with West Virginia, with some expected changes.

  • After Dexter McDougle's season-ending injury, Isaac Goins and Will Likely are now the two starting cornerbacks.
  • That means Alvin Hill and Jarrett Ross are the backups. A.J. Hendy remains at safety, but it would be a surprise not to see him get time at corner against the Mountaineers.
  • Malcolm Culmer is now starting at one of the outside receiver positions, in place of the injured Nigel King.
  • True freshman Taivon Jacobs, a former four-star recruit who was one of the stars of this year's class, will be his backup.
Likely and Goins are more than capable starters, but the worry for Maryland comes at the three and four. Hill, a true sophomore, got beat pretty badly on two straight plays against Connecticut (that combined for eight points) and Ross is a true freshman that has seen very little time on defense this season. Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has more than shown his chops, however, and will likely be able to devise some scheme to battle West Virginia's spread attack.

Likely has been a star for the Terps thus far this season, with 16 tackles (one-and-a-half for a loss), two passes broken up, and 38.3 yards per kick return. The former JuCo transfer Goins, a senior, has 12 tackles and one interception on the year.

Hill has five tackles on the year, and had one for a loss as a true freshman last season. Ross has four tackles on the young season.

The more interesting note, for me anyway, is Jacobs as the backup wide receiver. The true freshman struggled with injuries throughout camp, but is one of the more talented players on the roster -- remember, he decommitted from Ohio State to be a Terp.

Culmer, a redshirt freshman, caught his first career pass against Connecticut Saturday -- a 26-yarder.