Maryland’s aerial attack had its question marks throughout the 2015 season.
However, wide receiver Malcolm Culmer provided quite a bit of stability and could be a top option entering the 2016 campaign.
The Terrapins saw the likes of Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe take their respective turns under center. Despite their struggles, it rarely wasn’t because they didn’t have the talent at the wideout position.
Maryland had a strong duo of playmakers at the top of the depth chart in Levern Jacobs and D.J. Moore. Taivon Jacobs also provided a few big plays throughout the season.
Aside from Levern Jacobs, Culmer was one of two wideouts with any experience at the college level. The other happened to be Amba Etta-Tawo, who has since transferred to Syracuse,
Culmer ended up catching 15 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns as a backup wide receiver for Maryland.
The New Jersey native does a great deal of his damage after-the-catch. Both of Culmer’s touchdowns last season came as a result of his moves and speed after the first point of contact.
For example, in the season opener against Richmond, Hills took the snap out of the shotgun and fired a bullet to Culmer at the 24-yard line. Culmer hauled in the pass and stopped on a dime before dancing away from the defender. He scampered the rest of the way the touchdown.
Culmer provides a great deal of speed on the outside. That allows Maryland to use him in traditional patterns or even on screen passes.
He may not be the biggest wideout at 5’11, but he’s very quick and shifty. That allows him to evade tacklers in the open field.
Another dimension of Culmer’s ability came to the surface against Indiana last Nov.
Rowe dropped back to pass and found Culmer in the flat after Culmer received a few picks to help him slip free. Culmer then got some superb blocking and turned it upfield for the 14-yard touchdown.
Aside from the throw being perfectly placed, Culmer’s quickness allowed him to keep his momentum going upfield and resulted in a relatively easy six points.
Heading into the 2016 season, there will certainly be a ton of competition for one of the three starting wideout spots. Jacobs and Moore figure to be penciled into the first two spots.
Culmer didn’t produce a whole lot during his first two seasons in College Park. However, his solid junior campaign puts him right into the thick of the competition this summer.
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Wide receiver should easily be the deepest position for the Terps this fall with nearly everyone returning to the team. If Culmer can pick up right where he left off a season ago, he should see ample playing time in 2016.