2008 Football Season Outlook
8/5/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Despite coming off their fifth bowl appearance in the previous seven seasons, the Maryland Terrapins are hungry to improve upon last year's finish.
The 2007 campaign began with promise as the Terps returned a number of key contributors from a 9-4 team which dominated its bowl game.
The Terps won their first two games last season, and despite a home loss to No. 4 West Virginia and a heart-breaking conference-opening loss to Wake Forest, were in position to compete for an ACC title after wins over No. 10 Rutgers and Georgia Tech.
However, injuries began to mount midway through the season and the Terps could not fully recover. In all, 17 members of the two-deep missed at least one game, including three along the offensive line.
But despite all the injuries, which led to four league losses by a touchdown or less, Maryland still went on post a win over No. 8 Boston College and shut out NC State in the regular-season finale to earn a berth in the Emerald Bowl, the second straight postseason appearance for the Terps.
Head coach Ralph Friedgen is hopeful that last year's hard luck will turn to good fortune in 2008.
"The injuries impacted us, but a lot of guys got on the field who may not have last season," Friedgen said. "Hopefully, that adversity will help us this year. I think we have a chance to have a very good team."
The Terps return a mostly veteran squad in 2008 with 46 letterwinners, including 14 offensive and defensive starters, back in the fold.
Among the letterwinners are 20 players who have started at least one game in their careers.
That group will look to return the Terps to the upper echelon of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a process that began shortly after the Emerald Bowl with winter workouts and spring practice.
Friedgen was pleased with how the team performed during the spring, feeling it was a productive five weeks.
"I think we had a good spring, we got a lot accomplished," Friedgen said. "A lot of players got reps. I saw a lot of kids develop. It was a learning experience. We were learning a new offense and we had some changes on special teams.
"We were able to get a good evaluation of a lot of the younger kids. We had 107 players in spring practice. We gave the younger kids a lot of opportunity to show themselves and we're pleased with where they are. But when we get back into fall camp, we'll narrow that down and work mostly the first and second teams to get ready for the season."
Even before the team began its off-season program, there were some changes in the program.
Friedgen surrendered his dual role of head coach and offensive coordinator, which he served the last two seasons.
He also hired three new staff members, including tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Danny Pearman, wide receivers coach Lee Hull and offensive coordinator/assistant head coach James Franklin, who was on staff during Friedgen's first four seasons in College Park.
"I think having a new offensive coordinator and new special teams coach have really added a new excitement to our program," Friedgen said. "I like our staff. They relate to the kids well and I think the kids are having more fun.
"I also think our team morale is very good and that translated into good practices this spring."
Though the Terps will now employ more of a west-coast based offense, much of what Franklin has learned offensively comes from Friedgen's influence. Franklin was also the offensive coordinator at Kansas State the last two years after spending one season with the Green Bay Packers.
"One of the reasons I was interested in James was the knowledge he had about what we did in the past," Friedgen said.
While the offensive philosophy has altered some, there shouldn't be wholesale changes to a unit which returns 23 letterwinners, including nine starters, the most in Friedgen's seven seasons.
The Terps will have four of their five starting offensive linemen back, as well as starting QB Chris Turner and all of the receiving corps, headlined by 2007 All-America choice Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Now after working through the off-season program, Friedgen is convinced the changes have been a plus.
"I'm pleased with where we are offensively," Friedgen said. "There are still some things we need to improve on, but I like how we're calling things. James is organized and he brings a lot of enthusiasm to the offense."
The defense will have to replace six starters, including first-team All-ACC performers Dre Moore and Erin Henderson, and three members of the secondary. The defense also worked through some changes in the off-season, but those were due mostly to injuries.
With a number of players having off-season surgery and missing spring practice, third-year coordinator Chris Cosh had to shuffle the lineup.
Linebackers Dave Philistin, Moise Fokou and Rick Costa joined DL Mack Frost on the sidelines. But all are expected to be healthy and ready for fall camp.
Seniors Jeremy Navarre and Trey Covington look like the leaders up front.
According to Friedgen, they each played extremely well in the spring. They are two of the most experienced players on the team, having each started more than 30 career games.
Navarre spent the last three seasons at end, but moved inside to tackle in the spring. Covington returns for his fourth season as the starter at LEO.
