The Maryland Terrapins will have a dramatically different look in 2009. Rosters change from year to year in college football, but ninth-year head coach Ralph Friedgen will have to replace his largest senior class.

With 30 seniors having exhausted their eligibility, Friedgen and his coaching staff will have to find replacements for a productive group as 23 of those players started at least one game last year. The senior class also appeared in a bowl game in each of the last three seasons.

But the cupboard is not bare.

Maryland returns 39 letterwinners, including 10 starters (six on offense and four on defense) and a host of talented, young players from a team which went 8-5, including four wins over ranked teams and a victory in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl.

Senior quarterback Chris Turner, entering his third year as a starter, junior running back Da'Rel Scott and sophomore wide receiver Torrey Smith headline the offense.

Scott, a 2008 first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference choice, rushed for 1,133 yards, the seventh-highest single-season total in school history, while Smith set the ACC single-season record for kickoff return yards (1,089) and had 24 catches for 336 yards.

The Terps will need to rebuild an offensive line which lost five of its top seven contributors from last season. Maryland enters its second season under the system of assistant head coach/offensive coordinator James Franklin.

"Offensively, they're continuing to learn the scheme and terminology, but hopefully there will be a carryover from last year," Friedgen said. "There's always a learning curve, but we should be able to take it to the next level this season."

Junior linebacker Alex Wujciak, who will sit out the spring after having off-season knee surgery, headlines the defense which welcomes new coordinator Don Brown.

Brown, who runs an attacking 4-3 defense, came on board after last season. He replaced Chris Cosh, who returned to Kansas State to work under Bill Snyder.

Brown will lean on some veterans.

Wujciak ranked second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in tackles (133) last season. Seniors Anthony Wiseman, Nolan Carroll, Terrell Skinner and Jamari McCollough each played significant roles last season and give Brown leadership in the secondary.

"The defense is a little bit different than the offense this spring," Friedgen said of the new scheme. "We've got to get our basics in. We don't need to have everything in at the end of the spring. Don's done a good job of projecting where he wants to be and what he wants to do. We'll keep assessing that as we move along.

Friedgen is anxious to see the new defense.

"It's a different defense," Friedgen said. "We're going to press people more. It's a little different concept than what we've been doing, but I'm excited about it."

One goal for the spring and beyond is to build leadership on a team which has just 14 seniors. In addition, among the 85 scholarship players (including the incoming class), 61 of them have at least three years of eligibility remaining.

"We have some outstanding young men in the program," Friedgen said. "But we need to identify our leaders and put them in leadership roles. Any team is only as good as its leadership. We need to develop that."

Despite the youth, Friedgen is excited about his prospects for this team. "I think we have a good group of kids," Friedgen. "I like our work ethic. They're excited about playing football, excited about the opportunities that exist. It's up to us to keep it fun and exciting. We have a long way to go, but the talent is there."

Notes

• James Franklin was named the eventual successor to head coach Ralph Friedgen in February. Franklin, 37, has spent the better part of this decade on the Maryland staff. He served as the wide receivers coach from 2000 to 2004, which spanned Friedgen's first four seasons. During that time, Franklin established himself as one of the nation's top recruiters. Rivals.com ranked Franklin as one of the nation's top 25 recruiters for two of those first four years and tapped him again this past season.

• Don Brown (defensive coordinator/cornerbacks) and Charles Bankins (special teams/tight ends) are the newest members of the coaching staff. Brown, who replaced three-year coordinator Chris Cosh, came on board in January. He served as head coach of UMass-Amherst the last five years which included a trip to the 2006 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title game. During his tenure, UMass maintained one of the top defensive units in the nation. The Minutemen finished among the top 20 in total defense in three of his five seasons (third in 2005; 20th in 2006; 14th in 2007). Bankins, who was hired in February and replaced Danny Pearman, has experience coaching offense and special teams at the collegiate and professional levels, most recently serving as an assistant at the University of Richmond, which captured the 2008 FCS title.

