March 7, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the fifth in a six-part series previewing the Maryland football team as it heads into spring practice for 2006. Today's segment takes a look at the Maryland defensive front and linebackers in its first spring under new coordinator Chris Cosh. Check back every Tuesday and Thursday before the start of camp on April 1st for the most recent preview.

Defensive Line
The Terps were solid on the defensive line last year, but will be looking to get more athletic this season. With no newcomers arriving this spring, that order would seem tall, but it is not at all unreasonable. The team did not lose a single lineman from last year and several young players are waiting in the wings who could help change the whole dynamic and who goes where.

At defensive end, Jeremy Navarre returns after a true freshman season that showed promise. Navarre plays with good leverage and showed that he could do one of either two things from this point on. With improved quickness and closing speed, he will be a force at end or with improved strength, he could actually be versatile enough to play inside. There are no plans for the latter to take place, but his youth, room to grow and ability to move larger players make that a possible option. Competing with Navarre for playing time this year will be junior Omarr Savage, a strong pass rusher who played well when given time toward the end of the season, and sophomore Mack Frost, a player who should be ready to blossom. Deege Galt will also look to factor in while the possibility exists that a couple of the younger players who will start spring lining up at LEO make the move if they have gotten bigger. Overall, defensive end and the goal of added athleticism is what could affect the entire line.

At defensive tackle, the Terps have an athletic player and just hope that his progress will continue. Junior Dre Moore has started each of the last two seasons slow, but by season's end was opening eyes with his combination of quickness and strength. At almost 300 pounds, he is impressively one of the team's top five strongest players, pound-for-pound. Moore will be backed up by hard-working Dennis Marsh and second-year player Travis Ivey. Ivey is short on experience, but if his adjustment to the college game and what it takes to be successful continues to improve, the team could have a player to watch.

Conrad Bolston returns for his senior season at nose tackle and gives the line an honors candidate coming off of his finest season. Bolston led the team in sacks (5.0) last year, holds the point of attack yet plays the run well and is without question one of the key players to next season's success. Behind him is junior Carlos Feliciano, a player who will not likely put up spectacular numbers but is very good at holding the point and occupying blockers, making other players better.

"I would like for us to get a little more athletic on the defensive line," said Friedgen. "A guy like Dre Moore I would hope would come on and mature, fulfilling his potential. Conrad should have a great senior year and I thought he played very well last year. But on the whole, we are going to put our best three guys on the field and spring will probably give us a better idea of who goes where because we do have some younger players at end and some at LEO who could possibly move."

Linebacker
One of the most interesting spots on the Maryland roster will be LEO this year. Like defensive end, it could affect other spots if some of the younger players mature into something different than the position where they started their careers. But moreover, it is interesting because more than any other position, it has a plethora of young talented players.

The LEO position at Maryland is a tough one to fill because of the number of responsibilities a player has. Run support, pass rush and coverage are all necessary and it takes a special blend of strength and athleticism to fill the role. Before this year, it was hard at times to find one player to play it effectively. This year, the team has three or four players it is excited about.

Trey Covington had a strong first year and returns as the starter. Just a sophomore, coaches feel he is a player to watch and gives the team the type of pass rusher it desires. Junior Jermaine Lemons had his most productive season last year and excels in run support. Redshirt freshmen Barrod Heggs and Jared Harrell will be looking to compete for playing time as well. Both players move well, have gotten bigger and stronger, and still have room to grow. Heggs is a player who looked good enough to play last season but coaches chose to redshirt him early and stuck to that commitment. He is the type of player who could move to end if he continues to progress physically.

"We are probably better now at LEO than we have ever been," said Friedgen. "We almost have a logjam. There are so many players at the position, but that isn't a bad thing. A lot of young kids, but it will be interesting to watch it pan out in the spring."

In five years, two players have played the "Mike" linebacker position at Maryland - E.J. Henderson and D'Qwell Jackson. Between the pair, there exists three ACC Defensive Player of the Year trophies in the Terp trophy case. Who is next in line will be heavily-scrutinized.

Wesley Jefferson heads into the spring as the starter and has a firm grip on the position. Jefferson is a player who is never going to "wow" anybody with his testing numbers off the field, but what he exemplifies is a football player. He might not run the fastest 40-yard dash, but he will be the first player to the ball. He might not post the highest bench press, but he will put as punishing of a hit on an opposing ball carrier as any player on the field. As was said three years ago when Jackson became the starter, Maryland will likely not miss a beat with him in the lineup.

Behind Jefferson are a group of outstanding young players. Sophomore Chase Bullock will be in the mix both at linebacker and special teams (kick coverage) and will be working to stave off challenges from redshirt freshman Marvin Peoples and true frosh Chris Clinton, both Florida products. Peoples does not meet the ideal physical characteristics one would look for, but as Friedgen states: "I just think that when it's all said and done, you are going to find yourself saying `gosh, he's a productive player.'" Clinton arrives for an early look in spring and early indications are that he is physically more advanced than what was originally believed. There is no doubt he can run.

On the strong side, David Holloway is the lone returnee to the linebacking corps and gives the team a solid, effort guy whose production will be a given. Behind him will be second-year player Dave Philistin, an active, athletic player who played well last year as a true freshman both at linebacker and on special teams. He is the future of the position. Another second-year player, Jeff Clement, will also get a look after a solid first season on the practice squad. At weakside linebacker, the return of Erin Henderson is eagerly anticipated. Henderson injured his knee in fall camp last year but has worked so that he is able to play with no limitations this spring. If he can return to the form he had last spring and early in fall, he could be one of the surprises in the ACC as he makes plays all over the field. Behind Henderson is another surprise in junior Moises Fokou. Fokou redshirted last year after transferring from Frostburg State and was scout team player of the week three times and earning the praises of coaches for his efforts on a regular basis. Another player who could factor in if injury is not an issue is Rick Costa, brother of Phil, who transferred from Temple before last season. Costa is an athletic, physical player who was opening eyes before sustaining an injury to his left shoulder.

"I watched Wesley on film this offseason, and he is much more athletic on the field than any off-field numbers would show," said Friedgen. "I think we will get two real good years out of him. We will be in good shape at `Sam' with Holloway and we are hoping Erin Henderson comes around and is where he was at this time last year. Erin has done a great job and is a real tough kid."

Spring Outlook Schedule