The Maryland football team has quite a bit of momentum to build on after one of the most successful seasons in school history. Not only did the Terps post another nine-win season and make a run at the Atlantic Coast Conference title, but they also did something never accomplished in school history - they put the finishing touches on their third-straight bowl win.

The Terps' dominating 24-7 victory over Purdue in the 2006 Champs Sports Bowl followed wins over West Virginia in the 2004 Toyota Gator Bowl and Tennessee in the 2002 Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Head coach Ralph Friedgen has taken the Terps to four bowl games in his first six seasons, a feat only legendary Maryland coaches Jerry Claiborne and Bobby Ross can claim.

In addition, the Champs Sports Bowl victory enabled them to finish the season 9-4, marking the 13th time in 114 years of football the Terps won at least nine games. Remarkably, four of those occurrences have come during Friedgen's tenure.

"We had a good season," Friedgen said of last year. "We had a chance to make it a real special season, but came up just a little short."

Despite finishing one win away from the ACC Championship game, Friedgen always wants his team to think big.

"Last spring we talked about winning the ACC title and I don't think our players really believed it," Friedgen said. "But we ended up having an opportunity to do that. That's where we need to look to keep setting our goals high."

Despite of the loss of some key starters from a year ago, the Terps have plenty to build on.

Maryland returns 37 letterwinners, including 12 starters, from the 2006 squad. They'll be joined by another solid recruiting class as Friedgen and the staff signed 25 student-athletes in February, a group which included four All-Americans and 18 all-state honorees.

Six starters are back on offense, including a number of skill position players as running back Lance Ball, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and tight end Joey Haynos are back in the fold. In fact, backs who accounted for 94 percent of the rushing yards have returned, as well as pass-catchers who accounted for 97 percent of the receiving yards.

The Terps do have to replace the triggerman for the last two seasons as quarterback Sam Hollenbach departed, along with All-ACC left tackle Stephon Heyer. Hollenbach and Heyer hope to take their game to next level as they were signed as free agents following the 2007 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

Heyer was the leader on an offensive line which opened holes for Ball and running mate Keon Lattimore, and allowed Hollenbach to toss for over 2,300 yards en route to All-ACC honors.

Junior WR Isaiah Williams is also back and should join Heyward-Bey to form one of the top wideout duos in the league.

Though not considered a returning starter, junior Danny Oquendo complements Heyward-Bey and Williams. Oquendo is a sure-handed receiver who manned the slot last season and may see time on the outside in the fall.

Tim Cesa, the starting fullback last season, will have to be replaced, but Cory Jackson, then just a true freshman, filled in admirably at the end of 2006, starting the final three contests.

In a battle to replace Hollenbach, junior Jordan Steffy emerged from the spring atop the depth chart, but sophomores Josh Portis and Chris Turner were close behind.

Steffy served as the backup the last two seasons, but has seen limited action in his career. However, he has been in Friedgen's offensive system for three years and that gives him a leg up on the competition.

"It's a three-man race, but Jordan has a slight edge," Friedgen said of the quarterback competition heading into fall camp.

Grooming a new signal-caller is nothing new to Friedgen, one of the top offensive minds in college football, who will serve as offensive coordinator for a second season. This will mark the fifth time in the last seven years the Terps will break in a new starting quarterback.

An offensive line that surrendered the second-fewest sacks in the ACC last season will have to be re-tooled.

Senior right guard Andrew Crummey, an All-ACC performer a year ago and a 2007 preseason All-American, headlines this group.

Junior center Edwin Williams had a solid 2006 campaign and should provide plenty of leadership.

"I feel good about our first team," Friedgen said. "We just need to stay healthy up front."

Along with the departure of Heyer, left guard Donnie Woods and right tackle Jared Gaither are not returning this season.

However, Dane Randolph, who started four games at right tackle in 2006, is expected to step into Gaither's spot, while Jaimie Thomas, who split time with Woods at the end of last season, will occupy the left guard position.

