After a relatively quiet start to college football's free agency season for Maryland football's starters, a significant shift has occurred in the past two days. Two key players have now entered the portal, sending ripples through the team.

Unraveling Maryland Football's Tight End Departures and Their Impact

Tight End Preston Howard's Journey

The 6-foot-4, 231-pound Arbutus native, Preston Howard, had been projected for a potential breakout season. This season, he managed 24 catches for 189 yards and no touchdowns. However, he frequently faced injuries, which hindered his ability to showcase his big-play potential. His per-catch average dropped from 12.3 yards a year earlier to 7.9. During his Terps career, he topped 40 receiving yards in just two games. Howard, a converted high school quarterback from Baltimore's McDonogh School, did flash impressive athleticism for his size in certain moments.He shared time this season with Dylan Wade, a Florida native who joined the team one year after Howard in Maryland football's 2023 recruiting class. Howard ranked fifth on the team in receptions with 29 and third in receiving yards with 374, catching two touchdown passes. His speed at 6-2, 226 pounds was impressive, leading the team with 12.9 yards per catch. His departure leaves a significant void that will need to be filled.

Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.'s Decision

Billy Edwards Jr.'s announcement of leaving the team also added to the recent developments. His departure comes at a time when the team is looking to build and strengthen its roster. Edwards Jr. had his role and contributions within the team, and his departure will require the coaching staff to make adjustments in the quarterback position.

Impact on Maryland Football

The departures of Howard and Edwards Jr. have implications for Maryland football. Tight end has been a position with frequent departures in the past few years, with standouts like CJ Dippre (Alabama) and Corey Dyches (Cal) leaving previously. Mike Locksley's offense has always been a plug-and-play setup for tight ends, but the loss of these players still requires the coaching staff to address and find suitable replacements.Maryland's staff was prepared for these moves and will be hosting multiple transfers at the tight end position. The team needs to ensure a smooth transition and maintain stability in the position.Bookmark the Maryland football transfer portal tracker to stay updated on the comings and goings. Sign up for our free Maryland sports and recruiting email newsletter to never miss any Terps news.Before you go:- Save $20 on your SeatGeek purchase of tickets to Maryland games or any major events with code “IMS” at checkout!- Get the latest Terps news delivered to your inbox FREE! Sign up for our email newsletter here and stay informed on Maryland basketball, football, recruiting and every other Terps storyline.- Support Maryland basketball's recruiting and player-retention efforts by joining TurtleNIL!- Follow IMS on Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok and Instagram.- Don't miss any of our new video Terps content: Subscribe to InsideMDSports on YouTube and hit the notification bell so you know when new videos drop.- Need a go-to Terps podcast? Listen to IMS Radio here, watch earlier episodes here and don't forget to subscribe to IMS Radio on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon Music | TuneIn | Apple Podcasts.