2012 Statistics

ASST. COACHES

Off. Coordinator/QB Coach: Mike Locksley (2nd season)
Previous: New Mexico Head Coach

Def. Coordinator/DB Coach: Brian Stewart (2nd season)
Previous: Houston Def. Coor. / DB Coach

Running Backs/Special Teams: Andre Powell (3rd season)
Previous: Clemson RB / Special Teams Coach

Receivers: Lee Hull (6th season)
Previous: Oregon State WR Coach

Tight Ends: John Dunn (3rd season)
Previous: Louisiana State Off. Grad. Asst.

Offensive Line: Tom Brattan (13th season)
Previous: Stanford OL Coach

Defensive Line: Greg Gattuso (3rd season)
Previous: Pittsburgh DL Coach

Inside Linebackers : Keith Dudzinski (3rd season)
Previous: UMass-Amherst Def. Coor. / LB Coach

Outside Linebackers : Lyndon Johnson (3rd season)
Previous: Connecticut OLB / Special Teams Coach

    QUARTERBACK  

• Due to an uncanny rash of injuries, the Terps were working on their fifth quarterback before the 2012 season ended...a converted linebacker named Shawn Petty.
• The good news is that all these quarterbacks are back in the mix headed by C.J. Brown who missed all of last year with a torn ACL. Even better, the redshirt senior will have two years of eligibility remaining after the NCAA granted him the extra sixth year already. In 2011 Brown was an electrifying runner starting in five games but he also completed less then 50% of his passes.
• It will be interesting to see what type of effect Brown's surgically-repaired knee has on his ability to use his legs, especially in an offense that likes to utilize the athleticism of its quarterback. He was a little timid in the spring, something that needs evaluated closely in August camp.
• The backup spot is still wide open between three different guys. Perry Hills was the first called when Brown went down but suffered his own ACL tear after seven games. Hills was erratic as expected from a first time starter. Caleb Rowe stepped in and looked the part in two games before he also tore his ACL. Getting thrown in the 2013 fray will be junior transfer Ricardo Young, who was the 2010 Washington DC Gatorade Player of The Year.

• Offensively speaking, no Terp rushed for over 400 yards last fall in this committee approach. Brandon Ross led all rushers with 390 yards.
• Just this winter the running backs were considered the deepest unit on the team and there was plenty of room for optimism. Since then prized four-star recruit Wes Brown has been suspended for the entire 2013 season for off-the-field transgressions and Justus Pickett transferred to Tennessee. After losing two of the top three rushers this unit is now on the thin side when it comes to experience.
• Budding prospect Brandon Ross was the first in line to be the starter even before the personnel loses added up. Ross is looking to pick up where he left off with a strong finish to his 2012 rookie campaign. He's a solid package of speed and strength.
• Another four-star local gem from Friendship Collegiate in DC, Albert Reid, earned a letter in his first year starting a couple of early games but faded to post only 103 yards on 36 carries. Reid was considered a long shot to be an every-down back but now may get that chance. Should Ross get nicked up at any point the hard working, blue collar Reid will be forced into this role. Outside of these two the rest are freshmen who have yet to play a down.
• At fullback is Tyler Cierski, a real bruiser and 255-pound lead blocker working on his third straight season as the starter here. The Georgia native was one of the nation's highly regarded fullbacks out of high school. He won't touch the ball but is extremely strong and nasty at the point of contact.

• This unit boasts an extremely athletic group of receivers that are just as exciting as any in recent memory. Stefon Diggs and Deon Long are game breakers and the backups are more than capable if given the proper opportunity.
• As a true freshman last year Stefon Diggs proved to be all that he was advertised coming out of high school as the nation's top receiver recruit. Despite having to deal with a nightmare quarterback scenario he wound up catching a team-high 54 passes for 848 yards. He also rushed for 114 yards and returned two kicks for six points. Diggs is fast and elusive. With some more consistency from the guys throwing the passes Diggs could be the best in the ACC at any position.
• Transfer Deon Long, a highly sought-after recruit that has gone from West Virginia to New Mexico to Iowa Western CC, has finally landed as a Terrapin. In 2011 he earned Second Team All-Mountain West honors at New Mexico catching 47 passes for 809 yards.
• Projected starter Marcus Leak left the team leaving Nigel King as the third starter in this three-wide set. At 6'3, 210 pounds he has the frame for creating physical mismatches. He needs to sharpen his fundamentals and hands before being considered a feared option in this passing attack.

• Senior Dave Stinebaugh has won the job to replace Matt Furstenburg. While mostly being a contributor on special teams and as a blocker, it will be of the utmost importance for the veteran to take advantages of his opportunities as a receiver. Behind him are a long list of unused freshmen who have yet to see the field.
• Losing Furstenburg will sting as Terp fans were used to seeing his name called. This team needs a reliable target for intermediate routes and there doesn't appear to be any one capable of maintaining this role.

