Terps Football Looks to Build Momentum This Spring After Nine-Win Campaign
March 28, 2007
Maryland came within a whisker of its first appearance in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game last season and that should give the Terrapins fuel for 2007.
However, any talk of championships must begin during the off-season and the grueling early morning workouts and long sessions in the weight room. The players and coaches started preparations for 2007 shortly after their dominating 24-7 victory over Purdue in the Champs Sports Bowl in December.
That victory gave the Terps a school-record three straight bowl wins and enabled them to finish the season 9-4, marking the 13th time in 114 years of football the Terps won at least nine games. Remarkably, four of those occurrences have come during Ralph Friedgen's six years as head coach.
"We had a good season," head coach Ralph Friedgen said of last year. "We had a chance to make it a real special season, but came up just a little short. Hopefully, that will help motivate the guys this spring.
"Last spring we talked about winning the ACC title and I don't think our players really believed it. But we ended up having an opportunity to do that. That's where we need to look to keep setting our goals high."
The Terps will look to their 41 returning letterwinners, including 13 offensive and defensive starters, to guide the squad, with the goal, once again, of winning a league title. Seven starters are back on offense, including running back Lance Ball, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, tight end Joey Haynos and three linemen, to help facilitate that goal. In fact, backs who accounted for 94 percent of the rushing yards have returned, as well as pass-catchers who accounted for 97 percent of the receiving yards.
The problem is the Terps have to replace the triggerman, as two-year starting quarterback Sam Hollenbach departed, as did All-ACC left tackle Stephon Heyer. Heyer was the leader on the offensive line which opened holes for the Ball and running mate Keon Lattimore and allowed Hollenbach to toss for over 2,300 yards en route to All-ACC honors.
Junior Jordan Steffy enters the spring as the starter after two seasons as a backup. He has seen limited action in his career, but has been in Friedgen's offensive system for three years. This will mark the fifth time in the last seven years the Terps will break in a new starting quarterback.
"Jordan looks fine physically and has done a good job in off-season workouts," Friedgen said. "He will give us some more mobility in the pocket, something we hope to be able to utilize this season."
An offensive line that surrendered the second-fewest sacks in the ACC last season will have to be re-tooled.
Senior guard Andrew Crummey, an All-ACC performer, junior center Edwin Williams and junior tackle Jared Gaither are the returning starters.
"We need to stay healthy up front or we're going to have some problems," Friedgen said.
The defense, meanwhile, returns six starters, though that unit lost three of its top four tacklers. However, there were a number of part-time players from a year ago who should step into starting roles this season.
"We have more depth on defense than we've had in the past and a lot more than we have on offense," Friedgen said.
Junior Erin Henderson, the team's leading tackler and an All-ACC performer last season, headlines not only the linebacking corps, but the whole defense.
Conrad Bolston has departed from the defensive line, but pass rusher Jeremy Navarre and run-stopper Dre Moore return. Carlos Feliciano, who started seven games last season, will step into Bolston's tackle spot where the Terps hope to have an improved rushing defense.
"We want to improve our tackling and the ability to shed blockers," second-year defensive coordinator Chris Cosh said about one of his goals for this spring.
With the departure of Wesley Jefferson and David Holloway, the linebacking corps will have to be a focus. Younger, more inexperienced players will likely man those spots, while Trey Covington is back as the starter at LEO, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position.
There will be two personnel and position changes in the secondary where All-American cornerback Josh Wilson and strong safety Marcus Wimbush have departed. Senior Isaiah Gardner returns at cornerback and Christian Varner will move from free safety to strong safety.
Chief among the concerns of the coaching staff is the lack of a punter or place-kicker. All-ACC performers Adam Podlesh and Dan Ennis have completed their eligibility and will have to be replaced. No one on the roster has punted or place-kicked during a collegiate game.
Offense
Quarterback
The Terps have some big shoes to fill at quarterback where two-year starter Sam Hollenbach ended a solid career last season. Hollenbach was the unquestioned leader of the offense, directing the Terps to nine victories, including a flawless performance in the Champs Sports Bowl victory. He became one of just four quarterbacks in school history to toss for over 5,000 career yards.But Friedgen, who is also in his second year as offensive coordinator, has plenty of capable replacements where six quarterbacks will vie for time under center this spring.
Jordan Steffy, the backup last season, enters the spring as the starter. He is the only signal-caller on the roster to take snaps under center at Maryland. Steffy has played sparingly in his career, but has the necessary skills to be productive in Friedgen's system.
"Jordan has matured tremendously since he came here as far as watching tape and going through the playbook," Friedgen said. "I see a whole different person right now."
Steffy played in just one game last season, but saw action in six contests in 2004 as a true freshman. That experience gives him a leg up heading into the spring.
