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Our summer football preview series is in full swing. After looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, we’re spending this week on the offensive line. This week, we’ve already looked at the left tackles, left guards, and centers, and now it’s time to switch over to the right side of the line.
Terrance Davis split time with Brendan Moore last year as a junior, but should take back the starting role he had as a freshman and sophomore during his final season in College Park. Like many other parts of the line, the right guard depth chart fills out with inexperienced players looking to prove themselves. Redshirt freshman Evan Gregory looks to be the backup headed into fall camp, and junior college transfer Parris Heath could factor in as well.
The starter: Terrance Davis, No. 75
Height: 6’3
Weight: 310
Year: Senior
Hometown: Temple Hills, Md.
High school: DeMatha Catholic
Davis was the highest-rated commit in Maryland’s 2016 recruiting class, committing to the Terps a little more than a month after DJ Durkin was hired. He came to College Park as the No. 74 overall prospect, the No. 3 offensive guard and the No. 2 player in Maryland, according to the 247 Sports Composite.
It didn’t take long for him to make an impact, as he appeared in every game during his freshman campaign and started the last nine at right guard. He then started every game at the position his sophomore year, and was possibly the Terps’ most consistent offensive lineman.
But things never quite clicked for Davis in 2018. He sat out the spring after undergoing offseason surgery, and had a limited role against Texas and Bowling Green and sat out against Temple while he continued to recover. Davis started the next six games at right guard before missing the final three games of the season with an injury. This spring, though, he was a full participant and looked to be back as the full-time starter at right guard.
The backup: Evan Gregory, No. 52
Height: 6’4
Weight: 306
Year: Redshirt freshman
Hometown: Hyattsville, Md.
High school: DeMatha Catholic
Davis will be joined on the depth chart by a former DeMatha teammate. Gregory committed to Maryland on April 22, 2017, minutes before the start of the spring game. His teammate — and now, fellow offensive lineman — Austin Fontaine joined him minutes later.
The No. 19 offensive guard and No. 10 player in the state of Maryland spent his first year on the bench, adding 20 pounds to his frame and adjusting to the demands of the college game. If Davis returns to the rock-solid form of his freshman and sophomore years, then Gregory probably won’t see the field much. However, if Davis’ injury-filled 2018 is more of a trend than a blip on the radar, then the young lineman will have a chance to prove whether he’ll be a part of Maryland’s future.
Parris Heath, No. 69
Height: 6’4
Weight: 325
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Spring Valley, N.Y.
Previous school: Ramapo College of New Jersey
Maryland was Heath’s only Power 5 offer, and he committed to the Terps just eight days after verbally committing to Louisiana Tech. It’s hard to know what kind of impact he’ll have, especially since he wasn’t at spring practice and the Big Ten is a huge step up from junior college competition. Heath already has the frame to be a Division I offensive lineman, and should at minimum provide depth for a position group that needs it.