One year after injuries decimated the position, Maryland is in line for hugely improved quarterback play.(Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
Desperate times call for desperate measures, which might explain how it came to pass that Maryland, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and eight-time January bowl participant, ended up starting a true freshman linebacker at quarterback for the final four games of the 2012 season.
Things can only get better ? at quarterback, for starters, and at Maryland in general. Isn?t it obvious? No team in college football will land more improved quarterback play, if only by default. The pessimism and disproval heaped onto the program following coach Randy Edsall?s arrival in 2011 has abated; so has this roster?s steep learning curve, with a more seasoned team fully aware of what to expect from Edsall and his staff.
Recruiting has picked up, though perhaps not to the fan base?s expectations ? though outside of Alabama, no program actually recruits to its base?s standard. The result: Maryland, for the first time in three or four years, actually heads into the fall with purpose, confidence and a sense of direction ? and without negativity.
NO. 125 TO NO. 1: College football countdown
LAST YEAR?S PREDICTION
Now this feels like a rebuilding year. New schemes on both sides of the ball. A new starting quarterback. A rebuilt offensive line. This is what a rebuilding year is supposed to feel like. If calling this coming season a rebuilding year does ignore last season?s painful experience, then all the better: Maryland needs to put 2011 out of mind, if possible, and look ahead to starting with a fresh slate in September. Just don?t stay too long thinking about the bad news; instead, focus on the fact that Maryland will absolutely be much improved after Edsall?s dreadful debut. How good can this team be? I don?t think a bowl trip ? by the skin of Maryland?s teeth ? is out of the question, though I think a safer bet is four or five wins, especially when given the difficult schedule and the changing schemes. If the Terps can get to five wins, playing better as the year wears on, I think you can call this season a success.
2012 RECAP
? In a nutshell: Maryland would have reached a bowl game had it not been crippled by injuries, and at quarterback in particular. How many quarterbacks took meaningful snaps for the Terps in 2012? I?m running out of fingers. The injury-caused revolving door under center was laughable ? in hindsight, at least ? especially after Edsall was forced to turn the reins to true freshman linebacker Shawn Petty, who started all four of Maryland?s games in November. As expected, the Terps went from 4-2 to 4-8, losing by single digits to N.C. State, Boston College and North Carolina. That the Terps remained a nuisance despite the losses ? and, you know, the linebacker-quarterback ? is a testament to Edsall and his staff.
? High point: October wins over Wake Forest and Virginia lifted Maryland to a 2-0 start in ACC play. Through six games, Maryland had won four games ? including an ugly one against William Mary ? and lost only twice, to Connecticut by a field goal and West Virginia by 10 points.
? Low point: The six-game losing stretch to end the season. As noted, the Terps hung tight against the odds in three of those games; the remaining trio, to Georgia Tech, Florida State and Clemson, got a little out of hand. Then again, Clemson and FSU were starting a current first-round and a future first-round pick at quarterback. Maryland was starting a true freshman linebacker.
? Tidbit: With all this talk of true freshman linebacker this and true freshman linebacker that, a quick note: Shawn Petty, the aforementioned true freshman linebacker, threw for six touchdowns in his four November starts. That total tied Petty with FSU?s EJ Manuel and Virginia?s Michael Rocco for sixth-most in the ACC. Petty, a true freshman linebacker, threw for more touchdowns in November than Virginia Tech?s Logan Thomas (four), Wake Forest?s Tanner Price (three) and Boston College?s Chase Rettig (two). Put another way, Petty had one fewer touchdown pass in November than Iowa?s James Vandenberg compiled in 389 attempts in 2012.
? Tidbit (quarterback edition): The Terps lost four quarterbacks to season-ending injuries: C.J. Brown (torn ACL) in August, Perry Hills (torn ACL) on Oct. 20, Devin Burns (Lisfranc) on Oct. 20 and Caleb Rowe (torn ACL) on Oct. 27. Maryland was one of seven schools to start at least three quarterbacks in 2012, joining Colorado State, Kentucky, Minnesota, Southern Mississippi, Tulane and Utah. An inquiry conducted by Maryland among other FBS sports information departments found ?no results of any school having a similar injury situation at quarterback this season or in the past.?