Despite the loss of Henderson, one of the most productive players in the nation the last two seasons, the linebacker unit should be the deepest group on the defense with a number of players who have seen significant action, including Philistin and Fokou.
Philistin was fourth in the ACC in tackles last season, and Fokou was third on the team in stops. Philistin is drawing national attention. He was placed on the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, which honors the top defender in the country.
The Terps have some experience on defense as 20 letterwinners return from last season's squad. There weren't quite as many injures on defense as there were on offense last year, but there were a number of players, including Adrian Moten, a 2007 Freshman All-America choice, who saw extended time in a reserve role due to teammates being banged up.
The Terps finished 24th in the country in scoring defense and 40th in total defense last season, but there are areas to improve upon.
"We need to do a better job against the run," Friedgen said. "We want to try and become more flexible on the defensive side of the ball and keep finding ways to play to the strength of our players."
Senior cornerback Kevin Barnes is the lone returning starter on the back end of the defense. He was among the ACC's best last season in passes defended.
While most of the regulars are back on special teams, they'll have a new coach in Pearman, whose pedigree includes an eight-year stint on Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech staff. Beamer is well known nationally for his special teams success.
Senior Obi Egekeze and sophomore punter Travis Baltz formed a good tandem last season as first-year starters and should only improve this fall.
All the staff changes have allowed Friedgen to become more involved off the field.
"This has allowed me to get more involved with the players and to make sure I'm spending as much time as possible motivating them," Friedgen said. "I didn't have as much time for that the last two years."
Team Notes:
• The Terps are scheduled to have a veteran team this fall with 31 seniors on the roster, including 21 who are on scholarship. Last season, Maryland had just 15 seniors on its roster. Fourteen members of last year's senior class have already graduated.
• The Terps are scheduled to face eight teams this year which reached the postseason in 2007. ACC foes Clemson, Virginia, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Florida State and Boston College played in bowl games, while Delaware reached the 2008 Football Championship Subdivision title game. In addition, California, which reached as high as No. 2 in the 2007 national polls, also played in a bowl and visits College Park for the first time.
• Three of the top eight crowds in Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium history occurred last season: 53,107 vs. West Virginia (No. 5), 52,827 vs. Boston College (No. 7) and 52,782 vs. Virginia (No. 8). In all, 20 of the top 25 crowds in the history of Byrd Stadium have come in Ralph Friedgen's seven seasons.
• Maryland's league road schedule may be the toughest in the ACC. The Terps' four road games (Boston College, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Virginia) come against the top two finishers from each division last year.
• The Terps' nine returners on offense are the most since 1999 when Maryland had 10.
• Nearly half the 46 returning letterwinners have started at least one game in their career. In all, 20 Terps have started at least one contest. DL Jeremy Navarre has started a team-high 35 games. C Edwin Williams has the most starts among offensive players with 26.
• Members of the 2008 Terrapin Council, the team's leadership group, include seniors Kevin Barnes, Scott Burley, Dan Gronkowski, and Edwin Williams, juniors Darrius Heyward-Bey, Cory Jackson and Chris Turner, sophomores Adrian Moten, Da'Rel Scott, and Alex Wujciak, along with freshman Torrey Smith.
• Maryland has not had a punt blocked in the last 98 games (third game of the 1999 season), the longest streak in the nation.
Quarterback
Entering last year, the Terps had limited experience at quarterback, as no one on the roster had started a collegiate game.
The situation has changed considerably with both junior Chris Turner and senior Jordan Steffy serving as the starter last season.
Turner enters the fall as the No. 1 quarterback after posting nearly 2,000 passing yards and the third-best passing efficiency rating in the ACC in 2007.
Turner is holding a slight lead on the quarterback job heading into the fall. He held off a challenge from Steffy and junior Josh Portis during spring practice.
Steffy heads into the fall No. 2 on the depth chart, followed by Portis.
Friedgen is hoping the experience factor translates into increased production under center.
"Turner and Steffy have played a lot of football and we've won with both of them," Friedgen said. "Even though Portis has the least experience, he has also played in a college game."
Friedgen is looking for one of the quarterbacks to grab the starting job during the preseason.
"They're not totally there understanding the new offense, Friedgen said. "I'm hoping they'll get it down this summer and someone will separate themselves in the preseason."
Turner was solid in most of his outings last season.
The junior replaced an injured Steffy in the Rutgers game, led the team to a victory over the 10th-ranked team in the country and went on to start the final eight games of the season.