Scott Burley, a four-year veteran, played well in spring practice and has stepped into Heyer's left tackle slot.

The defense, meanwhile, also returns six starters, though that unit lost three of its top four tacklers. However, there were a number of part-time players from a year ago who should step into starting roles this season.

"We have more depth on defense than we've had in the past and a lot more than we have on offense," Friedgen said. "Defensively, we have a chance to be very good. We're young, but we have enough experience."

Junior Erin Henderson, the team's leading tackler and an All-ACC performer last season, headlines not only the linebacking corps, but the whole defense.

The country took notice of Henderson. He was named to the 2007 Playboy Preseason All-America team and is on the watch list for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, as the top collegiate defensive player in college.

The defensive line returns some veterans.

Conrad Bolston has departed for the NFL, but junior pass rusher Jeremy Navarre and senior run-stopper Dre Moore return.

Senior Carlos Feliciano, who started seven games last season, will step into Bolston's tackle spot where the Terps hope to have an improved rushing defense.

"We want to improve our tackling and the ability to shed blockers," second-year defensive coordinator Chris Cosh said.

With the departure of Wesley Jefferson and David Holloway, the linebacking corps will have to be a focus. Younger, more inexperienced players will likely man those spots, while Trey Covington is back as the starter at LEO, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position.

The spring featured some heated battles at linebacker as junior Chase Bullock and redshirt freshman Alex Wujciak vied for the Mike position, while redshirt freshman Adrian Moten and junior Moise Fokou pushed each other at Sam.

Both of the those battles should continue through fall camp. There are two personnel and position changes in the secondary where All-America cornerback Josh Wilson and strong safety Marcus Wimbush have departed.

Wilson translated a superb senior season into becoming a second-round choice of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Senior Isaiah Gardner returns at cornerback, though he missed all of the spring to rehab his shoulder injury.

Gardner enters the fall as one starter, while junior Kevin Barnes is atop the depth chart at the other corner.

However, there should be plenty of competition at cornerback in camp. Senior Christian Varner moved from free safety to strong safety in the spring, a switch which seemed to pay dividends.

"Christian looked much more aggressive in the spring," Friedgen said. "We're looking for a big season from him."

Junior J.J. Justice entered the spring No. 1 at free safety and remained there, though sophomore Terrell Skinner will push him in August.

Offense and defense are the first aspects of a football team which come to mind, but many games are won and lost with special teams.

Chief among the concerns of the coaching staff is the lack of a returning punter or place-kicker. All-ACC performers Adam Podlesh and Dan Ennis have completed their eligibility.

Podlesh's resume did not go unnoticed as he was the first punter taken in last spring's NFL Draft when he was chosen in the fourth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. No one on the roster has punted or place-kicked during a collegiate game.

Veteran Obi Egekeze handled kickoff duties for most of last season and possesses a strong leg.

Egekeze came out of the spring No. 1 on the depth chart, but true freshman Travis Baltz, who enrolled in January, is battling for both kicking jobs.

Baltz emerged as the No. 1 punter and is No. 2 at place-kicker.

"There should continue to be competition at both spots in the fall," Friedgen said.

Quarterback

The Terps have some big shoes to fill at quarterback where two-year starter Sam Hollenbach ended a solid career last season. Hollenbach was the unquestioned leader of the offense, directing the Terps to nine victories, including a flawless performance in the Champs Sports Bowl win.

Hollenbach earned MVP honors in the bowl game and ended his career as one of just four quarterbacks in school history to toss for over 5,000 career yards.

But Friedgen, who is also in his second year as offensive coordinator, has plenty of capable replacements.

There are five quarterbacks on the roster, but there appears to be three candidates for the starting spot this fall.

Jordan Steffy, the backup last season, enters the fall atop the depth chart. He is the only signal-caller on the roster to take snaps under center at Maryland. Steffy has played sparingly in his career, but has the necessary skills to be productive in Friedgen's system.

