Taivon Jacobs remembers when he was the youngster in Maryland football’s wide receiver room, getting teased by his older brother, Levern, and future NFL standout Stefon Diggs.

Now in his sixth year in College Park, after two season-ending ACL tears that limited him to 13 games in his first four seasons, Jacobs is the elder statesman, in a position to give his younger teammates some of the jesting he once endured.

As a starting wideout, Jacobs is passing off some of his experience to the next line of wide receivers while he prepares for the close of a college career filled with numerous highs and lows. Jacobs hopes to end his time as a Terp on another upswell.

“Taking heat from some of the older guys … just helped me to mold me into the player that I am right now,” Jacobs said. “Just trying to put in the extra work … to improve our game in any way possible.”

[Read more: “Stats are for losers”: Matt Canada isn’t worried about Maryland’s passing game]

In Maryland’s season-opening win over then-No. 23 Texas, Jacobs hauled in five catches for 73 yards. The graduate wideout was on the receiving end of wide receiver Jeshaun Jones’ trick play touchdown pass in the second quarter, which helped build a buffer to withhold the Longhorns’ comeback bid.

Since then, with the Terps struggling to mount a passing threat, Jacobs has seen less of the ball. Still, he amassed five catches against Minnesota on Sept. 22 and reeled in his 81st career catch against then-No. 15 Michigan last weekend, moving into the top 25 on Maryland’s all-time reception list.

Tied for the team lead with 13 receptions this year, Jacobs is 46 yards away from reaching the 1,000 receiving yards mark. He has a chance to crack the top 25 on that list, too.

“It’s always a great accomplishment and milestone to be part of such a great group,” Jacobs said. “Just got to keep striving forward to improve where I’m at now.”

[Read more: Maryland booster removed from football team travel group following McNair comments]

Last weekend, the Wolverines’ top-ranked defense stymied Maryland’s offense. When Rutgers and its Big Ten-worst run defense comes to College Park for homecoming on Saturday, Maryland may rely on its dangerous running attack rather than an air game that has rarely produced.

Still, interim head coach Matt Canada said he aims for a balanced offense.

“Our receivers are working hard. I’m excited to see them touch the ball more,” Canada said. “They’re playing well, and we’ve just got to get them more involved in the game.”

Jacobs described himself as a “team player” and said he understands Maryland’s depth and talent at running back may lead to more carries than throws during a game. If that’s what helps his team win, he said, he’s all for it.

Jacobs has seen a great deal of turnover in the Maryland program since coming in under Randy Edsall in 2013. His older brother, Levern, graduated in 2016. Coach DJ Durkin arrived, and Canada has stepped in on an interim basis while Durkin remains on administrative leave.

Before the 2018 season began, Levern Jacobs offered some advice to his younger brother on how he should approach his final campaign.

“Just have fun,” he told him. “No matter what happens, [you] can’t control everything, just go have fun.”