Steffy started the first five contests last season and was sixth in the league in passing efficiency when he went down with a concussion against the Scarlet Knights.
It was a tough blow for the fifth-year player, who battled knee and shoulder woes earlier in his career.
"Jordan's as healthy now as he's been," Friedgen said.
Each of the quarterbacks brings a different element to the field.
"Jordan is mobile, while Chris is more of a pocket passer, but he'll scramble and make 10 yards." Friedgen said.
Portis missed the last two seasons, but he's likely to push for time in the preseason.
He transferred from Florida in 2005 and sat out 2006 due to NCAA transfer rules. Portis was ruled ineligible prior to the last year's opener and missed the whole season, though he did practice with the team.
"Josh is hungry right now after being off for two years," said Franklin. "He's got freakish physical skills but needs to continue his development as a quarterback."
The Terps are also looking to build for the future.
Redshirt freshman Jamarr Robinson is the only other quarterback on the roster who has been in the system.
He is fourth on the depth chart entering the season, but served as either the No. 2 or 3 quarterback last year.
"I've been pleasantly surprised with him," Franklin said. "He's done well in the off-season."
Running Back
The loss of two of the top running backs in school history is somewhat of a concern, but the Terps appear to be in good shape.
Sophomores Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green showed this spring why they were both highly recruited coming out of high school. Scott continued to display his breakaway ability, while Green ran well both between and outside the tackles.
Green and Scott will attempt to duplicate the exploits of Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore, who were staples in the backfield the last few seasons.
Ball finished his career No. 4 on the Maryland career rushing list, while Lattimore was 14th on that list.
Scott and Green, who battled for the No. 3 tailback spot last season, do lack experience, but they hope to make up for that in talent. Scott was No. 1 for most of the spring, though Green enters the fall atop the depth chart.
Regardless, of who is No. 1, they are both expected to play extensively.
"Da'Rel and Morgan each had really good springs and we're expecting them to play well this season," Friedgen said.
Overall, returning players account for just 15 percent of last season's rushing yards. Scott and Green combined to carry the ball just 17 times. Scott did show some explosiveness in a limited role last season. He averaged 18.5 yards each time he touched the ball.
Green and Scott offer a different look than Ball and Lattimore.
"Da'Rel is a talented back," Franklin said. "He's got the ability to take it the distance. We just need to keep Da'Rel and Morgan healthy. I think we have more speed back there, but a lot less experience."
Senior Rashad Henry and sophomore Dan Bonato took quite a few snaps in the spring and will vie for time behind Scott and Green.
Neither Henry nor Bonato has played in a game, but each showed an ability to make people miss during the spring.
They could battle for the No. 3 tailback spot in the fall or it could be one of the incoming freshmen.
First-year players Gary Douglas and Davin Meggett are talented backs who could find themselves in the mix for playing time in the fall.
The Terps are in good shape at fullback where junior Cory Jackson has started since the end of his true freshman season. Jackson, one of the toughest players on the team, doesn't carry the ball nor catch it much, but is one of the best blockers in the conference and helped open holes for Ball and Lattimore the last two years.
Sophomore FB Haroon Brown filled in nicely last season as a true freshman. Jackson missed a game with a broken hand and Brown distinguished himself well.
Brown inched closer to Jackson during the spring
"Haroon has really improved," Friedgen said. "He's giving Cory a battle." Redshirt freshman
Taylor Watson will also push for time at fullback along with senior Steve Pfister, who also plays on special teams.
Wide Receiver
The quarterbacks should have plenty of explosive targets to choose from in the fall, as Maryland has a chance to have one of the most potent wide-receiving corps in the nation.There is a veteran layer at the top of the depth chart, but plenty of young, talented players who may figure into the rotation this season.
Junior All-America Darrius Heyward-Bey has been the leader of this group for the last two seasons. He's already pushing his way onto most of the top-10 lists in the Maryland record book, despite only two seasons in uniform.
A former track standout who has translated that speed to the football field, Heyward-Bey has almost 100 catches over the last two seasons.
Joining him atop the depth chart are seniors Isaiah Williams and Danny Oquendo.
Williams has tremendous physical skills, while Oquendo is a steady third-down receiver. Williams has posted nearly 800 receiving yards the last two seasons and shown the ability to stretch the field.
