July 18, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the fifth in a nine-part series previewing the 2005 University of Maryland football team. The Terrapins are less than a month from the start of fall practice (Aug. 8) in anticipation of the season opener against Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 3rd.

Today's portion of the outlook takes a look at the Terps' offensive line, a group that is young but could be the most physically-gifted that the school has put together in years. Check back every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of July (and the first week of August) for a breakdown on each component of this year's team (a complete list of when each position's outlook will be posted on UMTerps.com can be found at the bottom of this page).

Offensive Line
A position that will exemplify the state of this year's team this offseason is the offensive line. The Terrapins will be relatively young at the position, entering fall camp with the possibility of as many as four players starting who are no more experienced than sophomores. But more than any other position, the offensive line - though young - looks to be as loaded as any other in terms of talent. This year's offensive line will have more players with prototypical size and athleticism than any Terp group in recent history.

On the left side, OT Stephon Heyer is the lone senior returning who started in all 11 games last year on the line. He is a bookend tackle with a long wingspan who moves well and should gain some attention come postseason honors time. Heyer is as strong as he has ever been and showed the type of leadership in the spring that will be needed with such a young cast surrounding him. He will be backed up by Dane Randolph - a player who is moving over from the defensive side of the ball and has thus far picked things up very quickly - and the intriguing freshman Jared Gaither. At 6-9 and 330 pounds, Gaither is a former basketball recruit who moves unbelievably well and whose progress will be worth watching.

At left guard, sophomore Donnie Woods appears to be the front runner for the starting job after a solid spring and playing in the final 11 games of last year, starting the finale. Woods is a savvy player who posted four "big blocks" against just three missed assignments on 177 plays in his first season of playing time. His primary challenge will come from redshirt freshman Jaimie Thomas, a player coaches have been impressed with physically, but who needs to continue to work on his assignments. He has good size (6-4, 327) and moves very well. Redshirt freshman Lee Oliver will also look to continue his progression after walking on last year.

Center will be a very interesting position this season with a good deal to be determined prior to the start of the season. What happens here will likely affect the rest of the line as well. Sophomore Andrew Crummey will start camp atop the depth chart. He is a heady player who moves well and started half of last season at guard. His versatility combined with the progress of Edwin Williams, a redshirt freshman who the coaches really like and compare to former Terp (and current Cleveland Brown) Melvin Fowler, will play a big role in who goes where. If Williams wins the starting job, Crummey will move back to right guard and compete for the job there. Senior Ryan McDonald missed spring but will be back in the fall and his return is key, giving the team depth in the event Crummey starts and an experienced backup if Williams starts. Though there will be many good battles on the offensive line this fall, this one may be the most important.

On the right side, the only senior atop the depth chart other than Heyer - Russell Bonham - will look to stay healthy and give the team a run-blocking force. Bonham shared time as the starter (five games) at the position last year with Crummey, but missed four games due to injury including the season finale. Should Crummey stay at center, Bonham's primary challenge will come from Garrick Clig, a physical sophomore whose forte is also pushing the pile. Junior Dave Quaintance will also compete in his second year on the offensive side of the ball.

Right tackle will be a look into the future of the Terp line and will be one of this year's best battles. Third-year sophomore Brandon Nixon (6-6, 314) has improved greatly in the last year and it seems as if the mental aspect of his game is catching up to his physical gifts. His challenge will come from second-year player Scott Burley (6-6, 316), a player with a mean streak who is very physical despite his youth but is another Terp who just needs to work on getting his assignments straight. Regardless of the starter, Maryland has as impressive a young tandem as it has ever had to throw at opponents.

"We have some good battles now between some big, athletic kids who would be playing in anybody's program," said Friedgen. "We just need to get some more experience. We could end up with a lot of sophomores and redshirt freshmen on the field, but that will bode well for us based on their talent if we can get them the reps they need. We will only really lose Heyer, McDonald and Bonham so it looks like the future is pretty bright if we can keep it going."

Outlook Schedule on UMterps.com:
Offense/Quarterbacks        Posted July 7
Tailbacks/Fullbacks         Posted July 12
Wide Receivers              Posted July 14
Tight Ends                  Posted July 19
Offensive Line              Posted July 21
Defense/Defensive Line      Tuesday, July 26
Linebackers                 Thursday, July 28
Defensive Backs             Tuesday, August 2
Specialists                 Thursday, August 4

Other important dates:
Start of Camp/Media Day     Monday, August 8
Fan Day                     Sunday, August 21
Season Opener vs. Navy      Saturday, September 3
Home Opener vs. Clemson     Saturday, September 10

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