Back In On The Action
8/23/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 23, 2000
By John Cannon, Frederick News-Post
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland football player Leroy Ambush hasn't played in a regular season game in almost two years.
No wonder he's so eager to put on the pads and get in on the action this season.
"I want to get out there and get that first play over with," Ambush said. "I know it's going to go fast. And once I get that over with, I can function and do things properly."
Ambush has been waiting about a season and half to return to action. Ambush saw his high school career at Thomas Johnson come to an early end because of injury in 1998, and he was redshirted at Maryland last year. But the muscular, 6-foot-1, 218-pound linebacker seems poised to play for the Terps this year.
"I'm not sure where and how, but I'd be disappointed if he didn't play" Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden said. "He has a lot of ability."
Ambush is listed second on the depth chart at outside linebacker behind two-year starter Aaron Thompson. While Thompson most likely will stay the starter, Ambush has impressed outside linebackers coach Wally Ake.
"He's physical, and he's got the tools we look for," Ake said. "He should be able to earn playing time, and that will come in camp. A lot of it will be absorbing knowledge."
So where does Ambush envision playing?
"I'm not sure. It depends how preseason camp goes," Ambush said. "I'm going to work as hard as I can to get a spot on the team."
Ambush most likely will see action on Maryland's special teams.
"All of our linebackers play special teams," Ake said. "He's got to take pride in that."
That would be just fine with Ambush.
"I just want to contribute to the team," Ambush said. "It might be on the special teams or defense, whatever."
Like most players, Ambush didn't realize he was going to be redshirted last year until the season progressed. Still, he looked at the bright side.
"Nobody wants to sit on the sidelines and watch," Ambush said. "But it was a good learning experience. I adapted to college life and learned the defense more, watching people who knew how to do it right."
Ambush was also reunited with former TJ teammate Randall Jones, who was a sophomore at the time.
"I told him not to worry about it (being redshirted)," Jones said. "It was probably the best thing that could happen. You get stronger, faster and learn the system. And he's got four more years to play after that. It just makes it easier."
Ambush, who focused on the big picture, never thought of transferring from Maryland.
"This is a good place to be, right here," said Ambush, gesturing toward the campus. "We're doing good things, and it's going to pay off."
Still, being on the sidelines was quite a switch for someone like Ambush, who began playing football when he was a kid and progressed into an impact player as he rose through the ranks.
"Last year was kind of different," Ambush said. "I was used to being a factor on my teams."
Ambush was a factor in last spring's Red-White scrimmage, making five tackles to cap off a successful spring campaign.
"He had some of the best hits during spring practice," Ake said. "He has a lot of natural ability. And if he continues to progress, I could see him giving Aaron a break and getting the experience he needs."
"The hitting, that's something I enjoy," Ambush said. "And I'm going to try to continue that."
Hitting was one of Ambush's calling cards at TJ. But Ambush, a standout linebacker and running back for TJ, saw his high school career come to an end when he dislocated his elbow trying to dive for extra yardage during the fifth game of his senior season.
So what would have Ambush thought that night if he was told he would not play another game until the 2000 season?
"I would have been a little bit disappointed. But now, I can't get down about that. Everything happens for a reason," said Ambush, who is about to embark on a new phase of his career. "This year, I'll try to contribute to the team. And hopefully, we'll make it to a bowl game."