• Maryland was among the best in the nation last season playing ranked opponents. The Terps went 4-1 vs. ranked foes (AP poll) with wins vs. No. 23 Cal, No. 20 Clemson, No. 21 Wake Forest and No. 17 UNC. The Terps were one of only five teams in the nation (also Florida, Oklahoma, USC and Texas) to beat at least four Top 25 teams. The other four all finished in the top five of the final polls.

• The Terps will face eight teams (Cal, Rutgers, Clemson, Wake Forest, NC State, Virginia Tech, Florida State and Boston College) in 2009 which played in bowl games last season and another (James Madison) which reached the FCS playoffs.

• The Terps' 10 returning starters (six offense/four defense) are the second-fewest in the Friedgen era. Heading into the 2004 season, Maryland had nine starters (five offense/four defense) back from the previous campaign.

• The Terps welcome five scholarship newcomers to the roster this spring. Joining the team are DL De'Onte Arnett, DL Zachariah Kerr, DL Cody Blue, LB Darin Drakeford and LB Avery Murray. Arnett, Drakeford and Murray were members of the 2009 recruiting class who enrolled in January. Blue and Kerr signed last season, but attended prep school last fall.

• Chris Turner is on track to become the first three-year starting quarterback since Brian Cummings (1995-97).

Offense

Quarterback

Entering the Spring of 2007, Chris Turner was barely in the mix when discussing the potential starting quarterback.

Fast forward two years and Turner has a firm grasp on the starting job.

The senior, who has started the last two seasons despite not opening the year as the top signal-caller, has a chance to end his career as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history.

Turner will enter 2009 ranked seventh on the Maryland career passing yards list (4,474), fourth on the career completion percentage chart (59.7) and 11th in passing efficiency (125.76).

"I think you're going to really see Chris grow as a quarterback this year," Friedgen said. "He's improved the last two years, but he can get better." Turner completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 2,516 yards last season, the fifth-highest single-season total in school history. He also threw 13 touchdown passes to go with 11 interceptions.

The Simi Valley, Calif., native has generally been at his best against the top competition. He led the Terps to a 4-1 mark against Top 25 teams last season and has been on the winning side six of the seven times he has been on the field against a ranked opponent (AP poll).

All those numbers are impressive, but Friedgen knows there is some room for improvement.

"I'd like to see him get better in the running game (by getting us in the right play) and improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio," Friedgen said. "Then I'd like to see the normal maturation of a quarterback as far as being able to look off the defense and being able to read coverages and go to the right receiver."

Turner should have plenty of opportunity to hone his skills in the spring, as he and Jamarr Robinson are the lone quarterbacks on the roster.

"Jamarr's going to get a chance this spring," Friedgen said. "He's mobile and has a strong arm. He has the makings of a good quarterback. He has to know the offense better and be able to read coverages better."

Robinson, who has not seen action at quarterback with the varsity during his career, will try to solidify the No. 2 job and prepare to hit the field in the fall. "He'll have a chance to push Chris and get 50 percent of the reps this spring," Franklin said. "We should be able to get a good evaluation of him."

The sophomore did have a chance to play in both junior varsity games last season, so he was able to gain some valuable game experience.

Running Back

With their top three tailbacks and fullbacks returning from last season, the Terrapins have plenty of depth in the offensive backfield.

At this time last season, the Terps were looking to replace two of the top running backs in school history in Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball. But after the emergence of Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggett last season, as well as the solid play of Morgan Green down the stretch, has Maryland boasting one of the most talented backfields in the ACC.

"It's definitely one of our deepest positions," Friedgen said.

Scott is coming off one of the most best seasons in recent memory. He earned first team All-ACC honors after rushing for 1,133 rushing yards, the eighth-highest single-season total in school history. He also scored eight touchdowns and earned MVP honors of the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl by rushing for 174 yards.

