Randy Edsall coaches the Terps’ offensive line during the Terps’ 32-21 win over the Huskies on Sept. 14, 2013.
Terrapins football starting left tackle Mike Madaras has decided to leave the program and withdraw from the university, according to an athletic department statement obtained yesterday.
“This was a difficult decision, but after spending a lot of time thinking about my future and talking with my family, I have realized that my heart is not in the game of football or going to college at this time,” Madaras said in the statement. “I did not think it was fair to my teammates to be out there playing when I didn’t share their passion for the game.”
Madaras — a 6-foot-5, 295-pound sophomore — had started in all of the Terps’ first eight games. He was suspended for two weeks during training camp but has been with the team since.
“I met with Mike and he expressed his desire to no longer be a student-athlete at the University of Maryland,” coach Randy Edsall said in the statement. “We wish him the best and are here to support him any way we can in the future.”
Madaras was a highly touted prospect out of local powerhouse Good Counsel, where he was a four-year starter on the offensive line. An Under Armour All-American and a SuperPrep All-American, he was a rated as a four-star recruit by many services. He also considered attending Michigan, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
By all accounts, Madaras had not missed a beat after he returned from his suspension and had integrated back into the offense quickly.
“It was just trying to get mentally focused off the field and on the field,” Madaras said in August. “Just trying to get everything set for the beginning of this year, especially the last year in the ACC; this is an important year.”
Without Madaras, who had made 16 straight starts, it’s unclear how the Terps offensive line will look when they host Syracuse on Nov. 9. Senior Nick Klemm spent time at left tackle last season before Madaras unseated him, but he has been out with a foot injury since training camp.
Junior Jake Wheeler was listed as Madaras’ backup on the most recent depth chart, though there are other options if the Terps decide to juggle their lineup on the offensive line, which hasn’t changed all season.
Starting right tackle Ryan Doyle worked at left tackle during Madaras’ suspension and later beat out Klemm for the starting right tackle job. Right guard Michael Dunn was the backup right tackle at the beginning of camp before taking over for Andrew Zeller at right guard.
The Terps are 5-3 with four games remaining and sit one win away from gaining bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010.