FORMER PLAYERS IN THE NFL
? 30: RB Lance Ball (Denver), OT Bruce Campbell (Carolina), FB Devonte Campbell (Atlanta), CB Nolan Carroll (Miami), LS Jon Condo (Oakland), C Phil Costa (Dallas), TE Vernon Davis (San Francisco), WR Kevin Dorsey (Green Bay), LB Darin Drakeford (Kansas City), LB Moise Fokou (Tennessee), DT A.J. Francis (Miami), TE Matt Furstenburg (Baltimore), TE Dan Gronkowski (Cleveland), LB Erin Henderson (Minnesota), WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Indianapolis), QB Shaun Hill (Detroit), LB D?Qwell Jackson (Cleveland), RB Davin Meggett (Indianapolis), LB Adrian Moten (Cleveland), K Nick Novak (San Diego), P Adam Podlesh (Chicago), RB Da?Rel Scott (New York Giants), WR Torrey Smith (Baltimore), DT Randy Starks (Miami), DT Joe Vellano (New England), OG Edwin Williams (Chicago), WR Isaiah Williams (Oakland), WR LaQuan Williams (Baltimore), CB Josh Wilson (Washington), OT Will Yeatman (Miami).
ARBITRARY TOP FIVE LIST
? Freshman linebackers in the FBS, 2012
1. Denzel Nkemdiche, Mississippi
2. Cory James, Colorado State
3. Kyler Fackrell, Utah State
4. Eddie Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
5. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
COACHING
? Randy Edsall (Syracuse ?80), 6-18 after two seasons. No, it hasn?t been a great start. But there have been signs of progress, especially when comparing Maryland?s 2012 season to Edsall?s debut, a disaster of a 10-loss finish that ? believe it or not ? might have been even worse than final record indicated. Last fall, the Terps mounted a bowl run despite a slew of injuries on both sides of the ball. Entering November, before the injuries took their final toll, Maryland housed one of the nation?s most underappreciated defenses.
Edsall went 74-70 in 12 years at Connecticut, leading the Huskies to the 2011 Fiesta Bowl following the program?s first Big East title. Time in Storrs flew by for Edsall, who oversaw Connecticut?s transition from the FCS in 2000 and led the program through independent status (2000-3) into the Big East (beginning in 2004). His first two teams on the FBS level, from 2000-1, were the main contributors to his mediocre record; those teams went a combined 5-17. However, the 2002 team ? the first UConn team to field a full roster of 85 scholarship players ? finished 6-6, the program?s best mark since winning 10 games under current Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz in 1998. The strong finish carried over to Edsall?s last Huskies teams: UConn finished 9-3 in 2003, its final season as an independent, and won at least eight games five times as a member of the Big East.
Randy Edsall heads into his third season as Maryland?s coach.(Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
Edsall?s FBS coaching experience includes stints at Syracuse (1980-90), Boston College (1991-93) and Georgia Tech (1998). With the Orange, Edsall coached the running backs (1983-4, 1986), the tight ends (1985) and the defensive backs (1987-90); this experience made him a logical choice to replace Greg Robinson in late 2008, but Edsall removed his name from consideration. It was only logical that Edsall?s name would continue to be bandied about for mid-level BCS conference openings along the East Coast, especially after the Huskies? successful 2010 season. Edsall found an attractive partner in Maryland, a program with more potential than Connecticut ? but one with a far tougher hill to climb in order to land a BCS berth.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
? Offense: Rest assured that the Terps will have hugely improved quarterback play in 2013. This is an absolute certainty: Maryland might remain in a worst-case-scenario mindset ? a byproduct of last year?s mess ? but it?s clear that this program has three or four reliable quarterbacks in the conversation for meaningful snaps. How many other programs can say the same? In a perfect world, Maryland will land a full, healthy season from senior C.J. Brown, the projected starter heading into last season prior to an ACL tear during fall camp. If back at full strength ? and indications are that he?s getting close ? Brown will give Maryland an athletic dual-threat quarterback with enough running ability to change the complexion of the entire offense.
