COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The first game of the Maryland Terrapins' 2008 campaign is exactly a month away, but the team has plenty of work to do between now and then. That final preparation commences when preseason football camp opens this weekend.

The preseason's first practice is slated for 4:15 p.m. Monday, and more than three weeks of rigorous workouts will follow, culminating with the opening game against Delaware on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium (3:45 p.m. ET).

Before achievement of fall's gridiron glories can be considered, though, the Terps know they must endure the sweltering heat of August on the practice field if they are to succeed in the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference and earn a third consecutive bowl game berth.

Heading into camp, one of the team's top priorities will be stabilizing the depth chart at quarterback.

Junior Chris Turner, who started the final eight games in 2007, enters camp as the No. 1 signal-caller, but senior Jordan Steffy and junior Josh Portis also are in the mix, and each will have opportunities during practice in the coming weeks to practice to orchestrate an offense that returns nine starters from a year ago.

Whoever takes snaps under center will have the luxury of operating behind a veteran offensive line. Anchored by preseason All-ACC choice Edwin Williams at center, the line features six seniors and eight returning letterwinners, as well as fifth-year player Dan Gronkowski at tight end. The logjam of experienced players and some talented youngsters on the line should make for good competition during camp.

The depth of the offensive line, coupled with a dangerous receiving corp led by junior All-America Darrius Heyward-Bey and seniors Danny Oquendo and Isaiah Williams, should compensate for relative inexperience in the ground game. The running back duo of sophomore Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green have shown promise, as demonstrated by Scott's limited action last season.

Defensively, senior Jeremy Navarre, who boasts a team-high 35 career starts, has moved from defensive end to defensive tackle as the Terps attempt to revamp a defensive line that lost two starters from a year ago. Senior Mack Frost, who missed the spring while recovering from off-season surgery, is expected to assume the starting role at defensive end, while a battle should ensue at nose tackle between senior Olugbemi Otulaja, redshirt freshman Dion Armstrong and junior Travis Ivey. Senior Trey Covington is manning the LEO position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker spot, for the fourth consecutive season.

Battles should abound at linebacker, one of the Terrapins' deepest positions, where five players are vying for three starting spots. Seniors Dave Philistin and Moise Fokou both were among ACC leaders in tackles last season, but they face competition at the outside linebacker spots from senior Chase Bullock, who impressed in the spring, and sophomore Adrian Moten. Sophomore Alex Wujciak, who missed all of 2007 with a knee injury, sits atop the depth chart at Mike linebacker.

Looking to fill three starting spots in their secondary, the Terps' will call upon a number of players to join incumbent starting cornerback Kevin Barnes, who recorded a team-high four interceptions in 2007. Juniors Nolan Carroll and Anthony Wiseman and senior Richard Taylor are in the mix at cornerback, while senior Jeff Allen, junior Terrell Skinner and sophomore Antwine Perez will battle to occupy the strong and free safety positions.

The special teams unit returns its starting place-kicker and punter from a year ago in senior Obi Egekeze and sophomore Travis Baltz. Oquendo and Scott served as the primary punt and kickoff returners during 2007, though additional players may share these duties this season.

Freshman report to camp Saturday to begin orientation, while the veterans are scheduled to arrive the following day.

The team will work out in full pads for the first time on Friday, Aug. 8, and hold its first day of two practice sessions on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Practices and scrimmages are closed to the public.

Terp Notes:

Single-Game Tickets on Sale Monday: Season tickets for this fall's seven-game home slate start as low as $189 and remain on sale through the Maryland Athletics Ticket Office. Single-game tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. ET Monday. To purchase season or single-game tickets, call 1-800-IM-A-TERP or click here.

Chill with the Fridge: Terrapin football fans are invited to attend Caddies on Cordell in Bethesda, Md., on Thursday. Head coach Ralph Friedgen, as well as offensive coordinator James Franklin and defensive coordinator Chris Cosh, will be on hand to talk Terps football from 5-7 p.m. In addition to Maryland football, the night will include food and drink specials. The first 50 fans at Caddies on Cordell will receive a free T-shirt. E-mail any questions to mdgridiron@gmail.com. Click here for directions.

Media Day: The Terps will hold their annual Media Day on Monday at the Gossett Team House. Head coach Ralph Friedgen will hold a press conference from noon to 12:30 p.m. which will be available live through Maryland All-Access. Media Day is not open to the public.

Terps Alumni Updates: As the 2008 season approaches, 35 former Maryland football players currently hold spots on NFL rosters, and several have made headlines of late.
• San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis reminisced regarding his childhood and his time at Maryland during a recent interview with San Jose Magazine entitled Once Upon a Time with Vernon Davis. The former All-ACC honoree discusses growing up near Washington, D.C., his admiration for fellow Terp Shawne Merriman and his talent for art, among a myriad of other topics.
• Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither suffered an ankle injury during a training camp practice on Saturday, July 26, according to Injuries a pain for Ravens' line by the Baltimore Sun. A timetable has yet to be established for his return.
• Washington Redskins tight end Jason Goode has been garnering attention lately with his performance at the team's training camp, according to Fresh Face: Jason Goode by the Washington Post. On his hopes of making the Redskins' roster, Goode said: "I just come out here and do the best I can, and hopefully make some more plays the next day."
• Former Maryland standout Lamont Jordan signed with the New England Patriots on July 26, the day after his release from the Oakland Raiders. A report by the Boston Globe entitled Patriots sign veteran RB Jordan announced the move. Jordan has rushed for 3,285 yards and 24 touchdowns in seven seasons with Oakland and the New York Jets.

Maryland Preseason Rankings/Honors

Team

National Rankings:
34th...Lindy's
42nd...Athlon

ACC Predictions:
4th/Atlantic...Athlon
4th/Atlantic...Lindy's
5th/Atlantic...Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA)
6th/Atlantic...The Sporting News

Unit Rankings:
1st-ranked OL in the ACC...Athlon
1st-ranked OL in the ACC...Lindy's
2nd-ranked Special Teams in the ACC...Lindy's
4th-ranked LBs in the ACC...Athlon

Individual

Scott Burley, #77, Offensive Lineman
• Honorable Mention All-America...The Sporting News
• Second Team All-ACC...Athlon
• Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's

Darrius Heyward-Bey, #8, Wide Receiver
• Honorable Mention All-America...The Sporting News
• Fastest Receiver in ACC...The Sporting News
• Second Team All-ACC...Athlon
• Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's
• 16th-ranked WR in Nation...Lindy's

Dave Philistin, #34, Linebacker
• Nagurski Trophy watch list
• Butkus Award Candidate...The Sporting News
• First Team All-ACC...The Sporting News
• First Team All-ACC...Blue Ribbon Yearbook
• First Team All-ACC...Lindy's
• 11th-ranked ILB in Nation...Lindy's
• Second Team All-ACC...Athlon

Jaimie Thomas, #76, Offensive Lineman
• Second Team All-ACC...Athlon
• Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's

Edwin Williams, #60, Offensive Lineman
• Rimington Trophy watch list
• Preseason All-ACC...Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA)
• All-ACC...The Sporting News
• First Team All-ACC...Lindy's
• First Team All-ACC...Blue Ribbon Yearbook
• Second Team All-ACC...Athlon