Meggett was a pleasant surprise last season. As a true freshman, he secured the No. 2 tailback role in the preseason when Green was hampered with an injury. The product of Clinton, Md., went on to rush for 457 yards, the most by a true freshman since Lamont Jordan posted 689 in 1997.

"Davin is a high character kid and is a good complement to Da'Rel," Franklin said. Green, one of the strongest players on the team, came on at the end of last season, rushing for a career-high 72 yards in the bowl game. He has struggled with injuries the last two seasons, but has the talent of a No. 1 back.

Even with the depth, the staff would like to see the backs improve with and without the ball.

"There are definitely areas we can get better, especially in the passing game and being able to break more tackles," Friedgen said.

Gary Douglas, who shined on the scout team last year, will be added to the tailback mix this spring.

"We've got a legitimate four-deep at tailback which creates good competition," Franklin said. "That's what we want. Gary showed some ability in the bowl practices"

The veteran of the backfield is senior Cory Jackson, who has been the starting fullback since the end of his true freshman season. He's one of the toughest players on the team and has been a team leader the last three years.

Jackson will sit out the spring while rehabbing from off-season knee surgery, so junior Haroon Brown and sophomore Taylor Watson will see increased time.

"Haroon and Taylor will have an opportunity to get reps this spring and take the load off Cory," Friedgen said.

Brown has played in 17 games in his career, while Watson saw action in five last season.

Speedy junior Dan Bonato, freshman Andrew Braxton and sophomore Paul Lariviere (out for the spring) give the Terps depth in the backfield.

Wide Receiver

Despite the loss of the Darrius Heyward-Bey, one of the top wide receivers in school history and a potential first-round NFL Draft choice, as well as Danny Oquendo and Isaiah Williams, Maryland has a chance to have one of the most potent wide-receiving corps in the ACC with a group that has size, speed and athleticism.

Sophomore Torrey Smith is the lone returning starter, but Ronnie Tyler, Emani Lee Odai and Adrian Cannon were significant contributors last season.

But, there are a number of talented youngsters, including Quintin McCree, Tony Logan, Kevin Dorsey and Kerry Boykins, who are expected to make the position competitive this spring.

In addition, veteran LaQuan Williams, who sat out most of last season with a foot injury (and will miss the spring), gives the Terps a veteran presence. He had a breakout 2007 campaign, but played just three games last season.

The future looks bright with no seniors and just three juniors among the team's top nine wide receivers.

Smith burst onto the scene last season when he took over as the starter at X receiver for the final six games.

He spent all season as the kick returner, setting the ACC single season record for yards (1,089) and posted 16 of his 24 catches over the last six games.

He also averaged a school-record 21.3 yards each time he touched the ball last season.

Smith's 14.0 yards per catch ranked second in the ACC among freshmen with at least 20 receptions.

The Terps are hoping for even bigger things from Smith this season as he emerges as one of the team leaders.

"Torrey is one of the most well-respected players on the team," Franklin said. "He always has a smile on his face and he works hard every day." Lee-Odai, a junior, opens the spring opposite Smith, first on the depth chart at Z receiver.

One of the fastest players on the team, Lee-Odai has played in 21 games over the last two seasons and will be counted on for increased production in the fall. Tyler is expected to step in for Oquendo at the F (or slot) receiver position. Tyler ranked sixth on the team in receptions (20) last season, making a number of acrobatic catches, especially on third down.

Boykins, a redshirt freshman, was impressive on the scout team last fall.

"We have tremendous expectations for Ronnie and Kerry," Franklin said. "They both have good speed and toughness. We have two quality players at that spot."

Cannon and Dorsey open the spring behind Smith.

Cannon played in all 13 games last season and helped the Terps in the bowl win over Nevada, hauling in a 59-yard TD pass from Chris Turner. Dorsey sat out last season after having foot surgery, but has looked healthy heading into the spring.

