COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Preseason football camp at the University of Maryland is all about making personal sacrifices for the good of the team and its collective desire for success on the field.

Each member of the squad devotes incredible amounts of time and energy during August, a crucial month of preparation necessary to endure the rigors of the college football season. Some players, however, make even greater sacrifices, including giving up the position for which they were recruited.

Such was the case for several Maryland football players as the team held its second preseason practice Tuesday afternoon. True freshman Kenny Tate, formerly a wide receiver, had traded in his white practice jersey for a red defensive one in order to suit up at strong safety for the Terps.

Tate, who at 6-foot-4 stands several inches taller than many of his teammates in the secondary, shifted to the defensive side of the ball to help the team build depth in an area of need. He joins fellow defensive backs Terrell Skinner and Nolan Carroll, both of whom are former wideouts who underwent similar positional transformations last season.

"You don't usually see a lot of wide receivers convert to DBs, but I think Skinner is playing right now the best he's played and so is Carroll," head coach Ralph Friedgen said after practice. "What's interesting is both of them are pretty physical kids."

That physicality was on display Tuesday not only by members of the secondary, but also by the entire defensive unit. Performing drills aimed to improve pursuit of the football, the defense practiced more aggressively while playing under a clouded sky that made the heat more bearable.

Seniors LEO Trey Covington, defensive back Jeff Allen and defensive lineman Mack Frost, who contributed a couple of sacks, each were among the players to have strong practices on the defensive side of the ball, according to Friedgen.

"We had a break from the heat, and we had a good practice," Friedgen said. "I thought our energy was very good. I thought some things on defense were much better today than they were yesterday."

During a special teams' portion of practice, players participated in a punt-blocking drill for which they lined up under a chute before attacking punters Travis Baltz and Ted Townsley as the ball was snapped. Special teams coach Danny Pearman told the players to `scoop and score' whenever they managed to deflect a punt attempt.

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterbacks Chris Turner and Josh Portis both completed 3 of 4 passes during the opening segment of the team drills, and fellow signal-caller Jordan Steffy found a streaking Isaiah Williams on a deep pass over the middle during the same session.

The Terps will adorn shoulder pads for the first time on Wednesday, enabling the coaching staff to perform better evaluations following the emphasis on teaching that has occurred during the opening two practices.

An even better evaluation period, though, will present itself Saturday, when the team plays its first intrasquad scrimmage at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. The coaching staff intends to have veterans participate in 15 to 25 plays and younger players taking part in approximately 50 plays during the scrimmage.

All practice and scrimmages are closed to the public.

Terp Notes:

Competition Heats Up: The Terps have only practiced for two days, but Friedgen indicated after Tuesday's practice that some players atop the depth chart are being pushed. Redshirt freshman Torrey Smith is pushing incumbent starter Isaiah Williams at X receiver. Williams has started the last two seasons, but Smith was singled out in the spring as a potential difference maker by Friedgen and the rest of the coaching staff. Senior left tackle Scott Burley, who was a second-team All-ACC choice, is trying to fend off a challenge from Bruce Campbell, who played as a true freshman last season. Friedgen also singled out freshman running back Davin Meggett for his play during camp. Meggett has not only showed quickness running the ball, but also blocked a punt in special teams drills.

12 Days of ACC Football: The ACC announced Monday that the league's official Web site, www.theACC.com, will feature a special preseason football preview entitled "The 12 Days of ACC Football 2008: The Road to Tampa Bay". The series, a virtual preview tour of the league's 12 football programs, began Monday with a look at NC State and will continue for 12 consecutive days concluding on Friday, August 15 with Virginia Tech. Maryland will be featured Wednesday. The previews will feature schedules, a review of the 2007 season, coaches biographies and a forecast of the upcoming season written by Raycom Sports' Mike Hogewood.

Aaron's Football Saturday's in the South: Aaron's Football Saturdays in the South, Raycom Sports' popular summer mini-series, has a Maryland flavor in a pair of its segments. Episode No. 2 features long-time Terrapin sideline reporter Tim Strachan, while wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is a subject of episode No. 5. The second in the six-part series airs locally at 2 p.m. on Saturday on WTTG-TV (FOX 5). Episode No. 5 is slated to air at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, also on WTTG. Click here for a complete clearance list of the series.

Byrd Stadium Construction Update: Construction continues on the suites at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. Click here to view the construction cam and a blog.