Reports: Three Top Quarterbacks Battling To Start For Terrapins As Opener Nears
On Wednesday afternoon, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. dropped back during a throwing session and aimed a pass at wide receiver Kaden Prather. The senior starter leaped towards the right corner of the end zone to make a spectacular catch, but the ball flew just out of his reach.
Shortly after, MJ Morris took his turn in the passing drill at the Terrapins’ football facility. He made a short throw to wide receiver Tai Felton, who caught the ball against his chest and shuffled in the back of the end zone before being pushed out of bounds by his momentum.
During the media-accessible portion of training camp, the other five quarterbacks received limited opportunities, while Edwards, Morris, and Cameron Edge took most of the snaps in the ongoing competition for the starting position, which began in the spring and remains open as preseason progresses.
“Each player has shown some impressive skills,” said Maryland Coach Michael Locksley, now in his sixth year. “After the scrimmage this past weekend, it’s clear that they all understand the system well. I’m not ready to say that one player is ahead of the others just yet, but considering the past two weeks of camp and how each has performed with different units, I feel optimistic about the overall direction of the group.”
It remains uncertain who will start for Maryland in their opener against Connecticut on August 31 at SECU Stadium, at least outside of the locker room. Coach Locksley hinted that he may keep the decision under wraps until the offense takes the field for the first play.
However, he mentioned that players will be informed by August 25. Keeping the announcement private would force the Huskies to prepare for quarterbacks with different skill sets.
Locksley has been gathering data through detailed drive charts during each practice and has been closely involved in the quarterbacks’ room since taking on the role of overseeing that position in the search for a successor to four-year starter Taulia Tagovailoa, the Big Ten’s career passing leader who holds nearly every significant passing record for the Terrapins.
“One downside of being a head coach for me is the loneliness of not having my own room,” Locksley said. “I used to meet with Lia at night when everyone else was gone, almost like a secret. Now, having my own room and a group of guys to work with daily is fantastic. It gives me a better perspective on what they know, rather than trying to interpret their understanding through one-on-one meetings.”
Edwards is the only quarterback on the roster with starting experience at Maryland. The redshirt junior last started in the Music City Bowl, leading the Terrapins to a 31-13 victory over Auburn. He threw for 126 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 50 yards and another touchdown, earning him the most outstanding player award.
He started two games in 2022, the first on October 22 against Northwestern when Tagovailoa was injured, and he recorded 232 yards of total offense and one touchdown in a 31-24 win. Edwards (from Lake Braddock High) also began the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, taking the first series in place of Tagovailoa.
Last season, Locksley and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis used Edwards in goal-line situations to minimize wear on Tagovailoa. Edwards responded well, leading the Terrapins with seven rushing touchdowns, including three one-yard runs during a 31-24 loss to the eventual national champion Michigan on November 18 at SECU Stadium.
Throughout spring practices and the beginning of training camp, Locksley has been careful to emphasize that Edwards shouldn’t be labeled solely as a running quarterback, highlighting his passing skills as well. However, statistics tell a different story; as a transfer from Wake Forest, Edwards has completed 50 percent of his passes during his two seasons at Maryland.
On the other hand, Morris transferred to College Park after starting seven games over two seasons at North Carolina State. The redshirt sophomore had his most successful stretch last year, leading the Wolfpack to victories over Marshall, Clemson, and Miami from October 7 to November 4.
In 2022, Morris became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for N.C. State since Philip Rivers in 2000.
“We rotate every day and give each guy snaps regularly,” said Terrapins center Josh Kaltenberger, a graduate transfer from Purdue who is anchoring a revamped offensive line. “They’re all doing a fantastic job. Coach Locksley has a tough decision ahead of him.”