clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Who’s the best wide receiver in Maryland football history?

You decide.

It’s Receivers Week at Testudo Times. Just like we did with quarterbacks and running backs, we’re taking a look at some of the best to ever play the position for Maryland.

Here are the nominees:

Torrey Smith

One of the biggest stars of the 2000s, Smith was a jack of all trades, compiling the most all-purpose yards (5,264) in program history over his three seasons in College Park. His three kickoff returns for touchdowns are the most ever by a Terp, as are his 1,309 career kickoff return yards. He was first and foremost a go-to receiver, finishing his career No. 3 in receptions and receiving yards, No. 2 in receiving touchdowns and tied for second with seven 100-yard games.

The 2010 All-ACC First Teamer’s 12 touchdowns are the most in a season, and his 1,055 yards are second only to Marcus Badgett’s 1,240-yard record, set in 1992. His four receiving touchdowns against NC State are the most a Terp has ever caught in a game.

Stefon Diggs

“I want to win championships. I want to win bowl games. And where else is a better place to do it than in your city?” Diggs said in 2012 when he committed to Maryland, effectively starting what we know now as “The Movement.” While he didn’t win a bowl game or a championship in College Park, he was as dynamic a player and inspired a group of youngsters that are making Maryland’s current recruiting classes as good as they are.

That may be good enough for a spot on its own, but Diggs also finished his career at No. 2 with 2,227 receiving yards, No. 4 with 150 career receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns and tied for fifth with six 100-yard receiving games. His six receiving touchdowns and 848 yards are the most ever for a freshman.

The former five-star recruit was also a dynamic return man, leaving Maryland at No. 3 in all purpose yards (4,106), No. 5 in career kickoff return yards (1,472), and tied for second with two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. His outstanding 2012 season landed him on the Football Writers Association First Team All-Freshman.

Darrius Heyward-Bey

The former No. 7 overall pick’s 96-yard reception against Miami in 2006 and 76-yard run against Clemson in 2008 are the longest touchdown reception and non-scoring run in school history, respectively.

The speedster is also No. 5 in career receptions and receiving touchdowns and No. 4 in career yards. Heyward-Bey’s 2006 season earned him Sporting News All-Freshman honors.

Geroy Simon

His 16 receptions against Florida State in 1995 are the most a Terp has ever had in a game. Simon’s then-ACC record 77 receptions in 1994 are the most in a season, which helped him to being the second all-time leading receiver in Maryland history with 185 receptions. All those catches led him to being No. 5 in receiving yards in a season in 1994 and in career yards.

Jermaine Lewis

Lewis’ 2,932 receiving yards, 21 receiving touchdowns, 193 receptions, two 200-yard games and 15 100-yard games are all program bests. For some context on the 100-yard games stat, Smith is his closest competition with seven. Lewis’ 1993 and 1995 seasons are Nos. 3 and 4 on the all-time receiving yardage list, while his 957-yard 1993 season is the most ever by a sophomore.

Lewis is also No. 4 with 3,950 career all-purpose yards. In his senior season in 1995, he was named First Team All-ACC.

Honorable mention: Frank Wychek, Ferrell Edmunds and Vernon Davis for being great receiving non-receivers, Azizuddin Abdur-Ra’oof (Ra’oof, Ra’oof is on fire!) Marcus Badgett

Poll

Who do you think is the best receiver in Terps history?

This poll is closed

  • 36%
    Torrey Smith
    (522 votes)
  • 26%
    Stefon Diggs
    (379 votes)
  • 5%
    Darrius Heyward-Bey
    (72 votes)
  • 0%
    Geroy Simon
    (13 votes)
  • 26%
    Jermaine Lewis
    (383 votes)
  • 3%
    Other—comment your answer
    (53 votes)
1422 votes total Vote Now