Oquendo has been the team's slot receiver the last two seasons, and he was missed last year after he went down with a knee injury prior to the Boston College game.
At 6-foot-3 each, Heyward-Bey and Williams can go up and get the ball and then outrun defenders.
"We have a real fast group with five guys running under a 4.5 (in the 40-yard dash)," Friedgen said. "We need to get them to translate that to the field consistently."
As the new wide receivers coach, Lee Hull is charged with the task of getting the players to convert their talents to the field.
Hull joined the staff in March from Oregon State, where he coached a number of impressive receivers including Mike Hass, who won the 2005 Biletnikoff Award.
Sophomore LaQuan Williams is another receiver with experience. He had a breakout redshirt-freshman season before being shelved with a knee injury late in 2007. He highlighted his skills in the upset win over No. 10 Rutgers last season, making a remarkable diving catch on third-and-12 to set up a fourth-quarter touchdown. He ended up fourth on the team in receiving yards last season.
The Terps appear to have a solid top four at wideout, with some unproven players behind that group.
"We have a really deep and talented group," Franklin said. "They all have different strengths and we want to try and put people in the right spot."
Redshirt freshman Torrey Smith, who impressed the staff in the spring, opens the fall behind Isaiah Williams at the X receiver spot, while sophomore Emani Lee-Odai and redshirt freshman Quinton McCree serve as Heyward-Bey's backup at Z receiver.
Lee-Odai, one of the fastest players on the team, saw increased action during the second half of last season.
Smith and McCree sat out last season as redshirts, but were impressive during practice. McCree made the travel squad and nearly played in 2007.
Redshirt freshman Ronnie Tyler is another youngster who played in the spring. He finds himself behind Oquendo as the slot receiver. Tyler is somewhat undersized, but has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field.
Sophomore Adrian Cannon, who saw a decent amount of action during the second half of 2007, is slotted as a backup at X receiver behind Isaiah Williams.
The talent level is even solid behind this group.
Redshirt freshmen Tony Logan and true freshman Kevin Dorsey could also push for time. Logan and Dorsey are penciled in as reserves at Z receiver heading into the fall.
Dorsey is a highly-touted local recruit who enrolled in classes in January. He participated in spring practice, but missed some time while rehabbing from a foot injury.
Logan is a little under-sized but he has the ability to make people miss in the open field.
There are also two incoming freshmen with impressive credentials.
Kenny Tate was one of the top recruits in the nation a year ago. The 6-foot-4 product from Forestville, Md., was ranked among the top wideouts in the nation as a senior.
In addition, Kerry Boykins comes to the Terps from Chesapeake, Va. He was also a highly regarded receiver in high school, ranking among the top 20 wideouts by Scout.com.
Offensive Line/Tight End
One year after this unit was decimated with injuries and forced to play some unproven players, the offensive line has a chance to be the strength of the team.
The Terps did lose an All-American in Andrew Crummey, who is off to the NFL, but four players with 66 career starts are back, as are four others who saw significant action last season.
"We've got quite a few guys who have played and done something," Franklin said. "Guys we've won with. If we could just develop some more depth, not just for this year but for the future, that would help"
There are five seniors - LT Scott Burley, LG Jaimie Thomas, C Edwin Williams, RG Jack Griffin and RT Dane Randolph - among the top six linemen, so getting some of the younger guys ready will be critical.
Williams has the most experience among this group with 26 career starts, tops among offensive players. He is among the top centers in the ACC and was also placed on the watch list for the 2008 Rimington Trophy
Randolph has started 17 games at right tackle and stepped in to play some snaps at left tackle last season when Burley was saddled with nagging ankle injuries.
Burley distinguished himself well in his first season as a starter. He managed to start 12 games in 2007 despite being hampered by sprains to both ankles at various points in the season. He ended up earning all-conference honors for his play.
Thomas started just seven games at left guard, missing the second half of the season with a fractured right fibula. He was able to return and play in the Emerald Bowl.
Four of the five starting spots look locked up entering the fall.
There is still a battle going on for the starting nod at right guard, replacing Crummey, who was a three-year starter.
Griffin and junior Phil Costa will both play, but the question is who opens the game. Both played extensively last season and are versatile.
Costa started one game at right guard for an injured Crummey and started the last six contests for Thomas at left guard. Costa has also played center in the past.
