WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Fiume, Terps Sports Photography)

2006 Statistics
Coach: Ralph Friedgen
50-24, 6 years
2006 Record: 9-4
WILLIAM & MARY WON 27-14
MIDDLE TENNESSEE WON 24-10
at West Virginia LOST 24-45
FIU WON 14-10
at Georgia Tech LOST 23-27
at Virginia WON 28-26
NC STATE WON 26-20
FLORIDA STATE WON 27-24
at Clemson WON 13-12
MIAMI FL WON 14-13
at Boston College LOST 16-38
WAKE FOREST LOST 24-38
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Purdue WON 24-7
 

2006 Final Rankings
AP-28, Coaches-32, BCS-UR
2007 Outlook

After a two-year post-season drought, Maryland rose up in ‘06 and made some noise, surprising everyone, including the fans, by attaining nine wins. The momentum and convincing Champs Sports Bowl win over Purdue is just enough momentum to put the ’07 Terps back into the Top 25 hunt. For Maryland to take the next step, the defense has to significantly surpass their recent efforts/results. Head coach Ralph Friedgen is still the acting offensive coordinator (labeled a genius by some after his first three years were 10+-win seasons). But as of late, the offensive production here has been unsteady and mistake prone. Since the arrival of Portis, many have pointed to the future with the promise he brings. For now, however, the job seems to belong to Jordan Steffy. This may be the deepest set of TEs across the county, and the RBs have three capable starters. Depth has become more plentiful, too, on the defensive side. The schedule starts with a few practice games before non-con rival WVU comes rolling into Byrd Stadium. Then, the run defense will quickly find out just how far they have evolved. An arduous road trip to Rutgers is no longer the assured win schedule makers probably thought it would be four years ago when the game was set. The Atlantic Division is basically up for grabs, and given the ACC’s wide range of parity, Maryland has just as much of a chance at getting to Jacksonville for the league’s Championship Game as any. 2007 will boil down to several key issues…one of the talented QBs has to be capable of running the Friedge offensive system while avoiding customary mistakes; the OL has to remain healthy since there are few capable back-ups; and the defensive front seven, one that has failed of late in stopping ground attacks and pressure opposing QBs, has to improve. The range of where this team can wind up is vast – UM will again beat a few foes that seem superior, and if they can keep from losing to any upstarts, who knows. Then again, another 5-3 conference record can win the Atlantic…keep it tuned to your local ‘Terrapin Station’ to find out how this story ends.


Projected 2007 record: 7-5
MARYLAND
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 3.5 DL - 3
RB - 4 LB - 3
WR - 3.5 DB - 3
OL - 3.5 ..
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Jordan Steffy, 0-5-1, 0 yds., 0 TD

Rushing: Lance Ball, 174 att., 815 yds., 8 TD

Receiving: Darrius Heyward-Bey, 45 rec., 694 yds., 5 TD

Scoring: Lance Ball, 8 TD, 48 pts.

Punting: None

Kicking: None

Tackles: Erin Henderson, 114 tot., 54 solo

Sacks: Dre Moore, Jeremy Navarre - 3.5 each

Interceptions: J.J. Justice, 2 for 21 yds.; Erin Henderson, 2 for 49 yds., 1 TD

Kickoff Returns: Danny Oquendo, 8 ret., 14.2 avg., 0 TD

Punt Returns: Danny Oquendo, 26 ret., 8. 4 avg., 0 TD

 
OG Andrew Crummey (PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Fiume, Terps Sports Photography)
MARYLAND
OFFENSE - 7
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Sam Hollenbach-QB, Josh Allen-TB, Drew Weatherly-WR, Stephon Heyer-OT, Dan Ennis-K, Donnie Woods-OG, Tim Cesa-FB, Jared Gaither-OT (NFL)
DEFENSE: Conrad Bolston-DT, David Holloway-SLB, Josh Wilson-CB, Marcus Wimbush-SS, Adam Podlesh-P, Wesley Jefferson-MLB
2007 OFFENSE