"Jordan has matured tremendously since he came here as far as watching tape and going through the playbook," Friedgen said. "I see a whole different person right now."

Steffy played in just one game last season, but saw action in six contests in 2004 as a true freshman.

"It was disappointing that he wasn't able to play more last year because every game was so close," Friedgen said. "But I did see he really improved in practice and he did some good things, whether he can transfer that to the field is what we have to find out."

Sophomores Josh Portis and Chris Turner will push Steffy. Portis enters the fall No. 2 on the depth chart.

Portis sat out last season after transferring from the University of Florida, but was a highly sought-after recruit two years ago. He possesses a strong arm with the ability to move around the pocket. He played sparingly at UF as a true freshman in 2005.

"Josh has tremendous tools but what people just don't understand is that it takes a while to learn how to play quarterback, especially in our system, or any system," Friedgen said.

Portis didn't see many reps last season, as he spent most of the fall as a scout-team quarterback. He got quite a few more snaps in the spring, but wasn't quite able to showcase his elusiveness.

"Josh really didn't have a chance to show what he can do in the spring because we don't tackle the quarterback," Friedgen. "He's very athletic and has the ability to make people miss."

Turner, who is more of a dropback passer, enters the fall No. 3 on the depth chart. He has spent two years in the Friedgen system and next to Steffy is the most knowledgeable of the offense.

Turner was also highly recruited coming out of high school in 2004.

"Chris played well in the spring," Friedgen said. "He showed he could make some things happen."

Also in the mix for time under center are junior Bobby Sheahin and freshman Jamarr Robinson.

Sheahin transferred from West Virginia two years ago, and Robinson is a true freshman who signed with the Terps in 2006, but enrolled in school in January.

"Jamarr is learning," Friedgen said. "Ideally, we'd like to redshirt him, but we'll see. He's shown me something."

Sheahin is a pocket passer, while Robinson is a threat with his arm and legs.

"Sheahin may have the strongest arm on the team and is pretty mobile," Friedgen said.

Running Back

This is among the deepest and most talented positions on the roster, as the Terps possess one of the most dynamic backfield combinations in the country.

Seniors Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore have only scratched the surface of their potential. This duo combined for over 1,500 yards on the ground last season and will be looking for more in 2007 when each should vie for All-ACC honors.

Ball racked up a team-high 815 rushing yards in 2006, but Lattimore was not far behind with 743. They were one of just five running-back combos in the nation last season to collect over 700 rushing yards apiece.

"Lance Ball is one of the best running backs in the conference," Friedgen said.

Ball ranked seventh in the ACC in rushing (62.7 yards per game) last year and posted eight touchdowns on the ground. He started 11 of 13 games, but had just 14 more carries than his counterpart.

Both can also catch the ball out of the backfield, though Lattimore was used more in that role, totaling 20 receptions to rank fifth on the team.

Lattimore was slowed by a back injury in the spring, but should be ready to go for camp.

"Keon missed all of the spring, but he also played some very good games for us last year," Friedgen said. Redshirt freshmen Morgan Green and Da'Rel Scott were expected to battle for the No. 3 spot in the spring, but an injury to Scott ended that duel. Green took advantage of his opportunity.

"Morgan Green had a very good spring," Friedgen said. "He was much improved."

Green and Scott each have a solid prep pedigree. Green was ranked among the top 20 tailbacks in the nation coming out of high school by Rivals.com, while Scott was listed among top 25 athletes in the country by the same outlet.

A pair of redshirt freshmen - David Akatu and Pha'Terrell Washington - add depth behind Green and Scott.

Washington moved to tailback from the secondary in the spring and saw quite a bit of action due to the injuries to Lattimore and Scott.

Sophomore fullback Cory Jackson took full advantage of his opportunity last season and enters the fall as the lead blocker for Ball and Lattimore. Jackson saw extensive action in the second half of last season, subbing for an injured Tim Cesa, who will not return to the team this season.