"It was disappointing that he wasn't able to play more last year because every game was so close," Friedgen said. "But I did see he really improved in practice and he did some good things, whether he can transfer that to the field is what we have to find out this spring. Just from an experience standpoint of running our offense, he's ahead of the other quarterbacks."
Sophomores Josh Portis and Chris Turner, as well as redshirt freshman Jeremy Ricker, will be battling for time behind Steffy.
Portis sat out last season after transferring from the University of Florida, but was a highly sought-after recruit two years ago. He possesses a strong arm with the ability to move around the pocket. He played sparingly at UF as a true freshman in 2005.
"Josh has tremendous tools but what people just don't understand is that it takes a while to learn how to play quarterback, especially in our system, or any system," Friedgen said.
Portis didn't see many reps last season, as he spent most of the fall as a scout-team quarterback.
Turner, a dropback passer, enters the spring No. 2 on the depth chart buoyed by the fact that he has spent two years in the system. He was one of the top quarterbacks in the country coming out of high school in 2004.
Ricker is another highly-recruited signal-caller. The Hummelstown, Pa., native was the ninth-ranked quarterback in the country by Scouts, Inc. as a high school senior.
Also in the mix for time under center are junior Bobby Sheahin and freshman Jamarr Robinson.
Sheahin transferred from West Virginia two years ago and Robinson is a true freshman who signed with the Terps last spring, but enrolled in school this semester. Sheahin is a pocket-passer, while Robinson is a threat with his arm and legs.
Running Back
This is among the deepest and most talented positions on the roster, as the Terps possess one of the most dynamic backfield combinations in the country.Seniors Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore have only scratched the surface of their potential. This duo combined for over 1,500 yards on the ground last season and will be looking for more in 2007 when each should vie for All-ACC honors.
Ball racked up a team-high 815 rushing yards in 2006, but Lattimore was not far behind with 743. Ball ranked seventh in the ACC in rushing (62.7 yards per game) last year and posted eight touchdowns on the ground. He started 11 of the 13 games, but had just 14 more carries than his counterpart.
Both can also catch the ball out of the backfield, though Lattimore was used more in that role, totaling 20 receptions to rank fifth on the team.
"We know what Lance and Keon can do," Friedgen said. "We'll give them enough reps this spring to keep them sharp, but we need to find out about the other guys."
Redshirt freshmen Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green are sitting behind Ball and Lattimore at tailback.
This younger, talented duo comes into the season with a solid prep pedigree. Green was ranked among the top 20 tailbacks in the nation coming out of high school by Rivals.com, while Scott was listed among top 25 athletes in the country by the same organization.
"We need to find out about both of these guys in the spring," Friedgen.
Another redshirt freshman, David Akatu will add depth behind Green and Scott.
Sophomore fullback Cory Jackson took full advantage of his opportunity last season and enters the spring as the lead blocker for Ball and Lattimore. Jackson saw extensive action in the second half of last season, subbing for an injured Tim Cesa, who will not return to the team this season.
Jackson proved to be a capable blocker as the Terps had two of their highest rushing totals (194 vs. Wake Forest and 206 vs. Purdue) in the final two games of the season. He also showed good hands, catching four passes as the outlet receiver.
Depth is a concern at this position as Jackson was the only fullback on the roster at the end of last season. Sophomore Steve Pfister moved from linebacker over the winter and enters the spring No. 2 on the depth chart.
"Steve gives great effort," Friedgen said. "He's been behind a number of guys at linebacker. He's someone we think can help us at fullback."
Wide Receiver
After a somewhat inconsistent 2006 season, the receiving corps, led by returning starters Darrius Heyward-Bey and Isaiah Williams, has a chance to be one of the top units on the team as both returning starters are back with more experience and game-breaking ability.Heyward-Bey, one of the most explosive players on the team, is coming off a freshman All-America season, while Williams showed flashes last year, ending the year with 29 catches for 379 yards, including a 65-yard effort in the regular-season finale vs. Wake Forest.
Heyward-Bey had one of the top seasons in ACC history as his 694 receiving yards were third all-time on the freshman single-season list.
Junior Danny Oquendo also returns to man the slot receiver position as all but one wideout who caught a pass last season is back (Drew Weatherly had one reception). He was the second-leading receiver on the team in 2006 with 396 yards and the primary punt returner.
There were certainly a number of highlights from the receiving corps in 2006, including Heyward-Bey's record-setting performance vs. Miami (two touchdowns, including a school-record 96-yard TD catch). He also hauled in three more scores and finished fifth in the conference in receiving (53.4 yards per game).
"We're pretty solid at the top, but need to find a fourth receiver," Friedgen said.
There are a number of candidates, including Nolan Carroll, Emani Lee-Odai, Stephen Smalls, Adrian Cannon and Kevin Gresham.