But he needs to improve as a passer. Here?s a thought: Brown might have been sidelined last season, but spending a year away from the game, digesting film and dissecting defenses on the side, was the best thing to happen to his career. Do you buy that? Brown?s last game action came late in 2011, when he replaced former starter Danny O?Brien and threw for 842 yards and seven scores, adding another 574 yards on the ground, so he does need to shake off some rust. If there are some complications ? injury related or otherwise ? Maryland can always turn to sophomores Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe, another pair of last season?s walking wounded, or even former New Mexico transfer Ricardo Young, who has a great familiarity with offensive coordinator Mike Locksley?s system. After such a dreadful year, Maryland?s quarterback situation is in good shape.
Brown will have the luxury of throwing to one of the best players in college football: Stefon Diggs (54 receptions for 848 yards), a sophomore, was a five-star talent who lived up to every inch of his advance billing ? whether as a receiver, a runner or a returner. What can Diggs do for Maryland? What can?t he do? That he produced at such a high clip despite a number of hurdles, such as his own inexperience and Maryland?s quarterback woes, speaks volumes about his potential over the next two seasons. To me, the most impressive part of his rookie campaign was the consistency: Diggs delivered on a weekly basis, by and large, and clearly progressed as he gained more comfort in the system. Thankfully, he?ll have more help in 2013. The biggest addition from February?s signing class was JUCO transfer Deon Long, another five-star prospect who has quickly grabbed a starting role on the outside. Although the Terps lost Marcus Leak (23 for 393), adding Long to holdovers like Diggs, Nigel King, Levern Jacobs, Tyrek Cheeseboro and others will lead to an uptick in production from the passing game. To me, the lone issue is a dearth of proven targets at tight end.
Line play will improve, if only due to increased experience, but the front remains the Terps? largest weakness on the offensive side of the ball. One issue? Starters like sophomore left tackle Mike Madaras and sophomore right guard Andrew Zeller are a season away from reaching their potential, even if Madaras started the final eight games of 2012. But here?s some good news: Maryland returns six players with some past starting experience, so depth is clearly improved. One new addition, JUCO transfer Silvano Altamirano, adds size to the interior; while currently running second at left guard, I wouldn?t be surprised if he eventually pushes Zeller on the right side. Elsewhere, senior De?Onte Arnett will move from right to left guard; Nick Klemm is the odds-on favorite to start at right tackle; and junior Sal Conaboy and sophomore Evan Mulrooney will continue their tussle at center, with Conaboy the leader heading into fall camp.
? Defense: There are some losses on defense, especially along the defensive front, but that bit of negativity is tempered by one extremely positive fact: Maryland is about to enter its second season under defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, the former Houston assistant, and if last season is any indication, this defense has a bright future. Yes, the Terps had a bit of a meltdown late, when the schedule turned to opponents like Clemson, FSU and UNC. By and large, however, the Terps played shockingly well in their first year in Stewart?s 3-4 base set. Here?s my take: Maryland needs to address some personnel issues, but it?s clear to me, based off last season, that this defense is in a good place.
The biggest losses are up front, as noted. The Terps must replace a pair of all-conference standouts in ends Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis; worse yet, a potential starter, would-be senior Justin Anderson, left the program in the spring. The good news? I?ll give you two things to consider: one, junior nose tackle Darius Kilgo (40 tackles, 5.0 for loss) adapted very well to the 3-4, holding down the fort in the middle; and two, there are some nice younger pieces with prototypical 3-4 size to play on the outside. Projected starters and top reserves like sophomore Quinton Jefferson, juniors Keith Bowers and Andre Monroe and a handful of redshirt freshmen ? Ty Tucker, Roman Braglio ? will grow and develop over the course of this season; my concern is the potential dip in production, especially given how Vellano and Francis supplied more-than-expected returns in the pass rush. I?d agree that depth seems a big stronger, but the changes at end are concerning.
