University of Maryland Athletics

March 7, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the third in a six-part series previewing the Maryland football team as it heads into spring practice for 2006. Today's segment takes a look at the Terp tight ends and wide receivers. Check back every Tuesday and Thursday before the start of camp on April 1st for the most recent preview.

Tight End
The Terps' top offensive player of a year ago - and maybe the last two years - has departed for the NFL. But what Vernon Davis has left at Maryland is an opportunity to look at what "could be" for a player with athleticism and talent.

What remains for the Terrapins this year are younger versions of what departed. There might not be another Vernon Davis in Maryland football history, but players like Jason Goode and incoming freshman Drew Gloster fit that mold. Goode will enter spring listed second on the depth chart behind Dan Gronkowski, but if his blocking can come along as Davis' did, he will be the type of receiver that can factor into Maryland's offense every down.

Gronkowski heads the list of "big" (or blocking) tight ends and will get a challenge for that role from Joey Haynos. The Terps' other recently-departed tight end, Derek Miller, gives them a model of consistency to follow in terms of blocking, but the hope is that they can exceed that model in the passing game. Both have good size (6-6 or taller) and Gronkowski, a former quarterback, has done well in his transition.

"Hopefully Jason can improve on his blocking and that will help us do what we would like to be able to do," said Friedgen. "Gronkowski and Haynos will work as our big tight ends and serve much the same role as a Jeff Dugan or Derek Miller, but we are also looking for them to continue to improve in the pass-catching department."

Tommy Galt is another young player who will get a look this spring. He is a hard-working player who could challenge in the big tight end role in time.

Wide Receiver
If there is one spot that could legitimately be listed as a question mark this spring, it is wide receiver. That statement has nothing to do with the numbers and talent at the position; it simply has to do with a lack of experience as Maryland lost its top three receivers last year to graduation.

Drew Weatherly is the unit's only senior and the team's top returning wide receiver with 10 receptions a year ago. Weatherly gives the Terps a big target and a possession receiver, meaning most everything about him is in direct contrast with the majority of what remains (young, extremely speedy and unproven).

Though unproven, what does remain is pure talent and a lot of it. Isaiah Williams, Terrell Skinner, Derrius Heyward-Bey and Nolan Carroll all bring some ideal characteristics to the outside (X and Z) spots. Williams and Heyward-Bey are both tall and have sprinter's speed. Skinner and Carroll are both speedy as well, but also have what Friedgen calls a defensive back's mentality. They are tough and will help the team excel whether the ball is in their hands or not. It was quite a foursome to have landed in one recruiting class.

The fifth player from the class who will be a factor is Danny Oquendo, another tough kid who also has sprinter's speed (had the fourth-best time in the 60m high hurdles as a prep in 2005). Oquendo posted a team-high 10 special teams tackles in his true freshman season and will replace Jo Jo Walker as Maryland's starting slot receiver. He caught three balls last year and will likely have gained confidence from the 11 games he played in his first season.

Two veterans who will get a look this season are senior Greg Powell and sophomore Matt Goldberg. Both players are crafty and have the comfort level in the system that the youngsters likely do not. Both have also made plays in past spring games and scrimmages and could work their way into playing time this year. Powell was a solid performer on special teams last year and, like Oquendo, will get a look in the slot. Joining him there will be Stephen Smalls, a player whose focus as an incoming freshman will be simply learning the system.

"We are young, but I think we have a lot of talent," said Friedgen. "We have as much speed as we have had since I have been here, and it got better at the end of the season with Nolan Carroll getting over his injury. I think we have some tough guys, too, with Carroll, Skinner and Oquendo."

Spring Outlook Schedule