Maryland’s redshirt sophomore receivers look to finally crack the rotation in 2019

This summer at Testudo Times, we’re previewing Maryland football one position group at a time. We started with quarterbacks and spent last week on running backs, and now we’re focusing on wide receivers.

After an overview of the group on Monday, Lila wrote about Jeshaun Jones Tuesday and Thomas profiled the trio of sophomores Wednesday and Sean looked at the slot receivers on Thursday. Today, I’ll look at a group of redshirt sophomores who are trying to break through.

Jayden Comma, No. 10

Height: 6’2
Weight: 210
Year: Redshirt sophomore
Hometown: Roswell, Ga.
High school: Roswell HS

MJ Jarrell, No. 19

Height: 6’1
Weight: 188
Year: Redshirt sophomore
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
High school: Timber Creek

Carlos Carriere, No. 83

Height: 6’4
Weight: 184
Year: Redshirt sophomore
Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
High school: Alpharetta HS

The background

All three were part of a group of five wide receivers who committed in the first full recruiting class for former head coach DJ Durkin.

Carriere was the first to come aboard, verbally committing to the Terrapins in May 2016 as the No. 108 wide receiver in the country and the No. 78 player in Georgia, according to the 247Sports Composite. Jarrell, the No. 170 receiver in the country and No. 180 player in Florida, followed a few weeks later. Comma was the last of the trio to commit, joining Maryland’s class in November as the No. 97 wideout in the country and No. 66 player in Georgia.

All three have struggled to contribute on offense.

Four of the five freshman wideouts in 2017 redshirted, with only Tahj Capehart seeing the field. With DJ Moore becoming a first-round pick and Jacquille Veii graduating, they were thrust into an open competition for playing time. But Durkin also brought in four wide receivers in the 2018 recruiting class, and all four leapfrogged their 2017 counterparts.

While Brian Cobbs, Dontay Demus, Darryl Jones and Jeshaun Jones all saw significant snaps last year, Carriere, Comma, Jarrell and Sean Nelson did not. The four true freshmen combined for 49 receptions last season, while the four redshirt freshmen had none and have not recorded a catch in their careers. Jarrell still has not seen game action at Maryland, and Comma and Carriere appeared in seven and four games on special teams last year, respectively.

They face another uphill battle for playing time.

After the four true freshmen overtook the redshirt freshmen on the depth chart last year, it stayed that way throughout the season and continued this spring. Despite all three showing promise, it’s hard to see them seeing the field much on offense in 2019. A new coaching staff means the chance for a fresh start, but there are only so many passes a team can throw.

The 6’4 Carriere should see time as a backup, though Demus already made an impression with some tough catches last year and packs a little more bulk than Carriere at the same height. He did have five catches for 56 yards in the spring game, though, which is an encouraging sign as he heads into fall camp.

The best path to playing time is likely on special teams, where the trio can use their speed to potentially track down opposing returners. However, the start of the season is still two months away, and a lot can happen between now and when Maryland takes the field against Howard on Aug. 31.