Maryland?s linebacker corps loses a trio of seniors, two full-time starters, and will overhaul the outside while remaining largely intact along the interior. Again, the transition to new faces on the outside raises a red flag when it comes to the Terps? pass rush: Vellano, Francis, Demetrius Hartsfield, Darin Drakeford and Kenneth Tate accounted for 23.5 of Maryland?s 28.0 sacks. Who steps up on the outside? Converted lineman Marcus Whitfield, a senior, seems to have a starting job on one side. On the other, former safety Matt Robinson and Alex Twine, both juniors, have enough experience to fare well in increased roles ? especially Robinson, who has disruptive ability when healthy. At least there are no changes inside, where juniors L.A. Goree (46 tackles) and Cole Farrand (78 tackles, 6.0 for loss) return in starting roles.
All things considered, Maryland?s secondary is deeper and more experienced than at this point a season ago. However ? and not to keep harping on this point ? the lack of a proven pass rush could have a hugely negative impact on the Terps? pass defense. What if Stewart can cobble together effective pressure? If that does occur, I think Maryland?s level of returning talent will lead to a substantially improved performance against the pass. Four players with starting experience return from last season: senior Dexter McDougle (71 tackles) and junior Jeremiah Johnson (43 tackles, 5.0 for loss) at cornerback and junior A.J. Hendy and sophomores Anthony Nixon (41 tackles) and Sean Davis. Hendy supplies depth at both safety spots; Isaac Goins, sophomore Alvin Hill and true freshman Will Likely ? the defensive gem of February?s class ? do the same at cornerback. Likely is the future at the position.
? Special teams: One year after starting freshmen at kicker and punter, look for Maryland to get more bang for its buck from returning contributors like Brad Craddock, Brendan Magistro and Nathan Renfro. Any group with Diggs in the return game is going to be excellent, of course; the projected improvement from last year?s freshmen specialists will make the Terps? special teams even better. This should be one of the team?s biggest strengths. Want to take Diggs out of the equation? Sure: Just kick it out of bounds.
POSITION(S) TO WATCH
? Running back: Hey, the Terps have options. Next, the staff needs to decide the best way to use sophomores Brandon Ross (390 yards), Wes Brown (382 yards) and Albert Reid, three holdovers who currently share top billing on the team?s early two-deep. Can all three work together? Absolutely. What Maryland needs to do during fall camp is pencil in set roles for the trio ? not to mention decide on a leader, because this offense still needs to roll through an every-down back. In this case, the eventual lead back should be the one with the widest skill set; this includes an ability to churn out yards between the tackles, of course, but also steady hands as a receiver and the willingness to get low and protect the quarterback. Based on how he produced when in the lineup ? and how he closed last season, with two 100-yard games in November ? I?d project Ross as the Terps? main back, followed very closely by Brown. Reid could very well squirm his way into a larger role, though it may be as the Terps? short-yardage or third-down back. Unfortunately, the one thing lacking from this group is proven production as receivers. While Diggs, Long and others will do nearly all of the heavy lifting, the Terps lack of reliability at tight end should mean a larger role for running backs in the short-to-intermediate passing game ? so it?s on one or two of this group to ramp up their production as pass-catchers.
GAME(S) TO WATCH
? Virginia: The Terrapins need to hold serve at home to reach six wins. Good news: Maryland might get Clemson at home ? a sure loss ? but it also hosts FIU, Old Dominion, West Virginia, Virginia, Syracuse and Boston College. In all, it?s not out of the realm of possibility that Maryland goes 5-2 at home, losing to Clemson and one of WVU, Virginia and Syracuse. What would a 5-2 home mark mean to the Terps? Well, that this is a bowl team, for one. If we?re going to nitpick, facing Wake Forest and N.C. State on the road might force Maryland down to fourth place in the Atlantic Division, due to head-to-head tiebreakers.