The Terps have reason for their guarded optimism in terms of who’s behind center. Jordan Steffy was tabbed the No. 1 QB at the start of spring practice, but the battle is likely to continue into August as Florida-transfer Josh Portis is pushing for the honor after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Portis earned real game reps as a true freshman while filling in for an injured Chris Leak. But the experienced leader in terms of wearing the Red & White is Steffy, and thus far he is proving to be that No. 1 guy. Friedgen has gone so far to say this spring that Steffy is playing 'as good as he has ever played here'. Such (relative) statements have to do with his understanding of this complicated system. Steffy is obviously more comfortable running the show at this point, but nothing is set in stone, yet. The RB spot continues to be stacked as 2005 All-ACC honoree Lance Ball leads the show with his power, and he will again be ‘bowling’ foes over. This is a RB-by-committee going back to last fall. Still in the rotation will be Keon Lattimore, the brother of Ravens LB Ray Lewis. Highly touted prep RB Morgan Green is the complete package and has been singled out this spring by coaches after becoming a monster in the weight room. At the X, Y and Slot receiver positions, three returning starters are back to provide legitimate targets. The top gun is easily young Darrius Heyward-Bey after earning All-ACC honors last season as a frosh. The Terps leading returning receiver is as athletic as they come and is now becoming a vocal leader in just his second campaign. The concern here is most certainly depth since walk-ons are filling back-up roles. No one position on the team is as loaded as the TEs – they constitute a dangerous three-headed monster. Former walk-on Joey Haynos emerged last season as the top guy and followed suit as the team's second leading receiver, stretching the field with his 6-8-body frame. Gronkowski plays the role of a powerful blocking TE, and senior Jason Goode is good enough to see equal field time. If this was not enough, heralded redshirt freshman Drew Gloster (former PrepStar All-American) will now enter the fold. With depth low at receiver, coaches have begun to tinker with Gloster at the slot position. The main concern with this offense is undoubtedly the OL. Gone are four main contributors and injuries have forced a few to play multiple positions in the spring. Huge tackle Jared Gaither was declared academically ineligible and has since made his intentions to enter to supplemental NFL draft. Andrew Crummey put together an All-ACC performance in ’06 and his senior leadership is invaluable towards the building effort. If all return healthy, this OL certainly has the potential to be a little more than just an average unit, and therefore the offense can then attempt to establish a consistent running game to aid the new QB’s genesis. If the OL falters and fails to find some cohesion, the outcome could be devastating.

 

RB Lance Ball (PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Fiume, Terps Sports Photography)

 
MARYLAND 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Jordan Steffy-Jr (6-1, 209) Josh Portis-So (6-3, 201)
FB Cory Jackson-So (6-1, 253) Steven Pfister-So (6-2, 234)
TB Lance Ball-Sr (5-9, 223) Keon Lattimore-Sr (5-11, 223)
Morgan Green-Fr (5-11, 207)
WR Isaiah Williams-Jr (6-3, 197) Nolan Carroll-So (6-1, 202)
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey-So Kevin Gresham-Jr (5-11, 174)
WR Danny Oquendo-Jr Drew Gloster-Fr (6-3, 244) (HB/TE)
TE Joey Haynos-Sr (6-8, 260) Dan Gronkowski-Jr (6-6, 263)
Jason Goode-Sr (6-3, 238)
OT Scott Burley-Sr (6-5, 324) Paul Pinegar-Fr (6-3, 277)
OG Jaimie Thomas-Jr (6-4, 339) Evan Eastburn-Fr (6-1, 310)
C Edwin Williams-Jr (6-2, 326) Phil Costa-So (6-3, 297)
OG Andrew Crummey-Sr (6-5, 301) Lee Oliver-Jr (6-2, 306)
OT Dane Randolph-Jr (6-5, 312) ..
K Obi Egekeze-Jr (6-2, 224) Chris Roberts-Sr (6-1, 198)

