Tyler DeSue enrolled early at Maryland, but isn’t in the starting plans for 2018

Quarterbacks Week marches on, after looking at the rehabbing Tyrrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill and last year's de facto starter Max Bortenschlager. Next up: the youngest arm in Maryland‘s stable.

Instead of spending this spring in high school, Tyler DeSue graduated early and enrolled at Maryland. With Pigrome and Hill still recovering from ACL surgeries, he spent spring ball as Bortenschlager’s No. 2, getting some early reps.

Tyler DeSue, QB, No. 13

Height: 6’1
Weight: 210 lbs.
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
High school: Bishop Sullivan

The background

DeSue represents another link in the Bishop Sullivan-to-UMD pipeline, joining three other high school teammates in College Park. Head coach DJ Durkin has recruited consistently at the school, inking three alumni in the prior cycle in wideout Tahj Capehart and defensive linemen Brandon and Breyon Gaddy.

The 6’1 dual-threat QB was one of the building blocks of the 2018 class, committing in April 2017 and signing as a three-star during the first ever early signing period. He chose the Terps over UCF and NC State, then later decided to join the team early.

He should have time to develop.

DeSue did not look ready to immediately face a college defense this spring, but that’s perfectly fine. If all goes according to plan, either Pigrome or Hill will win back the starting spot after recovering, and the freshman will battle Bortenschlager to be the No. 3 guy.

Bortenschlager holds the experience edge, so Durkin’s staff will likely look to redshirt the Virginia native if possible. If DeSue is ready, though, Durkin has made it known he’s open to playing freshmen.

DeSue has some arm strength, and is decidedly more mobile than Bortenschlager, but could stand to spend a year adjusting to the pace of college football and working through reads quicker. A redshirt year getting accustomed to new offensive coordinator Matt Canada‘s system seems the likeliest outcome.

He’s not a terrible third or fourth option.

In the perfect world, DeSue doesn’t see the field for at least a year, due to depth. However, he signed to Maryland football, meaning nothing is guaranteed at the quarterback position. With Pigrome, Hill and Bortenschlager all toting more experience, they should lead the depth chart. But if it hits the fan, DeSue is a pretty solid “break glass” option.

He committed to the Terps as a four-star prospect, and even though his rating dipped before signing, he led Bishop Sullivan to an above-.500 record against national competition. He’s also already spent the spring learning the offense from the backup position. The freshman obviously left some crispness and accuracy to be desired, but that’s to be expected, and those traits should come with experience.

If Maryland is starting DeSue at some point this season, something has likely gone wrong ... again. However, he’s a good developmental piece that should get to develop in Canada’s system.