July 27, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the seventh in a nine-part series previewing the 2004 University of Maryland football team with today's focus being on the linebackers. The Terrapins open fall practice on August 11th in preparation for their season opener against Northern Illinois at Byrd Stadium on September 4th.

Check back every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of July for a breakdown on each component of this year's team (a complete list of when each position's synopsis will be posted on umterps.com can be found at the bottom of this page), a squad ranked by most preseason publications in the top 25 nationally.

LINEBACKER
Maryland's group of linebackers will likely be the most dynamic unit of any other spot on the defense in the preseason. Though some semblance of answers came from spring practice, several remain and the bottom line for the Terps will be getting their best players on the field.

A year after successfully answering the question "who would replace E.J. Henderson," junior D'Qwell Jackson returns as the team's top playmaking linebacker. He enters fall camp as the starter once again at middle linebacker, but the only thing that is known for sure is that he will be a starter. Should the team need him to, he is versatile enough to be moved to weakside linebacker; but regardless, Jackson is a warrior who runs well and makes plays all over the field. Just a junior, he was a second team all-conference pick and led the team in tackles (136) in his first year as a starter. Backing him up is redshirt freshman Tim Cesa, a player whose work in the spring made Jackson's flexibility to move a possibility. Cesa is strong and very well suited to play "Mike" whereas Jackson has the ability to play where it best serves the team.

Junior William Kershaw and redshirt freshman Wesley Jefferson will do their best to keep Jackson in the middle. Kershaw runs well and has all of the physical attributes the defensive coaching staff is seeking from a "Will" linebacker. Jefferson is a solid tackler who is still working to get his strength and speed where he needs it, but he showed the type of instinct that makes a good linebacker on more than one occasion in game situations in the spring.

The other linebacking position that will get a good look is "Sam." Both sophomore David Holloway and Jeris Smith performed well in their battle for the starting job in the offseason and both showed characteristics that will get them on the field in 2004. Of the two, Holloway may be better suited to the position with his speed, range and ability to play in space while Smith showed the physicality that will give him a shot at both "Sam" and defensive end. True freshman Eric Lenz is one of three newcomers who was here for spring ball and showed the speed and athleticism that will turn heads when he gets the strength and size to match. Trey Covington and Chase Bullock will also get a look at the position, though Covington's future may reside at the end spot currently occupied by Shawne Merriman.

"Overall, we have a challenge to get as good as we have been in the past at linebacker," said Friedgen. "We have a couple of walk-ons working where we had one of our better players in the past in Leon Joe, so there is going to be a little drop off there and, if not, at least a learning curve. But we have some promising talent and, like with a few other positions, we may just need some experience to have things back like we want them or even better."

Outlook Schedule on UMterps.com:
Offense/Quarterbacks        Posted July 6
Tailbacks/Fullbacks         Posted July 8
Wide Receivers              Posted July 13
Tight Ends                  Posted July 15
Offensive Line              Posted July 20
Defense/Defensive Line      Posted July 22
Linebackers                 Today
Defensive Backs             Thursday, July 29
Specialists                 Tuesday, August 3 

For season ticket information, please call the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or (800) 462-TERP (8377).