 
2007 DEFENSE

The inability to stop opposing offenses from running the ball up the gut has proven to be the main downfall for UM defensively. While the front seven appears to be a steady group on an individual basis, the sum of these parts has been unimpressive. As (a lack of) depth has been attributed to past seasons’ problems, such won't be the case in 2007. Coaches are pleased that the DL goes a solid two-deep. The most gifted is jumbo senior Dre Moore (6-4, 311) – he, too, tested the NFL waters this winter but decided to stay in College Park. The team's co-sack leader is playing his best football ever right now. Putting pressure on QBs has also proven to be a challenge (94th nationally in sacks). While Navarre and Covington on the outside have earned the experience, no one has stepped up and demonstrated the ability to consistently penetrate to be a legitimate TFL/sack threat. The LEO position (hybrid DE/LB) does go four-deep, and back-up DE Mack Frost has shown promise here, but until one lion emerges as an every down guy, this position’s meager results are likely to continue. Locating another LB in the ACC that has better versatility and skills than those of Erin Henderson, brother of former Terrapin Butkus Winner E.J. Henderson, is tough. His 114 tackles and two interceptions are both team bests. The biggest disappointment is the surprising loss of five-star local Wesley Jefferson from the middle. In his place is a battle waged between Chase Bullock, a reserve for three years now, and future star Alex Wujciak, who has displayed some promise this spring. On the strong side is Frostburg State-transfer Moise Fokou, who rose out of nowhere a year ago to provide quality depth. The LBs will have to do a better job at shedding tackles and providing some run support before they can be considered a dominant unit. With a new secondary coach (former-BC DB coach Kevin Lempa) and two starting jobs open, spring has been the key for reloading. The cupboard is far from bare, but they are short on experience. Strong safety J.J. Justice and free safety Christian Varner switched positions this spring. Varner's move had much to do with his nickname 'Bam-Bam', a tribute to him for his love of hard hitting. Justice was an option QB in high school, which earned him Connecticut Player of The Year before signing with the Terps. He is a better athlete in the open field and will now be able to roam free. Varner is the headliner of the group, along with returning starter Isaiah Gardner at corner, who sat out spring due to shoulder surgery. His absence has allowed guys like Kevin Barnes to rise up and play his best football yet. A heated CB battle between Anthony Wiseman and Richard Taylor also continues to give new coach Lempa some bodies from which to choose. Alum Chris Cosh has to bring the talent here together as coordinator for a better showing (than last year’s rank of 84th for total defense) if the Terps are to remain in their division’s top half.

 

LB Erin Henderson (PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Fiume, Terps Sports Photography)

 
MARYLAND 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Jeremy Navarre-Jr (6-3, 262) Mack Frost-Jr (6-5, 252)
DT Dre Moore-Sr (6-4, 311) Omarr Savage-Sr (6-5, 290)
NT Carlos Feliciano-Sr (6-5, 307) Travis Ivey-So (6-5, 315)
LEO Trey Covington-Jr (6-3, 240) Jermaine Lemons-Sr (6-2, 251)
Chris Clinton-Fr (6-2, 259)
SLB Moise Fokou-Jr (6-1, 216) Adrian Moten-Fr (6-2, 221)
MLB Chase Bullock-Jr (6-2, 234) Alex Wujciak-Fr (6-3, 248)
WLB Erin Henderson-Jr (6-3, 236) Dave Philistin-Jr (6-2, 231)
CB Isaiah Gardner-Sr (5-11, 197) Anthony Wiseman-So (5-9, 187)
CB Kevin Barnes-Jr (6-1, 188) Richard Taylor-Jr (5-11, 193)
SS Christian Varner-Sr (5-11, 205) Jeff Allen-Jr (6-1, 192)
FS J.J. Justice-Jr (6-2, 222) Terrell Skinner-So (6-2, 214)
P Travis Baltz-Fr (6-2, 200) Chris Roberts-Jr (6-1, 198)

 

 
2007 SPECIAL TEAMS

The lone kicker on scholarship is big-framed Obi Egekeze (6-2, 224), and though he has struggled with inconsistency and injuries, he has also demonstrated the leg strength needed. Rookie Travis Baltz enrolled early to compete for the starting punting and kicking jobs. Both will be pushed by a group of walk-ons capable of earning time. In line to fill the return slots looks to be speedy Da'Rel Scott. Don't count out superstar WR Darrius Heyward-Bey. Also, Danny Oquendo is back to produce at either role.