Griffin split time at right tackle with Randolph in the early portion of 2007 before taking over at right guard for Crummey after his injury.
In addition to the veterans, sophomores Bruce Campbell and Paul Pinegar played quite a bit last season. Despite being a true freshman, Campbell started one game for Burley at left tackle. Pinegar also saw time at left tackle and left guard last season. He is penciled in as Randolph's backup at right tackle.
Campbell, meanwhile, continued to impress in the spring and is competing for a time at left tackle.
The Terps have a number of linemen who redshirted last season including Stephen St. John, Joe Faiella, Lamar Young, Tyler Bowen and Bearthur Johnson.
All have skills, but those need to be developed.
Young is a big, strong interior lineman. He enters the fall No. 2 at left guard and could find himself in the mix for time.
St. John is a listed as a reserve at left tackle, behind Burley and Campbell, while Faiella is penciled in at right guard.
Johnson is another big-framed player, who is listed as a reserve at right tackle.
Other veterans who are expected to add depth include Lee Oliver, Danny Edwards, Evan Eastburn, Matt Harraka and Kyle Sappington.
There are also some talented incoming freshmen including R.J. Dill, Justin Gilbert and Justin Lewis.
Dill played in the Big 33 game (Ohio-Pennsylvania) this past summer
Tight end should be in good hands with Dan Gronkowski back. He has started 17 career games, including eight last season. Gronkowski has been used mostly as a blocker, but he has good hands and can run well after the catch.
"Dan Gronkowski just had a sensational spring," Friedgen. "We expect him to be much more involved in the passing game this season."
Junior Tommy Galt will be asked to fill a more substantial role this year. He was used as the third tight end in running formations last season.
Redshirt freshman Lansford Watson made a move at tight end in the spring. He will battle with Galt for time as Gronkowski's backup.
Sophomore Drew Gloster served as a backup at H-back last season and will assume the No. 1 spot in the fall.
Others expected to vie for time at tight end/H-back include Devonte Campbell and Matt Furstenberg.
Campbell and Furstenberg are true freshmen who entered school in January. They both participated in spring practice, though Furstenberg was limited with a shoulder injury.
Defensive Line
With the loss of two of the three starters along the defensive line, the Terps have some holes to fill.Dre Moore and Carlos Feliciano combined to start 46 career games in the interior of the line, so the Terps have to replace a pair of talented players.
Moore went on to become a fourth-round choice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last spring's NFL Draft, while Feliciano was invited to some off-season camps.
"We're a little untested up front," Cosh said. "This is a group where someone will have to emerge, especially inside."
Senior defensive end Jeremy Navarre is the most experienced returnee, having started a team-high 35 career games. He is the Terps' active career leader in tackles for loss (18.0) and sacks (9.0).
"Jeremy had a tremendous spring," Friedgen said. "Our line had a tough time blocking him."
Navarre slid inside to tackle in the spring and looks to line up there in the fall. Though he has been at end for most of his career, he moved inside quite a bit last season.
Despite missing the spring rehabbing his off-season knee surgery, senior Mack Frost is expected to start at defensive end.
Frost played quite a bit last season before injuring his knee.
He spent time at defensive end with Navarre bumping inside to tackle, especially on pass-rushing downs. Frost has the ability to get around the edge to rush the passer.
There looks to be a battle brewing at nose tackle.
Junior Travis Ivey, a good-sized run-stuffer, was atop the depth chart at nose tackle in the spring, but senior Olugbemi Otulaja and redshirt freshman Dion Armstrong have pushed their way to the top heading into the fall.
Ivey is a veteran who played mostly in goal-line situations last season, though he spelled Feliciano and Moore at times. Ivey is still expected to see extensive time on the line.
Otulaja is under-sized, but one of the strongest players on the team, while Armstrong has raw, yet-to-be tapped skills.
Senior Dean Muhtadi and junior Deege Galt look to provide some depth on the line.
Muhtadi saw limited time last season, but was effective when he was on the field. He served as Navarre's backup in the spring, while Galt and junior Jared Harrell are penciled in as reserves at defensive end.
Some of the youngsters will also get a chance to see time.
Joining Armstrong are redshirt freshman Ian Davidson and true freshmen Joe Vellano and Carl Russell.
Vellano and Russell signed in 2007, but did not matriculate until the spring semester.
Russell enters the fall as a backup at defensive end, while Vellano, who was injured in the spring, is expected to play tackle.
