On Fowler: A fifth-year senior who begins his fourth season as the Terrapins' starting center … rated among the top players at his position in the country … takes a streak of 33 consecutive starts -- every game of his career -- into the season … made a remarkable position switch (from the defensive line) as a redshirt freshman in 1998 that ultimately solidified the Maryland offensive line … began fall camp in 1998 competing for time at nose tackle, but was moved to center just 10 days from the 1998 opener in a move that was embraced by Fowler and ultimately by all … a quick, explosive player who attacks the line of scrimmage … a team leader and Iron Terp who is ranked in the top three on the team in every strength discipline (strength index, bench, squat, clean, vertical jump and 40 time).

2000 (Junior): Started all 11 games at center for the third consecutive season … named first team All-ACC by Collegefootballnews.com and honorable mention All-ACC by the Atlantic Coast Sportswriters Association … selected as the recipient of the team's Alvin L. Aubinoe Award as Maryland's “unsung hero” of the 2000 season … helped Terps finish No. 2 in the ACC in fewest sacks allowed.

1999 (Sophomore): An 11-game starter at center for the second consecutive season … helped key an offensive attack that rose 51 spots in final NCAA total offense rankings compared to 1998 … Maryland finished the 1999 season as the ACC's top rushing team, ranking 12th nationally in rushing yards per game with a figure of 231.4 yards per contest … the Terps' offensive line allowed an ACC-low 11 sacks.

1998 (Redshirt Freshman): Started all 11 games at center despite not playing the position since junior high school … shifted to offense from a nose tackle position just 10 days before Maryland's opening game vs. James Madison … one of two freshman starters on the offensive line … stabilized a line that was responsible in part for the Terps' status as the sixth-most improved NCAA I-A rushing offense … helped limit opponent sacks from 56 in 1997 to just 30 in 1998.

1997 (Freshman): Redshirt season.

High School: A 1997 graduate of Half Hollow Hills High School ... earned All-Long Island and all-county honors from the Long Island Sporting News ... named Long Island's top lineman in a vote of area coaches ... was a finalist for the 1996 Bob Zellner Award ... a three-sport standout who also excelled in basketball and lacrosse ... was an active volunteer in SADD and the Special Olympics ... a member of the honor roll.

Personal: Melvin Thaddeus Fowler, Jr. was born March 31, 1979 ... son of Lucinda and Melvin Fowler, Sr. ... majoring in communications.

Fowler Up Close
My goal for the 2001 season is: To make first team All-American
Someday I would like to take a trip to: France
If I lost all of my possessions except for one, I would keep my: Chess set
The word that best describes me is: Relentless
My favorite moment as a Terp was: The first game I started
The best thing about game day is: Winning

Melvin Fowler Class: RS Senior Hometown: Wheatly Heights, N.Y. High School: Half Hollow Hills Height / Weight: 6-3 / 292 Position: Center Birthdate: 03/31/1979 Experience: 3V Honors: All-ACC Candidate