Lee-Odai is penciled in at the X position this spring, backing up Carroll, who enters as the starter with Williams sitting out the spring to rehab after off-season shoulder surgery. Lee-Odai is a tall and rangy local product who has put on about 20 pounds since arriving on campus from Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.
A pair of veterans will back up Heyward-Bey this spring as Gresham and Matt Goldberg, both juniors, will have an opportunity for playing time. Neither has seen game action.
Smalls is the backup at the slot receiver. He enrolled early last year, but used 2006 as a redshirt season. Cannon is another big target. He sat out last season and enters the spring as a backup at the X position.
The spring will be a period of trial and error for many of the wideouts as the coaching staff looks to work a talented unit into the proper positions.
"We're going to move some guys around (in the spring) to see if we can get our best receivers on the field (in the fall)," Friedgen said.
Offensive Line/Tight End
The good news is the Terps return five offensive linemen who have started games in their careers, including four regulars from last season. The bad news is no one has seen any significant action behind those five players.Center Edwin Williams, right guard Andrew Crummey and tackle Jared Gaither are the returning starters on the line, though Gaither will sit out this spring. They will be joined by Jaimie Thomas and Dane Randolph, each of whom started multiple times last season.
Crummey was an All-ACC choice last season at right guard, while Williams started every game at center on an offensive line which had two running backs each gain over 700 rushing yards and allowed just 19 sacks, the second-lowest total in the ACC.
Thomas started the final three games of the season at left guard as a replacement for Donnie Woods, who will not return to the team this season. After starting the first 10 games of 2006 at left guard, Woods decided to forego his final season of eligibility to pursue a career in the Army. Thomas enters the spring as the starter at left guard.
The Terps also have to replace left tackle Stephon Heyer. Heyer was an honorable mention All-ACC choice in 2006.
Randolph split time with Gaither at right tackle toward the end of last season so he comes into the spring with plenty of experience. Randolph will open the spring as the starter at right tackle.
"We feel good about the first team," Friedgen said. "Our offensive line at one point was a real strength and now we've lost some guys. We've got some young guys who are not even scholarship guys who are figuring in at second team."
Senior Scott Burley and Jack Griffin, who have five letters between them but saw limited action in 2006, will move into more prominent roles this season. Burley opens the spring No. 1 at left tackle, while Griffin is the backup at right tackle.
Redshirt freshman Evan Eastburn is listed as the backup to Thomas at left guard, while junior Lee Oliver is No. 2 at right guard. Neither has seen game action.
Sophomore Phil Costa probably has the most experience among the reserves. He played in just two games last season, but spent the spring of 2005 as the starting center with Williams out of action.
Other reserves who may figure into more prominent roles include redshirt freshmen Paul Pinegar, Danny Edwards and Matthew Harraka, as well as junior Kyle Sappington.
The Terps employ a two tight end set quite often and return starter Joey Haynos, as well as a host of backups. Junior Dan Gronkowski can't quite be considered a backup as he started nine games in 2006. Haynos, though, received the bulk of the reps and was the Terps' second-leading receiver with 37 catches for 369 yards. He went on to earn honorable mention All-ACC honors.
Senior Jason Goode also saw time last season and will be joined by redshirt freshman Drew Gloster and sophomore Tommy Galt as backups.
Defense
Defensive Line
Maryland lost one of its three starters along the defensive line, but does return a part-time starter.Junior Jeremy Navarre started 12 games at defensive end and tied for the team lead with 3 1/2 sacks. He'll be joined by tackle Dre Moore who started 10 games at defensive tackle.
Moore collected 47 tackles, including a team-high tying 3 1/2 sacks, and did a good job clogging up the middle.
"We should have some good competition at defensive line this spring," Cosh said. "We only lost one starter. Jeremy had a solid year, as did Dre and we need those guys to keep getting better. We do have a number of other guys who can help us."
Junior Carlos Feliciano will step into the defensive tackle role which was occupied by Conrad Bolston last season. Feliciano actually started seven games along the line and saw significant action all season.
Backups at the nose tackle and defensive tackle include sophomore Travis Ivey and senior Omarr Savage, who played in four games as a reserve last year. Junior transfer Olegbemi Otulaja and Dean Muhtadi will add depth in the middle.
Junior Mack Frost and sophomore Jared Harrell are the backups at defensive end with Frost having the most experience with 19 career games under his belt.
Linebacker
The linebacking corps likely has the most question marks among the defensive units. That's not to say there isn't talent, just a lack of playing experience.Junior Erin Henderson returns to headline this unit. Henderson is coming off a season in which he recovered from a serious knee injury quite nicely. He posted a team-high 8.8 tackles per game, which ranked second in the ACC and 31st nationally.
Henderson, who missed all of 2005, claimed second-team All-ACC honors in 2006 and should be among the most feared defensive players in the league this fall.
But the other two linebacking spots are open.
"Middle linebacker is the biggest question mark as we head into the spring," Cosh said.
