Maryland football: Caleb Rowe, 4 other expected starters receive medical redshirts

Eight Maryland football players, including quarterback Caleb Rowe, received NCAA medical hardship waivers, Randy Edsall announced Wednesday (per the Post). Quarterback Caleb Rowe, defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson, tight end Andrew Isaacs, outside linebacker Cavon Walker, wide receiver Taivon Jacobs, running back Albert Reid, defensive back Alvin Hill and defensive back Daniel Ezeagwu will all receive an extra year of eligibility.

Rowe has played in parts of three seasons while with Maryland, throwing 12 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 13 games while completing 53.7 percent of his passes for 7.7 yards per attempt. He is expected to start at quarterback for the Terrapins this fall, and will now have two years of eligibility remaining.

All of this is good news, but this one's the best for Maryland -- if Rowe graduated after 2015, the quarterback picture in 2016 would have frankly been terrifying. Now with an extra year of Rowe as a cushion, there's less pressure on incoming freshmen (like four-star target Dwayne Haskins) or long-term projects (like Shane Cockerille or Gage Shaffer) to put it together immediately.

Jefferson has recorded 68 tackles (nine for a loss) and four sacks in his three years with Maryland, the last of which was cut short by injury. He is expected to compete for one of the four starting defensive line positions when he returns to health, and will now have two years of eligibility remaining.

A former highly-coveted recruit out of Connecticut, Isaacs played 11 games as a true freshman in 2013 before emerging as the team's top tight end in 2014. He was hurt four games into the season, catching two passes for three yards, and will have three years of eligibility remaining. He's likely the favorite to start at tight end, but will be competing with P.J. Gallo and Derrick Hayward.

Walker was hurt two games into last season and will also have three years remaining. He has recorded 15 tackles in two years and is one of the favorites to start at an outside linebacker position.

A Signing Day flip from Ohio State, Jacobs is one of the most talented players on the Maryland roster -- and not many fans have seen him play. After missing the 2013 season due to injury, Jacobs suffered a season-ending injury while starting against James Madison in the 2014 season opener. Edsall said the receiver could get a sixth year down the line: if so, he would have four years remaining. He is expected to be a favorite for one of the three starting wide receiver positions.

Reid has rushed for 447 yards and three touchdowns over his three years with the school, and his extra year of eligibility could make a big difference in the Terps' backfield stability. Wes Brown and Reid each have two years remaining, and with new running backs coach Terry Richardson that could be an interesting unit to watch this season (and next).

After two years as a reserve cornerback, Hill earned a starting job opposite Will Likely in spring camp before the 2014 season. He recorded 13 tackles with an interception and three pass deflections in four games before suffering a season-ending injury. He'll likely be the team's third cornerback behind Likely and Sean Davis this season, and will have two years remaining.

Ezeagwu was one of the few true freshmen who played last season, but will still have four years of eligibility remaining. The cornerback played in four games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, and will likely compete with Jarrett Ross for playing time as a fourth cornerback.