Maryland Football: Two Players Leave the Program
Sep 20, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Marcus Leak (82) catches a touchdown pass during the first half of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The Maryland football program became a little lighter over the past few days, as two players have decided to leave the program. First, it was rising senior wide receiver Marcus Leak, who left the program for personal reasons. Following Leak was defensive back D’Andre Payne, who joined the Terps in January after transferring from Tennessee.
Leak is expected to be the bigger loss of the two players for the Terps. In three seasons at College Park, he caught 55 passes for 775 yards and six touchdowns. After already losing Stefon Diggs and Deon Long to the NFL Draft and graduation respectively, in addition to Jacquille Veii also leaving the program, Maryland has now lost all four of their top receivers from a season ago.
More from Maryland Terrapins
- Maryland Football: Terps honor Jordan McNair, beat Longhorns 34-29
- Maryland Terrapins: Roundup of Headlines in Maryland Sports
- Where Will Maryland Basketball’s Kevin Huerter Land in 2018 NBA Draft?
- Maryland Terrapins Offensive Lineman Jordan McNair Dies
- Remembering Maryland Basketball’s Cliff Tucker: Top 5 Best Moments
Leak was expected to be counted on for his senior leadership on a young receiving corps. However, even with Leak’s departure, the Terps still have plenty of talent at the position. Maryland will now rely on guys like Levern Jacobs, Taivon Jacobs, and Juwann Winfree to pick up the slack. Levern Jacobs led the team in receiving back in 2013, while Taivon, his younger brother and a former four-star recruit, will be looking to impress after missing the majority of last season due to injury. Winfree is another former four-star recruit, who caught two touchdowns as a freshman last season.
Payne was a highly recruited prospect out of Washington, D.C. a couple of years ago and received an offer from Maryland, but he decided to commit to the Volunteers. Having to sit out a season after transferring, he was expected to play a key role in the secondary in 2016, but it looks like the Terps will have to turn elsewhere for help in that department.
Stay tuned to the Baltimore Wire for updates.