"Adrian gives us some experience at the wide-receiver position," Friedgen said. "Dorsey did well in winter workouts and we're hoping he stays healthy because he has a chance to be a very good player for us."

Webb Dulin and Eric Powell will provide depth at the wide-receiver position this spring.

Offensive Line/Tight End

After losing five of its top seven performers up front from a year ago, the Maryland offensive staff will have a busy spring.

Gone are three-year starting center Edwin Williams, two-year starting left guard Jaimie Thomas and two-year starting tackle Scott Burley. Jack Griffin and Dane Randolph also completed their eligibility.

In all, those five players combined to start 115 games and help the team reach three bowl games in the last four years.

Bruce Campbell and Phil Costa are the lone returning starters. Campbell started the last six games at left tackle last season, while Costa has played at left and right guard in his career. Costa, who started 12 games at right guard in 2008, will take over as the starting center this year.

Junior Paul Pinegar is the only other lineman to see any significant time in his career. Pinegar has played in 12 games at tackle over the last two years. He enters the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at right tackle, but will have to battle for that spot.

"Bruce and Phil are veteran guys who are both battle tested," Franklin said. "After them we're a little less experienced, but we have just as much talent as last year. Those guys just haven't been on the field yet.".

Sophomore Lamar Young and redshirt freshman Justin Lewis will open the spring atop the depth chart at left and right guard, respectively.

Young saw brief action in three games last season and Lewis nearly saw time, but retained his redshirt.

Sophomore Andrew Gonnella is just behind Young on the depth chart.

"Lamar runs real well and Andrew is a hard-nosed, tough guy," Franklin said.

Sophomores Joe Faiella and Maurice Hampton are also reserves at guard, though neither has been on the field.

Junior Danny Edwards will back up Costa at center. Edwards is in his fourth year in the program and played in two games as a reserve last season.

There should be a battle for time at tackle.

Redshirt freshmen R.J. Dill and Justin Gilbert are listed behind Campbell at left tackle.

"R.J. is a tall, physical presence and Justin tested well in the spring," Franklin said.

Pinegar will battle with sophomores Tyler Bowen and Stephen St. John at right tackle.

Bowen has battled foot injuries the last two seasons, but hopes to see time in the spring. He's shown promise during practice.

Other veterans who are expected the push for time on the O-line include Bearthur Johnson, Kyle Sappington, Matt Harraka and John Dillon.

The tight-end position will see a transition with three-year starter Dan Gronkowski departed. He capped off his Terrapin career by earning honorable mention All-ACC honors last season. He had a career-high 29 receptions, which ranked third on the team.

Senior Tommy Galt enters the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at tight end, though Lansford Watson will certainly see significant time.

Galt and Watson each played in 13 games in 2008, with the latter posting 10 receptions for 115 yards.

"Tommy came on at the end of last season," Franklin said. "He tested well in the spring and may have the best hands on the team."

A pair of redshirt freshmen - Matt Furstenburg and Devonte Campbell - will battle for time at the F tight-end position, which is similar to the H-back role.

Furstenburg played in two games on special teams last season before being sidelined with an ankle injury.

Campbell was impressive in his redshirt season, showing good pass-catching ability. "Matt and Devonte are athletic guys who can run routes and be adequate blockers." Friedgen said.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Schlothauer will add depth at tight end.

Defense

Defensive Line

With the departure of Jeremy Navarre, Mack Frost Olugbemi Otulaja, Dean Muhtadi and Trey Covington, the Terrapins lost a ton of production on the defensive line. Navarre and Covington combined to start 91 games over the last four years, while Otulaja and Muhtadi were mainstays on the line last year.

"Despite the loss of some guys, I think we have a chance to be bigger and stronger than last year," Friedgen said.

After an injury-plagued 2008, senior Travis Ivey seems to be emerging as the leader of this group.

