3.) Maryland
Maryland’s secondary is going to be a lot better than most folks realize, but like every single season under Edsall so far, that’ll only happen if they’re healthy. Safety Sean Davis is really talented, has great size, and racked up 102 tackles last year and two pickles. He’s joined by true sophomore William Likely, a four-star DB who, were he an inch taller, would have been a five-star starter anywhere in the country. Likely picked up 60.5 tackles last year and was shut-down for a young guy.
They’ll also get Jeremiah Johnson back healthy now after the Terps lost him early in the season last year. He was actually ahead of Likely in the depth chart, and should really produce as expected with all that rest. Maryland loses Dexter McDougle, sure, but they replace him with equally talented guys who should more than make up for the deficit…if they are healthy.