Jackson proved to be a capable blocker as the Terps had two of their highest rushing totals (194 vs. Wake Forest and 206 vs. Purdue) in the final two games of the season. He also showed good hands, catching four passes as the outlet receiver.

Depth is a concern at this position as Jackson was the only fullback on the roster at the end of last season.

Sophomore Steve Pfister moved from linebacker over the winter and saw his first action at fullback in the spring. He enters the fall No. 2 on the depth chart.

"Steve gives great effort," Friedgen said. "He's been behind a number of guys at linebacker. He's someone we think can help us at fullback."

Incoming freshman Haroon Brown is a newcomer who may figure into the rotation with the depth at fullback.

Freshman Taylor Watson was an all-state running back in high school and may also compete for time in the backfield.

Wide Receiver

After a somewhat inconsistent 2006 season, the receiving corps, led by returning starters Darrius Heyward-Bey and Isaiah Williams, has a chance to be one of the top units on the team.

Heyward-Bey, one of the most explosive players on the team, is coming off a Freshman All-America season, while Williams showed flashes last year, ending with 29 catches for 379 yards, including a 65-yard effort in the regular-season finale vs. Wake Forest.

Heyward-Bey had one of the top seasons in ACC history as his 694 receiving yards were third all-time on the freshman single-season list.

"Darrius is coming off a really good season and we expect some outstanding things from him this year," Friedgen said.

Junior Danny Oquendo also returns to man the slot receiver position as all but one wideout who caught a pass last season is back (Drew Weatherly had one reception). He was the second-leading receiver on the team in 2006 with 396 yards and served as the primary punt returner.

"Danny gives us a lot of versatility," Friedgen said. "Not just in the return game, but he can also play two receiver positions."

There were certainly a number of highlights from the receiving corps in 2006, including Heyward-Bey's record-setting performance vs. Miami (two touchdowns, including a school-record 96-yard TD catch). He also hauled in three more scores and finished fifth in the conference in receiving (53.4 yards per game).

"We're pretty solid at the top, but need to find a fourth receiver," Friedgen said.

There are a number of candidates, including Adrian Cannon, LaQuan Williams, Emani Lee-Odai, and Kevin Gresham.

Some true freshmen may also get a look, including Tony Logan, Quinton McCree, Torrey Smith, Ronnie Tyler and Lansford Watson.

Logan, Tyler and Watson were all high school All-Americans, while McCree and Smith were all-state prep performers.

Cannon and Lee-Odai are penciled in as backups at the X position, behind Isaiah Williams and Oquendo. Williams missed the spring with a shoulder injury, but should be ready in the fall. He hauled in 28 receptions last season and has loads of potential.

Cannon is another big target. He sat out last season as a redshirt, while Lee-Odai is a tall and rangy local product who has put on about 20 pounds since arriving on campus from Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.

LaQuan Williams, who moved from defensive back in the spring, is listed as the backup to Heyward-Bey, along with Greshman.

Smalls joins Oquendo atop the depth chart at the slot receiver. Smalls enrolled early last year, but used 2006 as a redshirt season.

"Stephen developed as a slot receiver in the spring and showed a lot of improvement," Friedgen said.

Junior Matt Goldberg will continue to have an opportunity for playing time in the fall, though he has yet to see game action.

Freshman Chris Sheahin, whose brother Bobby is a reserve signal-caller, will provide depth at wideout.

Offensive Line/Tight End

Despite the loss of a number of offensive linemen in the off-season, the Terps should have a talented first unit and a few solid backups to start the season.

"We have a solid starting group," Friedgen said. "But we'll need some guys to step up."

The good news is the Terps return four offensive linemen who have started games in their careers, including four regulars from last season. The bad news is no one has seen any significant action behind those four players.

Center Edwin Williams and right guard Andrew Crummey are the returning starters on the line. That duo will be joined by Jaimie Thomas and Dane Randolph, each of whom started multiple times last season.

