2005 Football Outlook, Part VIII
8/2/2005 8:00:00 AM | Football
July 28, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the eighth in a nine-part series previewing the 2005 University of Maryland football team. The Terrapins are nearly two weeks 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 Maryland's defensive backs, a group that will need to replace all but one starter but should still be one of the strengths of this year's team. Check back Thursday for the final installment of this year's outlook, focusing on the Terps' special teams.
Defensive Back
It isn't everyday that a team can lose three starters and still end up being better the following year. That scenario is a possibility for the Terps this year.
Though the loss of a player like Broncos' third-round pick Domonique Foxworth -- with his leadership and consistency -- will certainly not help, it should be considered that the three starters other than Foxworth from last year were also in their first year in that starting role. Meanwhile, players like junior Josh Wilson and senior Gerrick McPhearson were gaining valuable experience, splitting time in the starting lineup. In addition, depth has improved at safety and the team seems to have gained more versatility after determining who plays where in the offseason.
At cornerback, McPhearson enters his final year as the starter at the field spot formerly occupied by Foxworth. The fastest player in school history and an All-ACC performer on the Terps' track team in the offseason, McPhearson can cover and run with any receiver in the league. He is playing harder than he ever has and can break on the ball like few players in the country. His senior campaign could be a breakout season if his progress stays the course. Behind McPhearson is a pair of freshman in redshirt Kevin Barnes and true frosh Anthony Wiseman. Barnes is the team's tallest corner and has very good cover skills while Wiseman was a high school All-American who will be coming back from a knee injury. He will be healthy in the fall and brings the team another speedy defensive back and all-around athlete (he also excelled at tailback and in returns as a prep).
At boundary corner, Wilson is also looking to take the next step toward being one of the league's top backs. Wilson also ran track in the offseason and clocked in at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. He is both intelligent and headstrong and though he spends much of the game talking, he spends just as much backing it up. Sophomore transfer Isaiah Gardner (Notre Dame) has moved from safety and will back up Wilson as well as see action in nickel and dime packages. Redshirt freshman Richard Taylor and newcomer Jamari McCullough will be working behind the duo.
"We were concerned going into spring about having enough players, but I thought Josh Wilson had a very good offseason and Gerrick (McPhearson) has improved his consistency and his toughness," said Friedgen. "He has really matured for us as a kid and I am hopeful that he has the year it looks like he will have. We have some young guys back there, but from what I have seen with Gary (Blackney)'s guys, the longer they are with him, the better their technique will get."
At safety, things played out probably as well as could have been expected in the spring. Senior Milton Harris made a move at strong safety and will enter fall camp competing with junior Marcus Wimbush for the starting job. Wimbush, one of the team's best hitters, has stepped up his play in coverage and will play in nickel and dime at worst. One other player who could be a factor to start at the position is sophomore Christian Varner.
Varner will enter fall as the starter at free safety, but his situation is to be determined. He missed most of spring with a high ankle sprain but came back for the last practice and the spring game and played very well, showing the intelligence and reckless abandon that has him likely penciled in at one spot or the other. What has precipitated the possible move, despite his strong play, is a combination of both his cover skills (and Blackney's preference for a player with corner cover skills at strong safety) and the emergence of J.J. Justice. Justice is big, physical and runs very well. Once considered a little "stiff," his progress in the last year has excited coaches and has him knocking on the door of a starting job. True freshman Jeff Allen, another athletic player, gives the team yet another big, physical safety to throw in the mix.
"At safety, we have been very happy with the play of J.J. Justice and that might give us some options at both safety spots," said Friedgen. "Then when we go nickel we can use Josh there and Isaiah at corner and then move Wimbush in when we are in dime. Anyway, things are better at both safety and corner than what we thought it was going to be and if these young players continue to improve, we will be in good shape for a few years."
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 Posted July 26 Linebackers Posted July 28 Defensive Backs Today Specialists Thursday, August 4Other 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).