"Travis had a good winter," Friedgen said. "He's really taking on a leadership role. He's starting to mature into the player we thought he could be."

Ivey injured his foot in the preseason last year. He missed the first three games last year, but it took him a while to get on track. He capped off the year with a career-high five tackles in the win over Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl

Ivey opens the spring atop the depth chart at defensive tackle.

Sophomore Dion Armstrong, who started three games last season, will be alongside Ivey at nose tackle.

A.J. Francis, who nearly played as a true freshman last season, give the Terps another big body on the interior of the line.

Ian Davidson, Joe Vellano and Zachariah Kerr will also push for time.

Davidson has not played but is in his third year in the program, while Vellano redshirted as a true freshman last year with a shoulder injury.

Kerr just joined the team this semester. He was a highly-touted recruit who attended Fork Union Military Academy last fall. He has a low center of gravity and should be helpful in stopping the running game.

Defensive end features a mixture of veterans and youngsters.

One side features sophomore Derek Drummond and freshmen Masengo Kabongo and De'Onte Arnett.

Drummond, who enters the spring No. 1 on the depth chart, played the old LEO position (defensive end/outside linebacker) last season. Kabongo and Arnett were both highly recruited players. Kabongo sat out last season as a redshirt.

The other defensive end position, or anchor in Brown's scheme, will be manned by senior Jared Harrell.

He'll be backed up by senior Deege Galt. Freshmen Carl Russell and Cody Blue could also see time there.

Harrell played in all 13 games, including two starts, at LEO last season. He chipped in five tackles for loss.

"We should have some good battles along the defensive line and competition breeds success," Brown said. "Lots of guys are going to get looks."

Sophomores Chris Rhodes and Obum Akinyili are in their third year in the program and will push the first- and second-team players for time.

Linebacker

With the loss of Dave Philistin, Moise Fokou, Chase Bullock and Rick Costa, the Terps will have to replace plenty of experience at linebacker.

That group combined to play in 144 games, including 54 starts. The Terps will start the spring with just one linebacker - Adrian Moten - who has played in a game at that position.

With Alex Wujciak and Ben Pooler missing the spring while rehabbing from knee injuries, the LB two-deep currently features three freshmen, junior Drew Gloster, who has moved from tight end, and special-teams performer Hakeem Sule.

"We're young at linebacker, but we have ability," Friedgen said. "The young guys are going to have a chance to get stronger and get ready for the fall. They should have plenty of reps this spring."

Moten, a junior, has played in 23 career games and has been very productive. His 74 career tackles are third among players on the current roster, while his 7.0 sacks lead the team.

Moten can play all three linebacker positions, but is penciled in as the starter at Sam.

Gloster, who was not eligible last season, made the move to linebacker in December during bowl practice.

He's athletic, and at close to 250 pounds, has the size to man the middle.

Hartsfield moves into the starting spot at Will linebacker. He enrolled early last season and nearly played as a true freshman, but the staff was able to hold his redshirt.

Drakeford and Murray both entered school this semester and will be thrown into the mix right away.

"Murray tested well in the spring, benching 360 pounds, which is pretty good for a freshman," Friedgen said.

Drakeford will back up Moten, and Murray will see time behind Gloster.

Sule will serve as Hartsfield's backup.

Wujciak, a second team All-ACC performer last season and the second-leading tackler in the league, is expected to at full strength for fall camp.

Pooler is also expected back in full health. He hurt his knee in the only game he appeared in last season.

Other linebackers who will fill roles include juniors Stephen Hargett and Louis Berman, and sophomore Herbert Law.

Secondary

The Terps will have to replace half the starters in the secondary from a year ago, but they do have five other players who saw plenty of action last season.

Senior Terrell Skinner, a hard-hitting free safety who should be in the discussion for all-league honors at the end of the season, headlines the secondary. He is the second-leading returning tackler (63) on the team behind Wujciak.