Senior Scott Burley, an acclaimed high school player who has seen limited action at Maryland, stepped into the left-tackle role in the spring and played well in his first stint with the top unit.

Crummey was an All-ACC choice last season at right guard, while Williams started every game at center on an offensive line which had two running backs each gain over 700 rushing yards and allowed just 19 sacks, the second-lowest total in the ACC.

Crummey should be among the top guards in the nation this season. He's a preseason All-American and a consensus first-team all-conference choice.

Thomas started the final three games of the season at left guard as a replacement for Donnie Woods, who will not return to the team this season. After starting the first 10 games of 2006 at left guard, Woods decided to forego his final season of eligibility. Thomas enters the fall as the starter at left guard.

The Terps will also have to replace both tackles with the departure of Stephon Heyer and Jared Gaither. LT Heyer was an honorable mention All-ACC choice in 2006, while Gaither started nine games at right tackle, but will not play this season.

Randolph split time with Gaither at right tackle toward the end of last season so he comes into the season with plenty of experience. Randolph will open the spring as the starter at right tackle.

"Our offensive line at one point was a real strength and now we've lost some guys," Friedgen said.

Sophomore Phil Costa probably has the most experience among the reserves. He played in just two games last season, but spent the spring of 2005 as the starting center with Williams out of action.

He's a hard worker and one of the strongest members of the team.

Senior Jack Griffin, a two-year letterwinner, has a chance to have a more prominent role this season. Griffin is the backup at right tackle.

Redshirt freshman Evan Eastburn is listed as the backup to Thomas at left guard, while junior Lee Oliver is No. 2 at right guard. Neither has seen game action.

Other reserves who may figure into the mix include redshirt freshmen Paul Pinegar, Danny Edwards and Matthew Harraka, as well as junior Kyle Sappington.

Pinegar was singled out by Friedgen a number of times in the spring for his play. He is listed as Burley's backup at left tackle heading into the fall.

Offensive line is generally not a position where true freshmen play, but there may be an opportunity.

Tyler Bowen, Joe Faiella, Maurice Hampton, Bearthur Johnson, Carl Russell, Stephen St. John and Lamar Young were all highly recruited and may get a chance to see time in the fall.

While the offensive line lost a number of players, tight end has plenty of depth.

The Terps employ a two tight-end set quite often and return starter Joey Haynos, as well as a host of backups. Junior Dan Gronkowski can't quite be considered a backup as he started nine games in 2006.

Haynos, though, received the bulk of the reps and was the Terps' second-leading receiver with 37 catches for 369 yards. He went on to earn honorable mention All-ACC honors and is a preseason all-league selection this year.

"Joey really had a coming-out last year," Friedgen said. "He played very well for us."

Gronkowski is a solid blocker and an improving pass-catcher.

"Dan had a very good spring," Friedgen said. "He and Joey give us two very good tight ends."

Senior Jason Goode also saw time last season and will be joined by redshirt freshman Drew Gloster and sophomore Tommy Galt as backups.

"Goode and Gloster are smaller tight ends, but they run very well and can make plays in the passing game," Friedgen said. "Both can play in space."

Defensive Line

Maryland lost one of its three starters along the defensive line, but does return a part-time starter.

Junior Jeremy Navarre started 12 games at defensive end and tied for the team lead with 3 ½ sacks. He'll be joined by tackle Dre Moore who started 10 games at defensive tackle.

"Depth along the defensive line is one of our concerns on defense," Friedgen said. Navarre missed most of the spring with a knee injury, but it did give some other guys reps.

Moore, who had a solid spring practice, collected 47 tackles, including a team-high tying 3 ½ sacks, last season and did a good job clogging up the middle.

Senior Carlos Feliciano will step into the defensive-tackle role which was occupied by Conrad Bolston last season. Feliciano actually started seven games along the line and saw significant action all season.

