As Jeff Ermann first reported on 247Sports, star Maryland edge rusher Zahir Mathis is set to miss the entire 2026 season. A spokesperson confirmed that Mathis suffered an injury during fall camp, and it will force him to miss all of this season.
It’s a major blow to Maryland, losing arguably its top defensive player on the team. Mathis was a highly-touted recruit, picking the Terrapins over Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama, and others, in the 2025 recruiting class.
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He made his presence felt right away last season as a true freshman. Mathis was tied for 17th in the Big Ten, recording six sacks last season. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, along with being named a Freshman All-American.
Fellow freshman edge Sidney Stewart had seven, and that duo was expected to do big things in 2026 together.
Bad timing for Mike Locksley
NCAA Football: Maryland at Michigan State
Nov 29, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Maryland head coach Mike Locksley watches play from the Maryland sideline during a game against Michigan State at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
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To make matters worse, not only is Maryland losing a top player, but it comes at a terrible time for the head coach. Entering 2026, Mike Locksley is on a short leash and his defense is down a key piece.
Locksley is one of the coaches squarely on the hot seat and his seat could be scorching hot if the Terrapins’ defense can’t stop the opposition.
MORE: Preseason Big Ten championship odds ahead of 2026 college football season
Since 2019, Locksley has had three winning seasons at Maryland. His best season was 8-5, doing so twice, but in the past two seasons, the Terrapins have won just four games in both 2024 and 2025.
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The school announced that Locksley would be back in 2026. There was hope for Maryland after some freshmen lived up to the hype. Both Mathis and Stewart were great on the defensive side of the ball, along with quarterback Malik Washington.
Not all hope is lost
For Locksley’s sake, he has to hope Stewart continues to progress, but Maryland also brings in five-star edge Zion Elee. The Maryland product picked the Terrapins over every school in the country and enters 2026 with major expectations.
He was likely going to rotate with both Mathis and Stewart this season, but with Mathis going down, Elee won’t have time to develop.
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The Terrapins will likely throw Elee into the fire and hope he can do what five-star talent does. On top of Elee, Locksley hopes to see Washington take a sophomore leap this season.
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