Senior cornerback Anthony Wiseman is the other returning starter. He led the team and ranked fourth in the ACC in pass breakups (0.77 pg).

At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Nolan Carroll gives the Terps a physical presence at cornerback. He struggled with ankle woes last season, missing three games.

"We've got more experience back there than what we've had in the past," Friedgen said.

Cameron Chism, Michael Carter, Trenton Hughes and Brandon Jackson-Mills will all be fighting for time at cornerback.

Chism saw time there, as well as on special teams, as a true freshman last season.

Carter and Hughes, both entering their third season with the team, saw a limited number of snaps at cornerback.

"Cornerback is a priority," Brown said. "We're looking for guys who can do that."

The Terps look to be extremely deep at safety.

Junior Antwine Perez, a transfer from USC, played quite a bit last season, seeing action at safety, outside linebacker and on special teams. He is a punishing tackler and will enter the spring behind Skinner at free safety.

Senior Jamari McCollough was the Terps' all-purpose defensive back last season. He has played each of the safety positions and cornerback.

McCollough had a team-best four picks last season and will look to take over for the departed Jeff Allen at strong safety.

Sophomore Kenny Tate is behind McCollough to open the spring.

Tate, one of the top wide-receiver recruits from the 2008 class, will remain at safety. He moved there during the 2008 preseason and played in all 13 games last season.

"We gave him the option to move," Friedgen said. "We talked about it and Kenny felt like staying at safety was his best option right now."

Sophomore Austin Walker, who was a special teams contributor last season, is also a backup at free safety.

Veteran Richard Taylor hopes to give the Terps a boost at cornerback in the fall. Taylor, a sixth-year player, received clearance on a medical redshirt earlier in the spring.

Taylor has played in 23 career games as a reserve cornerback and special-teams performer. He'll sit out the spring while recovering from off-season knee surgery.

Junior Dominique Herald, a special-teams player and reserve safety the last two seasons, will also sit out the spring while recovering from a knee injury.

Youngsters Anthony Green , Eugene Skinner and Mike Salvatico give the Terps some needed depth at cornerback and safety.

Special Teams

New special teams coordinator Charles Bankins will need to replace three of his prime performers from a year ago, but he does return an all-league punter and an ACC record-holding kickoff return specialist.

Maryland has maintained a strong punting game in Friedgen's tenure. Junior Travis Baltz, a two-year starter, earned first team All-ACC honors after averaging a league-best 41.1 yards per punt. It marked the seventh time in the last eight seasons the Terps had an all-conference punter.

Ted Townsley is a very capable backup to Baltz. He has not competed in a regular-season game, but has a strong leg and has performed well in scrimmages over the last two years.

Torrey Smith was not only a standout at wideout, but he also made history on special teams. Smith averaged 25.9 yards per return last season en route to breaking the ACC single-season kickoff return yards record (1,089).

The Terps will have to replace three-year starting punt returner Danny Oquendo, place-kicker Obi Egekeze and long-snapper Andrew Schmitt.

Sophomore Tony Logan will get an opportunity as the punt returner. He replaced Oquendo in the Humanitarian Bowl and played well. Kenny Tate served as the backup to

Oquendo last season and is No. 2 on the depth chart entering the spring.

The place-kicking job is fairly wide open with the departure of Egekeze, who kicked 32 career field goals (tied for seventh in school history) and scored 164 points (10th in school history).

Sophomore Nick Wallace, senior David May and sophomore Mike Barbour will all have a chance to make their cases this spring.

Wallace is the only one of the three to kick in a college game. He connected on 11 of 13 field goals two years ago at Indiana (Pa.).

May has served as a reserve place-kicker and kickoff specialist the last three years. Maryland has not had a punt blocked in the last 111 games (the longest active streak in the nation).

Schmitt has a lot to do with that record. He was the long-snapper for the last 50 games.

Sophomore Tim Downs, Schmitt's backup last season, enters the spring atop the depth chart at long-snapper.