• Depth has to be a huge concern with only 13 scholarship players on this unit. However, six linemen who started games in 2012 are back. The down side of said statement is that this group has been feeble...an all too familiar theme in College Park. The news didn't get any better when the prize of the 2013 recruiting class, OT Derwin Gray, didn't qualify academically.
• Left tackle Mike Madaras is the best of the holdovers. The local Good Counsel product played in all 12 games as a rookie last fall earning fulltime starting duties by the fifth game. Madaras is on his way to becoming an anchor with this front wall.
• At right tackle is the veteran Nick Klemm who desperately needs to overcome his pass protection shortcomings, a reason he got bumped to the right side to make way for Madaras. Upwards of three different players will vie for time at tackle.
• Center is the deepest spot on this line as Conaboy and Mulrooney have both seen their share of starts. Former can't-miss defensive lineman recruit De'Onte Arnett is the team's most reliable guard. Coaches are also hoping to receive immediate dividends from guard Silvano Altamirano, a transfer from San Diego Mesa College.
• The chemistry still hasn't proven to be effective. The offensive numbers last year were appalling because of it. This line lacks top-tier talent and depth and cannot continue to be bullied and harassed on a weekly basis.

    DEFENSIVE LINE  

• Defensive end is the biggest rebuilding project. Gone are all-stars Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis. The only linemen on the current roster to record a sack last season were Darius Kilgo and Keith Bowers for a low total of 2.5 sacks combined.
• Quinton Jefferson had a monster off-season. It is vitally crucial that Jefferson continue his rise. The rookie played sparingly last fall but appears to be a different player this time around...stronger, leaner and more explosive at getting into the backfield.
• The foundation is in the middle with Darius Kilgo. For a 300-pounder he gets off the ball rather quickly with great penetrations. Coaches have been outspoken about his talents, predicting he will be the best lineman on the squad with a prosperous future.
• Size doesn't seem to be an issue for this three-man schematic. There is some beef up front which should equate to another solid run stopping defense. Getting pressure on the passer may be another story.

    LINEBACKER  

• Much like the defensive line the Terps will be dealing with some huge losses in the personnel department at linebacker (Tate, Hartsfield, Drakeford).
• This has the potential to be a solid group against the likes of Boston College and Wake Forest, but they are not quite at the level to compete with Florida State and Clemson types.
• The pressure is on Cole Farrand to be the physical and emotional leader. He managed a team leading 78 stops last year from his spot on the inside. Now at a beefed-up 6'3, 245 pounds Farrand's intelligence at tracking down ball carriers gives him a chance to be one of the ACC's better linebackers while recording over 100 tackles.
• L.A. Goree will man the other inside spot. He has started 10 games over the last two seasons. The physically gifted 240 pound Bowie Bruiser is coming off a solid spring.
• Starting strong safety Matt Robinson has been moved to Kenny Tate's old spot on the outside. He is built for this job. The only problem is that Robinson is rarely healthy and is dealing with multiple shoulder issues...a bad condition for a tackling linebacker.
• If Robinson can't go, Alex Twine is no stranger to stepping into a starting role. He started the first five games last year while Kenny Tate was out with injury.
• Coaches have also been impressed by the play of junior Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil, a transfer from Seton Hill University. The 6-3, 240-pounder is strong, tough and one of the hardest working players on defense.

    DEFENSIVE BACK  

• Last year's positive results should be amplified by the return of an array of key contributors. This group is not in rebuilding mode.
• Despite a few too many breakdowns in 2012 these starting cornerbacks have the potential to be All-ACC performers.
• Dexter McDougle is the best player on this side of the ball. The teams most active coverman also logged 71 tackles last year. McDougle has a knack for locating the football, a product of superior athleticism and ball skills. His senior year could be really special.
• At the other corner is returning fulltime starter Jeremiah Johnson who possesses great speed and solid cover skills. Like the receivers on the other side, the corners are the strength of this defense.
• Anthony Dixon has secured one of the safety sports after being a major rookie contributor in 2012. The other safety spot isn't so secure where a battle between Sean Davis and former blue-chip recruit A.J. Hendy will take place all the way through August camp. Davis is more explosive while Hendy possesses the better fundamentals. Both will likely see the field.
• On paper this secondary looks fine but it hasn't been able to produce the big plays and interceptions to put Maryland over the top. They also have shown a vulnerability to getting burned by some of the better passers on the schedule.

• No wonder the kicking/punting game struggled in 2012. With two freshmen handling these duties the results were dismal.
• Throw out the video from 2012 and forget the past for kicker Brad Craddock. While trying to step in for injured Nick Ferrara last season the freshman had some really huge miscues wide right and wide left. Many of them at the most inopportune time helping to spell defeat instead of victory for his team. The Australian native has a strong leg but also has a knack for hooking way too many of his kicks.
• Extra points were never a gimme situation either. The expectation may have been a bit much for the wide-eyed frosh Craddock, his first time in the United States playing organized football. But coaches have faith that Craddock possesses the skills to be another definitive kicker in College Park. He worked with legendary Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover during the off-season. Craddock is going to get better.
• Nathan Renfro will continue to handle punting duties. The Tennessee native averaged just 39.7 yards per punt last fall and needs to find more consistency.
• A freshman also handled the return duties last fall but that was completely a whole other story. Freshman Stefon Diggs is the most dynamic return man in the league and could wind up one of the best in the country before his time is done. The elusive speedster with the quick "B Button" burst has everything the fans and coaches hoped he would coming out of nearby Good Counsel HS as one of the nation's top recruits.