Backups at defensive tackle include sophomore Travis Ivey. Junior transfer Olegbemi Otulaja and Dean Muhtadi will add depth in the middle.

Junior Mack Frost and sophomore Jared Harrell are the backups at defensive end with Frost having the most experience with 19 career games under his belt.

"Mack played very well in the spring," Friedgen said. "He got some more reps with Jeremy's injury and played well."

The Terps have some depth at defensive end. Backing up Navarre and Frost are sophomore Deege Galt and junior Ricardo Dacosta.

True freshmen who could see action include Dion Armstrong, one of the top-rated linemen in the country last season, Bruce Campbell, a PrepStar All-American, Ian Davidson and Joe Vellano.

Linebacker

The linebacking corps may have the most question marks among the defensive units, but it's certainly not because of a lack of talent. The only thing holding this group back is experience.

There were battles at nearly every spot in the spring and some will continue into the fall.

Junior Erin Henderson returns to headline this unit. Henderson, the starter at Will LB, is coming off a season in which he recovered from a serious knee injury quite nicely. He posted a team-high 8.8 tackles per game, which ranked second in the ACC and 31st nationally.

Henderson, who missed all of 2005, claimed second-team All-ACC honors in 2006 and should be among the most feared defensive players in the league this fall.

He was named to the 2007 Playboy Preseason All-America team and may be in the running for some postseason awards as well.

Juniors Dave Philistin and Rick Costa are behind Henderson, but both are more than capable of filling in at Will.

Philistin played in all 13 games last season, while Costa showed an ability to rush the passer off the edge. Costa is a player who could see time in nickel situations.

The other two linebacking spots are a little more open.

Junior Chase Bullock and redshirt freshman Alex Wujciak will look to replace Mike LB Wesley Jefferson who graduated in January and gave up his final season of eligibility to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Bullock, who enters the fall No. 1 on the depth chart with Wujciak, played sparingly last season. Bullock saw action in six games as Jefferson took most of the reps inside en route to posting 110 tackles.

"Both Chase Bullock and Alex Wujciak are very good players," Friedgen said. "They had a good battle in the spring."

Junior Moise Fokou and redshirt freshman Adrian Moten enter the fall No. 1 on the depth chart at Sam. These two enjoyed a tough battle in the spring to replace David Holloway, one which should continue into fall camp.

"Fokou and Moten had a good battle at Sam in the spring," Friedgen said. "Both will be good players."

Fokou is a versatile player who played in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker last season.

Alex Schultz, Brian Dickerson and Aaron Ball are reserves who provide depth at each linebacker position.

Junior Trey Covington is back to man the LEO, a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position.

Covington made 11 starts a year ago, tallying 41 tackles. He did miss most of the spring with an injury.

Redshirt freshman Chris Clinton and sophomore Jeff Clement enter the fall as the backups at LEO.

Senior Jermaine Lemons and redshirt freshman Brian Whitmore are behind Clinton and Clement at LEO.

Newcomers at linebacker include Derek Drummond and Ben Pooler.

Secondary

One of the Terps' top defenders over the last two seasons is no longer in the secondary. Cornerback Josh Wilson was not only a productive football player, but a leader in the locker room and off the field after earning honorable mention All-America honors and the James Tatum Award as the top football-playing student-athlete in the ACC in 2006.

However, his counterpart - senior Isaiah Gardner - returns and should assume more of a leadership role in the secondary this season. Gardner started all 13 games at cornerback last season, finishing fifth on the team in tackles with 63. He is expected to assume his starting role again, despite missing spring practice after off-season shoulder surgery.

Junior Kevin Barnes emerged in the spring and sits atop the depth chart at the other cornerback slot entering the fall. He played in all 13 games last season.

"Kevin Barnes had an excellent spring," Friedgen said. "I thought he came into his own. He's a solid cover corner."

Sophomore Anthony Wiseman and junior Richard Taylor are No. 2 at each cornerback slot. Wiseman was hurt most of last season, while Taylor played in all 13 games last season, seeing time on special teams and in the secondary.