Junior Chase Bullock and redshirt freshman Alex Wujciak will look to replace Wesley Jefferson who graduated in January and gave up his final season of eligibility to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Bullock, who enters the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at Mike, played sparingly last season, seeing action in six games as Jefferson took most of the reps inside en route to posting 110 tackles.
Junior Moise Fokou enters the spring No. 2 on the depth chart at Will, behind Henderson. Fokou played in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker last season.
"Fokou has the ability to play all three of the linebacker positions," Cosh said.
Redshirt freshman Chris Clinton will also get a look at the Will linebacker, while veteran Dave Philistin is listed No. 1 on the depth chart at Sam. He'll be backed up by a pair of redshirt freshmen in Adrian Moten and Stephen Hargett.
Trey Covington is back to man the LEO, a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position. Covington made 11 starts a year ago, tallying 41 tackles.
Redshirt freshman Brian Whitmore and sophomore Jeff Clement are the backups at LEO. Senior Jermaine Lemons, who will miss the spring due to his knee injury last season, should provide depth at LEO in the fall.
Secondary
One of the Terps top defenders over the last two seasons is no longer in the secondary. Cornerback Josh Wilson was not only a productive football player, but a leader in the locker room and off the field after earning honorable mention All-America honors and the James Tatum Award as the top football-playing student-athlete in the ACC in 2006.However, his counterpart - senior Isaiah Gardner - returns and should assume more of a leadership role in the secondary this season. Gardner started all 13 games at cornerback last season, finishing fifth on the team in tackles with 63. He is expected to assume his starting role again, though he will miss spring practice after off-season shoulder surgery.
The injury, however, could be a blessing as it will give the defensive staff a chance to evaluate what looks to be a deep and athletic group of defensive backs.
Juniors Kevin Barnes and Richard Taylor each enter the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at cornerback. Both Barnes and Taylor played in all 13 games last season, seeing time on special teams and in the secondary.
While Barnes and Taylor are atop the depth chart at cornerback, the jobs are far from secure as Anthony Wiseman, Brandon Jackson-Mills, Colin Nelson and Pha'Terrell Washington are among a host of players in the mix for time at cornerback.
"There's a lot of guys that have a chance to help us at cornerback," Friedgen said.
The Terps also need a replacement for steady strong safety Marcus Wimbush, who led the secondary in tackles last season with 68.
Senior Chrisian Varner will move from his free safety spot to take Wimbush's place, while junior J.J. Justice assumes Varner's role.
Justice played in all 13 games last season and started one game at strong safety. Sophomore Terrell Skinner is the backup free safety after seeing action in eight games last season.
Junior Jeff Allen should give the safety unit even more depth. He played in every game last season and looks poised to vie for extensive time this season.
"Jeff had a very good winter and we're looking for good things from him this year," Friedgen said.
Sophomore Jamari McCollough is still recovering from a knee injury, but should be at full speed in the fall. He will in the mix for time at one of the safety spots as well. The lone coaching staff adjustment for the Terps in the off-season affected the secondary as Kevin Lempa was hired to oversee this group. Tim Banks left to become the defensive coordinator at Central Michigan.
Special Teams
Special teams is one of the biggest question marks for the Terps this spring, and likely heading into the fall.
Adam Podlesh was an All-ACC punter and two-time semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award. His consistency may have been his best attribute, as he became the first player in school history to earn all-league honors four times, including second-team last season.
While Podlesh is likely taking his game to the NFL, Dan Ennis was quietly one of the top place-kickers in the conference the last two seasons. He connected on 20 of 25 field goals last year, including the game winner in a pulsating 13-12 road victory over No. 19 Clemson. Ennis tied for ninth nationally in field goals per game (1.54).
Junior Chris Roberts and true freshman Travis Baltz, who entered school early this semester, will battle it out for the punting job.
"Travis is a good looking kid with long legs which should give him some leverage punting," Friedgen said. "We're anxious to see how he does, even though we had him in camp and watched him on tape."
After serving as one of the kickoff specialists the last two seasons, junior Obi Egekeze is likely to handle the place-kicking chores. He has never attempted a kick in a game.
"It's important for Obi to come through this spring," Friedgen said. "He's been around, been in games and he has all the tools. Hopefully he can give us the consistency Dan gave us."
Junior Danny Oquendo is back as the No. 1 punt returner. He ranked eighth in the ACC in returns last season, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt.
With the departure of Josh Wilson, who ranked 11th in the nation with 27.3 yard average, the Terps are in search of a No. 1 kickoff return specialist.
Redshirt freshman Da'Rel Scott enters the spring No. 1 on the depth chart, but a number of individuals will get a shot, including Emen Ifon, Terrell Skinner and Anthony Wiseman.
No one in that group has returned kickoffs, though Oquendo and Nolan Carroll each have limited experience in that capacity.