Senior Trey Covington is manning the LEO position, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker spot, for the fourth-consecutive year. Covington provides a veteran presence and a pass rusher off the edge. He played very well in last year's Emerald Bowl, posting nine tackles, including a career-high two sacks.
"Covington and Navarre could be a force in the pass rush," Friedgen. "Trey is playing his best football. He had a very good spring."
Covington will be backed up by senior Rick Costa and redshirt freshman Derek Drummond.
"Drummond is a big, long guy," Cosh said. "We're hoping he can help us at this spot."
Costa has been plagued by injuries in his career, but has shown an ability to rush the passer, so he'll open fall camp at LEO, though he could easily move back to linebacker.
Defensive line could be a spot where some true freshmen could push for time.
The newcomers arriving in the fall include A.J. Francis and Masengo Kabongo.
Francis is a big, highly-touted local player, while Kabongo was one of the top-rated tackles in the country as a high school senior.
Linebacker
The linebacker unit has a chance to be one of the deepest and most talented groups in the ACC even though it lost one of the most productive linebackers in school history.
Erin Henderson led the team in tackles the last two seasons from his Will linebacker spot. He was a two-time All-ACC choice, semifinalist for the 2007 Butkus Award and 2007 All-American. He followed in the footsteps of his brother, E.J, who was a two-time All-American and winner of the Butkus Award. Both are now members of the Minnesota Vikings.
However, there are five linebackers on the roster with extensive playing experience.
Seniors Dave Philistin and Moise Fokou were two of the top linebackers in the ACC last season when they started all 13 games. In addition, Adrian Moten was one of the top freshman defenders in the league a year ago.
Philistin ranked fourth in the ACC in tackles (9.5 pg) as the Mike linebacker and Fokou was 20th (6.4 pg) from his Sam LB position. Moten, who played all three linebacker positions, tied for the team lead in sacks (5.5) and tallied 50 tackles despite not starting a game.
However, off-season surgery to Philistin, Fokou and Rick Costa kept them out of spring practice. All are expected to be healthy for fall camp. Costa, however, is expected to open the preseason at LEO, though could also still play linebacker.
With that trio out, others had a chance to shine.
After an injury-plagued 2007, senior Chase Bullock opened the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at Will linebacker. Bullock was near the top of the depth chart at Mike LB entering last season, but hurt both his ankles early in the year and played sparingly the rest of the way.
He took advantage of his opportunity in the spring, leading the team in tackles. He opens the fall atop the depth chart at Will, along with Philistin.
Fokou and Moten look to battle it out for the Sam linebacker spot.
Moten opened the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at Sam linebacker with Fokou's injury.
Those two will be backed up by Dominique Herald and Femi Akinwande, both of whom were moved from safety to linebacker in the spring.
"Dominique is a little undersized, but we're trying to get some more speed on the field," Cosh said.
The long awaited debut of sophomore Alex Wujciak may not be far off. He enters the fall No. 1 on the depth chart at Mike linebacker. Last summer Wujciak looked like a player who was going to be an integral part of the defense. But a knee injury near the end of preseason camp derailed his year before it even got started.
The Terps hope Wujciak can be a force in the run game. Despite his size, he has the ability to track down ballcarriers.
"Alex is a guy who can affect tempo and effort," Cosh said. "He likes to play the game and that's infectious."
Redshirt freshman Ben Pooler, who nearly played last season, and senior Alex Schulz are the backups to Wujciak.
Freshman Demetrius Hartsfield and junior Hakeem Sule are the backups to Philistin and Bullock at Will.
Hartsfield was one of six true freshman who enrolled in January. He has the speed to be a factor on the outside or on special teams.
"We think our linebackers will give us some toughness on defense," Cosh said. "We also need to find some leaders on defense and hopefully there are a few guys from this group we can look to."
Secondary
The Terps spent the spring looking at options in the secondary where they have to replace three starters.
Senior cornerback Kevin Barnes, who had a team-high four interceptions and ranked tied for fifth in the ACC in passes defended, is the lone returning starter with the departure of CB Isaiah Gardner, FS J.J. Justice and SS Christian Varner.
Barnes and juniors Anthony Wiseman and Nolan Carroll battled it out in the spring for the starting roles and that should continue into the fall.