SEASON BREAKDOWN PREDICTION
? In a nutshell: This is the year things start coming together for Maryland and Edsall, two years after a horrific debut and one season after an injury-plagued four-win finish. Are the Terps ready to win eight games? Not yet, in my opinion. But in total, even with some concerns, this team seems prepared to reach bowl eligibility and battle Wake Forest and N.C. State for third place in the Atlantic Division ? though all three trail Clemson and FSU by a distinct margin. In a sense, even given the slow start, everything is on schedule for Edsall and his staff.
The reasons for improvement are simple. Maryland has to remain healthy, for one, as another round of injuries would be devastating ? even if depth is much better than at any point over the last two seasons. Quarterback play will be dramatically improved. The running game has three options, though one needs to step forward and inhabit a take-charge role. Any receiver corps headlined by Diggs has wonderful potential; if Long lives up to his billing, this group might have one of the ACC?s best one-two pairings. The offensive line is deeper, if somewhat worrisome at left tackle and along the interior.
The defense is my biggest concern, and that?s a good thing: Maryland played so well in its first season under Stewart that I can?t imagine any huge decline ? say, from the top 25 in the FBS into the bottom third ? despite holes along the defensive line and at outside linebacker. If Maryland can form a competent pass rush this defense should again rank among the top six in the ACC. To me, the combination of an improved offense and a credible defense, albeit one with some issues, paints Maryland as a definite bowl team in 2013.
? Dream season: Maryland wins nine games, five during ACC play, and finishes third ? a distant third, to be fair ? in the Atlantic Division.
? Nightmare season: Injuries are again the Terps? Achilles heel, handing Edsall and Maryland a repeat of last year?s four-win total.
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING
? Where Maryland fans hang out: You could always hang out at Terrapin Times, Inside MD Sports and Turtle Sports Report, the three biggest Maryland fan sites. But don?t forget about these solid blogs: Tracking the Terps, from The Baltimore Sun, Testudo Times and Turtle Waxing. And for great coverage of all area sports, including the best college lacrosse coverage in the country, check out Patrick Stevens? work at D1scourse.com.
? All-name team nominee: WR Tyrek Cheeseboro.
UP NEXT
? Who is No. 65? This university?s athletic director has three children. The eldest shares his first name with a clothing line founded in 2002.
2013 TEAM OVERVIEW
? Conference: ACC, Atlantic
? Location: College Park, Md.
? Nickname: Terrapins
? Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 5 defense)
? Last year?s ranking: No. 86
? 2012 record: 4-8 (2-6)
? Last year?s re-ranking: No. 88
? 2013 schedule:
Aug. 31 Florida International
Sept. 7 Old Dominion
Sept. 14 at Connecticut
Sept. 21 West Virginia
Oct. 5 at Florida State
Oct. 12 Virginia
Oct. 19 at Wake Forest
Oct. 26 Clemson
Nov. 9 Syracuse
Nov. 16 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 23 Boston College
Nov. 30 at N.C. State
Paul Myerberg, a national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @PaulMyerberg.
PHOTOS: COUNTING DOWN TO NO. 1
85: Kent State ? Led by electric running back Dri Archer, Kent State will try to stay at a high level of achievement after an 11-3 season despite losing their coach to Purdue in the offseason. Prior to last season, Kent State was the lone FBS program with roots in the 20th century with a career winning percentage below .400 ? it stood at .388, to be precise. Prior to last season, Kent State had not won more than six games since 1987. Prior to last season, Kent State was mired in a run of 32 non-winning seasons in 34 years. Then, last season, The Flashes came within a whisper of the Bowl Championship Series, believe it or not, and would have been the underdog story to end all underdog stories.?
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