Well-Armed Terps Like Options
8/23/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 23, 2000
By Bill Wagner, Annapolis Capital
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- When discussing his quarterback situation, Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden prefers the word competition rather than controversy.
After starting freshmen the last two seasons, Maryland suddenly finds itself three-deep with talented, experienced signal-callers.
Returning starter Calvin McCall, fellow sophomore Latrez Harrison and junior college transfer Shaun Hill all performed well in spring practice.
Vanderlinden says he welcomes a fierce three-way competition this fall.
"We've gone from struggling to find one good quarterback to having three of them," Vanderlinden said. "It's the best we've ever been at that most important position."
Two years ago, Maryland was forced to use freshman defensive back Randall Jones under center because none of the veteran quarterbacks could execute an option-oriented offense.
As a redshirt freshman last year, McCall started nine games, sending Jones back to defense. McCall completed 93 of 179 passes for 1,264 yards and five touchdowns while only throwing three interceptions.
Yet Maryland was still limited offensively since McCall -- like Jones the year before -- was learning on the fly. The Terrapins only asked McCall to read half the field and rarely threw deep.
"We've been handcuffed somewhat the last two seasons simply because our quarterbacks we're inexperienced and not ready for anything too intricate," Vanderlinden said.
Each candidate brings something different to the table. McCall has the most game experience and a firm grasp of Maryland's offense. The 6-foot-3-inch, 189-pounder also runs the option better than Hill or Harrison and has the speed to get outside.
Plus McCall now has the confidence that comes with being the incumbent.
"I deserve to be No. 1 and I'm going to prove it in practice," McCall said. "I know the other guys are talented and will be pushing me, but I plan to leave the coaches with no choice but to start me."
Vanderlinden says McCall has backed up those words in early workouts.
"Calvin is far better right now than he ever was a year ago. It's looking more and more like Calvin is really priming for a good season," Vanderlinden said.
Harrison started the final two games of 1999 after McCall suffered a season-ending knee injury. The highly-touted recruit from Atlanta, Ga. showed off a stronger arm than McCall, but was overmatched mentally and wound up completing just 5 of 24 passes while tossing three interceptions.
Harrison (6-3, 222) had a better handle on the offense in spring practice.
"Latrez benefitted greatly from the experience he received as a true freshman, and has since shown the athletic ability that made him so highly recruited," Vanderlinden said.
Right now, it appears McCall's primary challenger is Hill, a surprise signee out of Hutchinson Community College. Hill (6-3, 229) started 22 games in two years at Hutchinson, accounting for 2,058 total yards as a sophomore.
Hill, who transferred to Maryland in January, was the star of the spring-ending Red-White game -- completing 13 of 16 passes for 152 yard and a touchdown. He also ran well and may be more of a two-way threat than McCall or Harrison.
Vanderlinden said keeping all three quarterbacks happy is a problem he'll gladly deal with. In fact, he says he would not be opposed to having the quarterback split time.
"My experience is that these types of situations sort themselves out and it becomes pretty clear what should be done," Vanderlinden said. "I certainly like the fact we now have choices at that position."
