Q&A With Defensive Back Terrell Skinner
7/14/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
July 14, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With just three weeks remaining until preseason camp commences, it is hard to fault Maryland football player Terrell Skinner for being excited. The junior free safety is penciled in to start this season as the Terrapins look to replace three of four starting members of the secondary from a year ago, including Skinner's predecessor, J.J. Justice.
Playing in a reserve role in 2007, Skinner accounted for 12 tackles and a forced fumble. He was a major contributor on special teams, recording 10 tackles and returning 10 kickoffs for 176 yards. This season Skinner hopes to have an expanded role in Maryland's defensive backfield while remaining active on special teams.
Skinner sat down with umterps.com last week following a workout.
Maryland lost three of four starting defensive backs from last season. How do you and your teammates in the secondary approach filling those voids?
"We approach it like we are the starters. We're going to go out there and do our thing. (Our predecessors) taught us a lot, and we've learned a lot. We're going to go out and approach this season like we're the starters."
Is there an adrenaline rush that comes from returning kickoffs?
"Oh yeah. The crowd is yelling and the ball is coming your way. Just knowing that you are the first guy touching the ball to start the offensive possession, it's a rush."
The Terps seem to have a strong receiving corp. Does covering those guys during practice benefit the secondary?
"All the time. I think we have some of the best receivers in the nation. We've got Darrius Heyward-Bey, Isaiah Williams, Danny Oquendo and a bunch of young guys, too. It helps to go against them every day. They're all fast, so it helps us get acclimated to the speed of the game."
Your father is a police detective. What was it like growing up in your household?
"We had strict rules. He made sure I always had my head on straight. I came from a very structured home."
In high school you returned a punt for a touchdown as time expired to win a game. What sort of accomplishment would it take at Maryland to top that?
"Doing that at this level. I've been playing this game since I could walk, so to return a kickoff like that at this level in this sort of venue (Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium) would be huge."
You are a converted wide receiver. Does having played that position give you an advantage in covering wideouts as a defensive back?
"Yeah it does. I can kind of gauge what route they are going to run based on their splits and how they're coming off the line. I've been through that myself, so I have an idea of what receivers are going to do."
You are from St. Petersburg, Fla., and initially you were considering pursuing a collegiate football career in your home state. What made you decide to come to Maryland?
"My recruitment coordinator (former Maryland secondary coach) Tim Banks, he came down and sold Maryland to me. Outside of football, it also seemed like a good opportunity with the academics and being close to Baltimore and DC and everything. He stressed that there was life after football and that I could make lifelong connections here."
The locker next to yours is occupied by senior cornerback Kevin Barnes. Does he provide leadership for the defensive backs?
"Yeah, he's my roommate. Kevin Barnes is a very knowledgeable player. He isn't outspoken or loud or anything, but he has a lot of wisdom to give us. He's been around for a long time."
