Dec. 11, 2008

This is the first in a six-part series celebrating Maryland football seniors. This segment features wide receiver Danny Oquendo.

By Joey Flyntz, Athletics Media Relations Staff

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Whether catching key passes from his slot receiver position, turning field position with big punt returns or even throwing the occasional touchdown off a trick play, Danny Oquendo has done a little bit of everything in his four years in College Park.

A highly-touted wide receiver and safety recruit out of Hackensack, N.J., Oquendo is now in his third year as full-time receiver and primary punt returner for the Terrapins.

Whereas some players might be overwhelmed with returning punts and playing receiver most downs, Oquendo thinks nothing of it and goes about his business, giving his all on every snap.

"I don't do anything special to prepare [for both duties]," Oquendo said. "Everyone has their roles on this team and mine are to come in and make plays as a third-down receiver and return punts."

Then a sophomore, Oquendo developed into one of the top receivers on the team two seasons ago as one-third of the then-inexperienced young trio of receivers, also including Darrius Heyward-Bey and Isaiah Williams. Oquendo averaged more than 11 yards per reception that season with two touchdowns, helping to lead the revamped Maryland passing game as the team went 9-4, contended for an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and defeated Purdue in the 2006 Champs Sports Bowl.

One of the more memorable performances of Oquendo's sophomore season came in the team's upset victory at Clemson. Oquendo caught five passes for 36 yards in the game, but his 9-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter was the only touchdown by either team in the contest.

Unfortunately for Clemson fans, Oquendo had one more memorable performance in store for the faithful in Death Valley this season.

While Oquendo's four-catch, 49-yard performance in Maryland's 20-17 victory at Clemson Sept. 27 might not stick out on the box score, a more in-depth dissection of those numbers tells an impressive tale.

Three of those four catches came on the Terps' go-ahead scoring drive in the fourth quarter, including 43 of the 45 total yards gained by Maryland during the drive. All three receptions resulted in first downs.

"Those are probably my favorite games to play: against a ranked team on the road," Oquendo said of playing at Clemson. "Especially at a stadium like Death Valley. The fans are going nuts, booing you. The only people cheering for you are on your sideline. That just motivates me and fuels me."

In between the stellar performances at Clemson as a sophomore and senior, there was disappointment as a junior in the form of a season-ending knee injury after nine games, which came the week of the pivotal upset victory of Boston College.

However, Oquendo successfully rehabbed the injury and has picked up this season where he left off before.

Playing in the regular season finale at Boston College on Nov. 29, Oquendo enjoyed a career game, producing career highs with nine receptions for 111 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Chris Turner. Four of his receptions against the Eagles resulted in third-down conversions and two resulted in fourth-down conversions.

Known primarily for his speed and good hands, Oquendo had the rare opportunity to display his throwing arm in the Sept. 20 win against Eastern Michigan. With his team up 13 points midway through the fourth quarter, Oquendo helped put away the Eagles on a wide receiver pass to Williams, hitting his fellow receiver in stride for the crowd-pleasing score.

"He's been telling me all year that we needed to get that pass into the game plan," Maryland wide receivers coach Lee Hull said. "I kept thinking, `he can't throw, he can't throw.' But we put it in, and he completed every one in practice."

"I had been waiting to throw a pass here since I last did it in high school," Oquendo added. "I saw Isaiah come wide open and I knew I had it. As soon as I released the ball, I just put my hands in the air, because I knew it was a touchdown."

Passer rating aside, Oquendo's scoring toss was another display of his overall versatility. Receiving, however, remains at the forefront of his football abilities. Through the end of the regular season, Oquendo ranks second on the team in receiving yards (371) and tied for second in receptions (29). Even more impressive, 13 of those catches have come on third down and resulted in a first down for the Terps.

Through his injury rehab, in-depth knowledge of the offense, productivity and strong work ethic, Oquendo has become a role model for talented young receivers like Torrey Smith and Ronnie Tyler.

"He's been really helpful for Ronnie, since they play the same position," Hull said. "I'm always on Ronnie to watch Danny and watch how he runs routes and reads coverages. It's definitely good to have someone like that around. He's played for four years, so he knows his way around."

As a New Jersey native, Oquendo represents Maryland's effective recruiting efforts in the Garden State. The Terps have traditionally recruited well in New Jersey, as former and current Maryland players like Lance Ball, Alex Wujciak, Phil and Rick Costa all hailed from the state.

Maryland has battled Rutgers for the top players from New Jersey in recent years, and Oquendo had offers from both schools. Fortunately for Maryland, Oquendo chose to be a Terp instead of attending the school where some of his friends and family members received their education.

Last year, Oquendo and the Terps took the recruiting battle to the football field. For Oquendo and the rest of Maryland's New Jersey contingent, it was a chance to validate their college decision. Validation they got, stunning the Scarlet Knights on the road, 34-24.

"It felt pretty amazing to go into our home state and win against a Rutgers team that was playing really well and ranked in the top 10," Oquendo said. "A lot of family friends got to see me play in person, so that was a lot of fun."

Oquendo is hoping to latch on to an NFL roster next year, but when his football career ends, he will be prepared. A criminal justice major, Oquendo is scheduled to graduate in December and is interested in beginning a career in law enforcement in the Washington, D.C. area, possibly with the Department of Homeland Security.