Sophomore Nolan Carroll made the move from wide receiver to cornerback in the spring and should be in the mix for playing time in the fall.

"Wiseman and Carroll are both developing, but have shown potential," Friedgen said.

Senior Colin Nelson, redshirt freshman Brandon Jackson-Mills, junior Drew Robinson and sophomore Adam Kareem add depth at cornerback and could see time on special teams.

"There's a lot of guys who have a chance to help us at cornerback," Friedgen said.

The Terps also need a replacement for steady strong safety Marcus Wimbush, who led the secondary in tackles last season with 68.

Senior Christian Varner will move from his free safety spot to take Wimbush's place, while junior J.J. Justice assumes Varner's role.

Varner had a solid junior season and made an easy transition to strong safety in the spring.

Justice played in all 13 games last season and started one game at strong safety. Sophomore Terrell Skinner is the backup free safety after seeing action in eight games last season.

"Skinner is at the developmental stage, but he's a big, strong, fast player," Friedgen said.

Skinner should continue to push Justice in the fall.

Junior Jeff Allen should give the safety unit even more depth. He played in every game last season and looks poised to vie for extensive time this season.

"Jeff had a very good winter and we're looking for good things from him this year," Friedgen said. "He's a steady player."

Sophomore Jamari McCollough, a reserve strong safety, was recovering from a knee injury in the spring and saw limited action, but should be at full speed in the fall.

Jared Baum, Taji Thornton and Femi Akinwande add depth at safety.

The lone coaching staff adjustment for the Terps in the off-season affected the secondary as Kevin Lempa was hired to oversee this group. Tim Banks left to become the defensive coordinator at Central Michigan.

Lempa will look to groom some newcomers in the fall as Michael Carter, a transfer from Erie Community College, and freshmen Dominique Herald and Trenton Hughes will be added to the defensive backfield mix.

In addition, Antwine Perez, a heralded recruit two years ago, transferred from USC in January. He'll sit out this season and have three years of eligibility beginning in 2008.

Special Teams

Special teams is one of the biggest question marks for the Terps heading into the fall.

Adam Podlesh was an All-ACC punter and two-time semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award. His consistency may have been his best attribute, as he became the first player in school history to earn all-league honors four times, including second-team last season.

While Podlesh is taking his game to the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL, Dan Ennis was quietly one of the top place-kickers in the conference the last two seasons.

Ennis connected on 20 of 25 field goals last year, including the game-winner in a pulsating 13-12 road victory over No. 19 Clemson. Ennis tied for ninth nationally in field goals per game (1.54).

Junior Chris Roberts and true freshman Travis Baltz, who entered school in the spring, will continue to battle for the punting job. Baltz enters the fall No. 1 on the depth chart, but Roberts comes in No. 2.

Baltz, a freshman from Whitehouse, Ohio, is also in the mix at place-kicker.

"Travis is a good-looking kid with long legs which should give him some leverage punting," Friedgen said. "He's still in the developmental stage and it was good for him to get in early this spring and get exposed to the level of competition."

After serving as one of the kickoff specialists the last two seasons, junior Obi Egekeze is slightly ahead in the battle to replace Ennis as the place-kicker. He has never attempted a kick in a game.

Egekeze sits atop the depth chart, but Baltz is not far behind.

"We should have good competition at both kicking spots in the fall," Friedgen said.

Junior Danny Oquendo is back as the No. 1 punt returner. He ranked eighth in the ACC in returns last season, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt.

With the departure of Josh Wilson, who ranked 11th in the nation with 27.3 yard average, the Terps are in search of a kickoff return specialist.

Redshirt freshman Da'Rel Scott enters the fall No. 1 on the depth chart, but a number of individuals will get a shot, including Terrell Skinner and Anthony Wiseman.

No one in that group has returned kickoffs, though Oquendo and Nolan Carroll each have limited experience in that capacity.