Big Ten Pass-Rusher Suffers Season-Ending Injury
The Maryland Terrapins lost one their best defensive ends before the start of a pivotal 2026 season for head coach Mike Locksley.
Defensive end Zahir Mathis of Maryland suffered a season-ending injury during a training camp practice, according to On3. The extent of Mathis' injury remains unclear. In his freshman year, Mathis played a vital role, recording 22 tackles, six sacks, and 8.5 tackles for loss. His six sacks ranked second on the defense behind Sidney Stewart, who had seven sacks in his first season.
Maryland's head coach Mike Locksley has a 37-49 overall record over eight seasons with the program. The Terrapins finished 4-8 in their last two campaigns, securing only two victories in Big Ten games. Maryland's athletic director, Jim Smith, emphasized roster retention and recruiting as vital for the upcoming season. Smith informed ESPN in November that the program aimed to prioritize roster retention, recruiting, and transferring to support head coach Locksley.
Among the crucial freshmen for Maryland last season were Mathis, Stewart, and quarterback Malik Washington. Without Mathis, Maryland will rely more on Stewart's sophomore season and additional defensive ends Nahsir Taylor and DD Holmes. Maryland's season begins against Hampton on September 5, followed by games against UConn and Virginia Tech.
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