"Nolan established himself this spring and Wiseman is battling Barnes for a starting spot," Friedgen said.
All three will see significant time.
Wiseman was the third corner for most of last season, though Carroll saw extended time later in the year at cornerback. Both have good speed and athleticism.
Senior Richard Taylor is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Carroll. Taylor was in the mix for a starting spot last season before injuring his knee in the spring and never getting on the field in the fall. He is healthy for the first time in over a year.
Others who will vie for time at corner include Michael Carter, Trenton Hughes and Brandon Jackson-Mills.
Carter has had a solid off-season and is expected to increase the competition level at cornerback. Hughes and Jackson-Mills are young, athletic players who will add depth at corner and on special teams.
The safety spots will have two new starters.
Senior Jeff Allen is penciled in as the No. 1 strong safety and junior Terrell Skinner appears to be in a battle with sophomore Antwine Perez for the starting free safety slot.
Allen and Skinner saw time in the defensive backfield last season, but most of their action has come on special teams.
Allen is a sure tackler, while Skinner is a big, athletic former wide receiver.
"Skinner got better and better last season," Cosh said.
Perez sat out last season after transferring from USC, but the Terps hope he can find his way into the mix.
"Perez showed he was physical on the scout team last season and demonstrated a willingness to hit," Cosh said.
Senior Drew Robinson and junior Jamari McCollough, both of whom saw time on special teams last season, enter the fall as Allen's backup.
Redshirt freshman Austin Walker, who was impressive on the scout team last season, adds depth at safety.
Special Teams
The specialists return nearly a full complement, although there will still be competition at spots.
The unit has a new field general as Danny Pearman is the new special teams coordinator, taking over for Ray Rychleski, who had guided the group the last seven years.
Pearman will certainly place his stamp on a special teams unit which has been among the best in the ACC since Friedgen's arrival in 2001,
"Danny comes into a good situation, but I like what I saw from that unit in the spring," Friedgen said. "He's a very hard worker and has the right temperament for the position. I think the kids have really taken to him."
Senior Obi Egekeze and sophomore Travis Baltz form one of the top kicking tandems in the ACC, while senior Danny Oquendo is in his third season as the punt returner and Da'Rel Scott is back to return kicks.
Egekeze had a solid junior season, his first as the starting place-kicker. He made nearly 75 percent of his kicks and was almost perfect in ACC play, nailing 13 of his 14 attempts, the best mark in the league.
"Obi had a really solid spring, but just struggled some in the spring game," Friedgen said.
Baltz, a freshman All-America choice, distinguished himself well last season, averaging 40.9 yards per punt which was seventh in the ACC. He also performed better in league play, averaging 43.1 yards per punt, the second-best mark in the ACC.
Baltz held off a charge from Ted Townsley in the spring. The sophomore transfer kicked well in a couple of spring scrimmages, but Baltz was sharp throughout the five weeks of practice.
Oquendo has been a solid and steady contributor as the punt returner. He'll most likely slide back into that spot in the fall, though Anthony Wiseman saw time there last season after Oquendo missed the last four games with a knee injury.
Redshirt freshmen Ronnie Tyler and Torrey Smith are also candidates to see time at punt returns.
Scott, a 2007 freshman All-ACC pick, showed play-making ability returning kicks last season. He nearly broke a couple for scores and had a 60-yarder vs. Florida State. His 566 return yards were the most ever for a Maryland freshman. He is expected to see extensive time at tailback, so whether Scott remains the returner is up in the air.
Wiseman, Trenton Hughes and Richard Taylor are also candidates for the kickoff return job.
The Terps will have to replace holder Matt Goldberg and short-snapper (FGs/PATs) Brendan McDermond, both of whom graduated.
Baltz served as the holder in the spring and looks like he will have the job in the fall.
Senior Andrew Schmitt returns as the team's long-snapper (punts). Schmitt has snapped the last three seasons and Baltz is just the team's third punter in the last nine years.
Schmitt will also handle the snaps for the FG/PAT team.
The Terps have not had a punt blocked since the 1999 season.
Redshirt freshman Tim Downs will serve as Schmitt's backup.
Senior David May, who never played high school football, enters the fall with a shot at kickoff duties. He's also a reserve place-kicker.
Brett Weiss and Nick Wallace will join May in a battle for the backup place-kicker spot in the fall. Weiss is also a member of the Maryland lacrosse team.
