Terp Newcomers Go Through First Two Workouts
8/7/2001 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2001
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
First-year Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen put 24 newcomers through their first collegiate practice sessions Tuesday as the Terrapins began preparations for the 2001 season opener Sept. 1 vs. North Carolina.
The Terp newcomers, who reported to camp on Monday, worked out once in the morning and again in the afternoon, with each session lasting about 90 minutes. The morning practice session was preceded by a series of physical tests, including some impressive bench-press results which drew the notice of Friedgen and the rest of the Terp coaching staff. The average lift was 291 pounds, a significant increase over the average for last year's incoming class (274 pounds).
"We had 12 of 24 players bench well over 300 pounds, and I use that as a barometer to see where the strength is," said Friedgen. "Most high school kids bench around 300, to have a true freshman like Randy Starks (Waldorf, Md.) bench 390 like he did today is kind of scary. But there were some other guys who were well over 300, like Maurice Smith (Waldorf, Md.) and Raheem Lewis (District Heights, Md.) both of whom benched 350. Our cardiovascular shape has to get a lot better, though. Once the big boys roll in, the pace will pick up."
The newcomers will work out again twice on Wednesday, with the first practice session slated for 9:25 a.m. and the evening practice now set for 7:15 p.m. Returning varsity players are to report on Thursday.
Maryland's annual Media Day will take place Friday, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with lunch in Tyser Tower. Friedgen will address the media in the Gossett Team House at 1 p.m. Interviews with players will take place from 2-3 p.m.
The first full-squad practice is slated for Saturday.
