Maryland Replenishes Tight End Room through Four-Man Haul in 2021

What separates Maryland's haul in the tight end room this cycle.

With just a pair of tight ends on the roster heading into 2020, tight end was a top priority on the offensive side of the ball heading into the 2021 cycle as position coach Mike Miller and the offensive staff got to work.

St. Frances (MD) Joseph Bearns became the first commit back on February 5 to give Maryland undoubtedly their most physical presence in the haul. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound mauler brings a different level of physicality off the edge where his thick frame and above-average strength can transition him into a day one impact player in run support. Though he uses that physicality to break out into the passing attack when needed, his technique in protection is a big reason why Sports Illustrated is bullish on the Terps’ prospect.

Bearns is an immediate impact player in the run game. He understands fits and assignments as a blocker and shows good technique. He has room to develop as a receiver on routes and working in coverage but shows good technique and releases well after blocks.

One of three commitments for the Terps out of St. Frances this cycle, Bearns gives Maryland’s tight end room a stout blocker to become a key piece in the blended unit as 6-foot-5 Lakeland (PA) athlete CJ Dippre jumps into the mix. Primarily a quarterback in high school, Dippre’s big frame gives the Lakeland staff an opportunity to shift him out wide in redzone packages to give the big-bodied athlete a chance to flash those ball skills to overmatch opposing defenses. Dippre isn’t an explosive prospect, but the quick twitch boasted a 4.67 40-yard dash this winter to show himself as a clear asset in the passing attack.

The versatile weapon also played defensive end as a junior, but coming in, the physical piece can slide into the rotation as a blocking tight end with the skillset to be an asset in the passing game.

“Refuses to go down on first contact as ball-carrier. Devastating stiff arm. Not a home-run threat and lacks wiggle, but can pick up straight-line chunks. Hands catcher. Comfortable bringing down jump balls in crowd; uses size to box out defender on end-zone fades.”

Dippre joined the class just a day before Venice (FL) tight end Weston Wolff, who could replace upcoming senior tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo as the versatile offensive weapon. There aren’t many passes within reach of the long 6-foot-4 tight end that Wolff can’t come down with as the lean, versatile weapon is methodical in his route running to gain separation.

“Wolff is a dangerous receiving threat. He runs good routes, has good speed, has very good hands, and a large catch radius. He is a leaper that positions his body well to win jump balls, and he has done this against excellent competition. However, the blocking portion of being a tight end will be new to him at the next level. Wolff is a quality player that will make an impact, but how much he is asked to block will determine how quickly he sees the field.”

His soft hands and versatility in the passing attack is a big reason why he can line up at tight end or shift outside to receiver, giving offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery yet another key piece to work with on offense. Wolff will have competition from tight end Leron Husbands, who transferred from Archbishop Carroll to Flowers (MD) this offseason.

The 6-foot-3 product is another with a solid frame that has the route tree and strength to beat his assignment in press coverage. Husbands has good speed given his frame, but where his strength sits is the soft hands and loose hips he shows when the ball is in the air with his natural route-running ability.

“Threatens entire field with route tree. Dangerous ball-carrier after the catch; runs through arm tackles, can make defenders miss and has enough speed to go distance with seam. Tracks ball well downfield. Hands catcher. Willing, effective blocker outside and lined up tight.”

Husbands joins Flowers to give them another quality piece on offense where he can flourish in the Jaguars’ offense. As for Maryland, Husbands is a key piece in the four-man class in the 2021 cycle where position coach Mike Miller replenished a depleted room with a blend of physicality and athleticism.

For a team just three years removed from minimal attention towards tight ends, the incoming haul serves the Terps’ offense well as the added weapons bolster the offensive firepower and a great deal of credit goes to Maryland’s position coach to making it happen.

“He’s taught me a lot already and I’m not even there at Maryland. He’s a really nice guy and my whole family likes him. We have a connection that’s not coaching related, like a friend,” Husbands told All Terrapins in May. “I chose Maryland and the biggest reason was because of coach Miller. He was down at both Alabama and Clemson so, obviously, he knows how it’s done at the top programs. I think he’s going to put me in the best position to play and do the best in college and rebuild the program and maybe after college,” Dippre added. Wolff doubled down on his future teammates’ statements.

“I’m really excited about where we’re going. I’m going to continue to recruit big time players and see that we can put together a good squad moving forward and eventually national champions, that’s the goal.”