Maryland's offense, which took a huge hit when starting wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Deon Long went down in the same game with broken legs, took a another hit Tuesday when starting left tackle Mike Madaras decided to leave school.
In a statement released by the school, Madaras said, "My heart is not in the game of football or going to college at this time."
Madaras (6-foot-5, 295 pounds), a sophomore who had struggled a bit this season but still was one of the most talented young linemen in the ACC, had started all eight games for the Terps (5-3). He played extensively as a true freshman last season, starting eight games and playing in all 12. Madaras was the first true freshman to start on the offensive line for the Terps since 2009. He also could play guard, and it was possible he would've started at guard next fall.
He was a four-year starter in high school at Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel, where he was teammates with Diggs, and he signed with Maryland after being pursued by, among others, Michigan, South Carolina, Stanford and Virginia Tech.
Maryland is off this weekend, giving Terps coaches some extra time to find a replacement. Junior Jake Wheeler (6-7, 305) -- whose brother, Jared, starts at guard for Miami -- was listed as the backup left tackle on last week's depth chart. True freshman Moise Larose (6-6, 296), senior Nick Klemm (6-5, 305) or redshirt freshman Mike Dunn (6-5, 295), who has been starting at guard, also could get the call. Klemm started four games at right tackle in 2012 but has been injured most of this season.
Maryland's offensive line has been inconsistent this season, and Madaras' departure obviously isn't going to help. The Terps have lost two in a row after a 5-1 start and need one more win for bowl eligibility. They still must play Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Boston College and North Carolina State.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
