Takeaways From Maryland Football's Big Ten Media Day

Maryland football attended the 2025 edition of the Big Ten Football Media Days on July 22 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. 

The three-day event from July 22-24 includes all 18 Big Ten schools, serving as an unofficial kickoff to the college football season. Coaches, players and conference officials gathered to preview the year ahead and address the biggest storylines facing the league.

Seventh-year head coach Michael Locksley, senior defensive back Jalen Huskey, junior linebacker Daniel Wingate and senior offensive lineman Isaiah Wright represented Maryland, which was joined by Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State and Rutgers. 

Here is everything you need to know:

Jim Smith is working “hand-in-hand” with Locksley and his football program

Locksley was accompanied by Maryland Athletics’ newly hired Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics, Jim Smith, in Las Vegas. Both are actively working together to better position Maryland football amongst the Big Ten Conference.  

“Jim's hit the ground running [and] is already working hand-in-hand with our program and myself to help us elevate every part of this program and what we do here at Maryland,” Locksley said during his opening statement.

Smith was hired in mid-May, having already worked in athletics for more than two decades at both university and professional organizations. Some of the prominent organizations he has worked with include the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Columbus Crew, Ohio State and AMB Sports & Entertainment. 

He’s a proven builder and leader with a deep understanding of the business side of sports. During Smith’s five-year tenure with the Braves, he led a team focused on implementing innovative business, brand, marketing and communications strategies to drive revenue, engagement and membership growth.

His experience is crucial in helping Maryland football compete in the new era of collegiate athletics.  

“I know that Jim is committed to giving me an opportunity, giving us an opportunity in this league,” Locksley said. “I'm looking forward to working with Jim to find ways to create the ability to keep and maintain these players that we've been able to bring in.” 

Smith was part of the Braves' World Series title in 2021. He understands and embraces the culture of a championship-winning organization, which he is looking to help create with Maryland football. 

“Jim comes from a championship pedigree, much like I did when I came in from Alabama,” Locksley said. “I know that he's putting together a staff that is going to understand that to help make my job a little bit easier, to where I can focus on that locker room.”

Locksley is focused on “elevating” Maryland football in 2025 

One of Maryland football’s major philosophies in 2025 revolves around the word “elevate.” Locksley explained that he’s focused on elevating every aspect of his program, from the product on the field to the strength of his staff.   

“[Elevate is] a word I've been using since Dec. 1, when, as I like to say, the church doors opened up,” Locksley explained. “A year ago, we didn't meet our standard. We didn't meet the expectations that we created for ourselves, but there's still a lot of positive momentum about our Maryland football program.” 

Despite falling short of expectations last season, Maryland has still won bowl games in three of its previous four seasons. The Terps also had six players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, which was the fourth-most in the Big Ten and the 11th-most nationally. Both feats are a testament to Maryland’s coaching staff and the development of our players in recent years. 

However, Locksley, his coaching staff and his players believe there is still room for improvement. The work they’ve already put in this offseason serves as a foundation for making that vision a reality. 

“It's just about what do you do every single day to put yourself in a position to help the team win games in the fall,” Huskey said. “We have 1% workouts after every practice. We go in early, leave late, that's the standard that we're setting for each other. If we can continue that standard, we're gonna elevate like Coach says.” 

Key returning players, as well as incoming transfers and freshmen, are focused on elevating their game in 2025. The addition of several high-profile coaches has also already helped speed up that elevation as Maryland boasts the 25th-ranked recruiting class in the FBS, according to 247Sports.  

“We're continuing to elevate that talent,” Locksley said. We've embarked on recruiting the best two high school recruiting classes that we've seen in the history of Maryland football, and half of those guys that we signed were able to enroll and early participate in our winter and spring programs, which gives us an opportunity to see those guys as early as possible.”

Jalen Huskey, Daniel Wingate and Isaiah Wright are primed for major roles this season 

The trio of players who attended media day alongside Locksley will be impact players and crucial to the success of the Terps this season. 

Huskey enters his second season in College Park in 2025. The Quince Orchard High School product returned home to the state of Maryland after playing his first two collegiate seasons at Bowling Green. There, he was named First-Team All-MAC in 2023. 

The defensive back was one of Maryland’s most productive players on the defensive side of the ball last season while playing as both an outside cornerback and free safety. Huskey finished the year with 45 tackles (21 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss (TFLs), four passes defended, three interceptions, one blocked kick and one fumble recovery last season.

Huskey is now set on embracing a leadership role with the Terps as a senior and regards his position change as one that has helped him become a more versatile asset. 

“I always thought ‘I'm just a corner. I'm just a corner,’” Huskey said. “But learning that having positional versatility not only helps me, it helps the team, and me being able to play safety was a great asset for our team.”

Despite not being a household name among high school recruits, Wingate has been an impactful player since arriving on campus in 2023. A St. Vincent Pallotti product, Wingate has played in 23 games for the Terps through his freshman and sophomore seasons. 

In 2024, Wingate ranked third on the team with 50 tackles and tied for third on the squad with 6.5 TFLs. The junior linebacker is primed for a breakout season in 2025 and looks to establish himself amongst the best in the Big Ten. 

“This year for me, I see it as a year to elevate, like Coach Locks talks about all the time,” Wingate said. “It's really a year for me to step out and showcase the talents that I have had.” 

Wright was a transfer portal addition from Buffalo last season, but missed the entire 2024 season due to injury. He joined the Terps after starting 24 games on Buffalo's offensive line for two seasons. In 2023, Wright started 11 games for the Bulls, including five at left tackle and six at center. The versatile lineman helped Buffalo tie for third in the MAC in fewest sacks allowed that season.

The redshirt junior will also be one of Maryland’s leaders this season. As Locksley pointed out, Wright had an impact despite being injured all of last season. 

“It definitely sucked not being able to contribute and help my teammates win games,” Wright said. “But thankfully, I was able to have a great support system and a great circle. I’m blessed to be able to go to work with the athletic training staff … to really help me and get back on the field.”

The 2025 season is a “year of vulnerability” for Locksley 

Locksley bravely admitted that he lost his locker room during the disappointing 2024 season. However, he views the experience as one that will help him become a better coach going forward. 

“This for me is kind of a year of what I like to call vulnerability,” he said. “One of the greatest characteristics you could have as a leader is the ability to be vulnerable.” 

Locksley explained that he and his players had many difficult conversations a year ago. For the first time, he had discussions of haves and have-nots, establishing ground rules. Those conversations were emotional and often delved into the importance of playing for something bigger than yourself. 

“The landscape of college football taught me a valuable lesson, and that valuable lesson is important for me, even in the midst of this change, to continue to educate our players on the importance of what playing for something bigger than yourself is all about,” Locksley said.”

Locksley explained that he and his players had many difficult conversations a year ago. For the first time, he had discussions of haves and have-nots, establishing ground rules. Those conversations were emotional and often delved into the importance of playing for something bigger than yourself. 

“The landscape of college football taught me a valuable lesson, and that valuable lesson is important for me, even in the midst of this change, to continue to educate our players on the importance of what playing for something bigger than yourself is all about,” Locksley said.”

What emerged from the conversations was also the importance of the brotherhood. Maryland football has become as tight-knit as ever and is poised to win games and remain united as one when faced with adversity. 

“At the end of the day, we're playing the game of football, and in order to play that game, we need to have the brotherhood,” Wingate said. “Just being able to have the brotherhood and connecting and just forming that going into the season, it'll be really helpful for us.”

Maryland opens the 2025 season by hosting FAU on Aug. 30. Season and single-game tickets can be purchased here.