Terps Preseason Football Camp Log: Day 19
8/24/2007 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With the final preseason football scrimmage in the books Thursday and game planning already underway for the season opener versus Villanova, University of Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and his staff made a number of personnel decisions Friday.
Following the team's workout, Friedgen officially announced Jordan Steffy as the Terps' starting quarterback.
Steffy entered the spring No. 1 on the depth and has never really looked back, distancing himself from sophomores Josh Portis and Chris Turner during the preseason. Steffy has played well in each of the three scrimmages, including a 19-for-26, 165-yard performance Thursday.
Friedgen said Steffy's knowledge of the offense and patience in the pocket helped tilt the balance in his favor.
"He's been ahead since the spring, and I think if anything he's probably widened the gap," Friedgen said. "He knows the offense very well and he's a very instinctive player. He's also a leader on the team."
Steffy is the lone signal-caller on the roster to take a snap at Maryland, playing in six games as a true freshman in 2004 and in one contest last season.
"Now he has to go out and relax and let it happen," Friedgen said. "He needs to let the game come to him and don't try and force it. One of the things I like about him is that he's patient. He'll take the check down."
However, Friedgen did not rule out playing more than one quarterback.
"Josh can do some things that you can't coach," Friedgen said. "If the situation presents itself we might try to get Josh in the game and see what he can do. I told Jordan not to be concerned about that. He's earned the spot."
Portis, who is second on the depth chart along with Turner, has proven to be a speedy and elusive runner once he escapes the pocket, and has broken off several long runs in practice.
Friedgen maintained that all three quarterbacks impressed him in their battle for the top spot.
"The other two guys didn't play poorly, they just still have a lot of the little things they have to get better on," he said. "It will come in time. I like all three of those kids. They all have a chance to be players."
The Terps have also settled on most of the kicking specialists. Obi Egekeze will open the season as the place-kicker and true freshman Travis Baltz will be the punter.
Friedgen had not come to a decision on a kickoff specialist, though he was leaning towards Chris Roberts, noting that he had kicked well while handling a majority of the kickoffs in Thursday's scrimmage.
There is still a battle brewing at right tackle where Jack Griffin may have overtaken Dane Randolph.
"Jack's had a better camp, though Dane played better last night," Friedgen said.
True freshmen (besides Baltz) who may see action this season include Bruce Campbell, Haroon Brown and Dominique Herald. Campbell is backing up Scott Burley at left tackle, while Brown is moving up the depth chart at fullback. Herald has a chance to see time on special teams.
Friedgen also mentioned there is still competition at the `Z' receiver between LaQuan Williams and Isaiah Williams, and at the `X' receiver where Adrian Cannon and Quinton McCree continue to battle for time behind Darrius Heyward-Bey.
The freshman All-American is the starter at `X,' but has missed time over the last week due to injury.
In addition, Friedgen singled out a number of veterans who played well during the three-week camp, including LB Alex Schultz, OL Matthew Harraka, RB Keon Lattimore, TE Dan Gronkowski and Burley.
"I also thought Mack Frost had an unbelievable camp and Erin (Henderson) played very well," Friedgen said.
The Terps are scheduled to practice at 4 p.m. Saturday and will be off Sunday. The team hits the field again Monday afternoon.
All practices are closed to the public, while credentialed members of the media may attend the first five periods (approximately 30 minutes) of each workout.
