A week ago, coach Michael Locksley said he wasn’t afraid of the transfer portal.

But five of Maryland football’s projected contributors have entered the portal since Locksley’s comments: offensive linemen Terez Davis and Tamarus Walker, defensive lineman Lavon Johnson and linebackers Kellan Wyatt and Dylan Gooden.

The exits hurt the Terps’ depth — especially on the line of scrimmage. Locksley has emphasized developing young offensive linemen and two have now exited before their junior seasons.

In today’s college football landscape, nobody should be surprised by players’ departures. More than 2,100 FBS scholarship players have already entered the portal this offseason and Maryland’s NIL situation still remains a major concern.

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“To be completely honest with you, contrary to what people are saying, it was not colleges poaching or agents feeding me a dream. Last year I played for Maryland with no contract,” Davis said in a statement to The Diamondback.

It is unusual that Maryland’s spring transfers are concentrated on the offensive and defensive lines, where turnover is typically low due to long development times. That’s a concerning sign for Locksley, especially after last year’s lineman portal additions struggled.

Davis and Walker each appeared in at least nine games for the Terps last season and were expected to bolster one of the Big Ten’s worst offensive lines. Davis was practicing with the first-team offense during spring practices.

“I love Maryland. This was just a business decision,” Davis said in the statement. “I know what I could have done for Maryland. Going into the portal is not personal.”

On the other side of the ball, Wyatt led the team with two forced fumbles, 30 tackles — 19 solo — and 7.5 tackles for loss.

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The pass rusher generated 14 pressures and played more than 400 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Johnson emerged as a viable nose tackle last season, posting a season-high four tackles against Iowa. The sophomore initially entered the portal on Dec. 24 before withdrawing two days later — but after less than four months back, he’s in the portal again..

Locksley and former offensive coordinator Josh Gattis both were open about the offensive line’s struggles last spring. Their concerns turned to fruition when the unit allowed 26 sacks last season.

Talent along the line of scrimmage has been one of the largest reasons for Maryland’s inability to defeat the top teams of the Big Ten. Losing two promising players before the season even begins is a troubling sign.

But that’s a part of college athletics now. Locksley acknowledged he would likely be losing talented players this month.

“Guys coming or going, it is what it is for me to figure out how to put a team together here by May 1st,” Locksley said.

In a new “pro-style program,” the Terps will have to do what professional teams do when talented players exit — find an adequate replacement.