Maryland 2006 Team Preview

When Maryland finished 5–6 and missed playing in a bowl game after the 2004 season, Terrapins fans considered it an anomaly given coach Ralph Friedgen’s torrid start at his alma mater. But since it happened again last season, there are legitimate concerns about Maryland’s football future in the expanded ACC.

The Terrapins lost their two star players, All-America tight end Vernon Davis and linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, along with their top three wide receivers, and they still have concerns at quarterback. With a schedule that includes grueling road games against five teams that played in bowls last season, as well as home games against traditional powers Florida State and Miami, Maryland might be a year away from marked improvement.

Friedgen, who earned the reputation of an offensive genius as an assistant at Georgia Tech and in the NFL, has taken a larger role in directing a unit that was plagued by turnovers and red zone woes. “I’m tired of losing,” says Friedgen. “It’s about time to start winning again.”

LOWDOWN

Coach: Ralph Friedgen (6th season, 41-20)
2005 record: 5-6
ACC finish: 3-5 (t-4th Atlantic)
2005 I-A offensive rankings:
Rushing: 73rd (134.8 ypg)
Passing: 31st (249.1 ypg)
2005 I-A defensive rankings:
Rushing: 78th (165.7 ypg)
Passing: 19th (184.8 ypg)

DEPTH CHART

Offense (5)

WR  84  Isaiah Williams  So.  85  Terrell Skinner  Fr.
WR  11  Drew Weatherly  Sr.  8  Darrius Heyward-Bey  Fr.
LT  70  Stephon Heyer  Sr.  73  Scott Burley  Jr.
LG  69  *Donnie Woods  So.  76  Jaimie Thomas  So.
C  60  Edwin Williams  So.  72  Phil Costa  Fr.
RG  63  *Andrew Crummey  Jr.  66  Garrick Clig  Jr.
RT  78  *Jared Gaither  So.  58  *Brandon Nixon  Jr.
TE  13  Dan Gronkowski  So.  15  Jason Goode  Jr.
QB  14  *Sam Hollenbach  Sr.  19  Jordan Steffy  So.
FB  32  Tim Cesa  Jr.  43  Matt Deese  So.
TB  44  Lance Ball  Jr.  33  Josh Allen  Sr.

Defense (6)

DE  40  *Jeremy Navarre  So.  98  Omarr Savage  Jr.
NT  92  Dre Moore  Jr.  99  Rob Armstrong  Jr.
DT  95  *Conrad Bolston  Sr.  68  Carlos Feliciano  Jr.
LEO  55  *Trey Covington  So.  50  Jermaine Lemons  Jr.
WLB  1  Erin Henderson  So.  53  Moises Fokou  Jr.
MLB  35  Wesley Jefferson  Jr.  42  Chase Bullock  So.
SLB  54  *David Holloway  Sr.  34  Dave Philistin  So.
CB  4  *Josh Wilson  Sr.  2  Kevin Barnes  So.
CB  5  Isaiah Gardner  Jr.  9  Richard Taylor  So.
SS  12  Marcus Wimbush  Sr.  29  Jeff Allen  So.
FS  3  *Christian Varner  Jr.  30  J.J. Justice  Jr.

Special Teams

K  22  Dan Ennis  Sr.
P  36  Adam Podlesh  Sr.
KR  4  Josh Wilson  Sr.
PR  17  Danny Oquendo  So.

(#) Indicates number of returning starters
* Indicates returning starters

2006 SCHEDULE

Sept. 2  William & Mary
Sept. 9  Middle Tennessee
Sept. 14  at West Virginia
Sept. 23  Florida International
Oct. 7  at Georgia Tech
Oct. 14  at Virginia
Oct. 21  NC State
Oct. 28  Florida State
Nov. 4  at Clemson
Nov. 11  Miami
Nov. 18  at Boston College
Nov. 25  Wake Forest

OFFENSE

Coach Ralph Friedgen takes control of an offense that was second in the ACC in passing but plagued by turnovers and red zone woes. Senior quarterback Sam Hollenbach was a vast improvement over Joel Statham, the Terrapins’ starter in 2004, but Hollenbach still struggled with his decision-making and turned the football over too many times. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,539 yards and 13 touchdowns, but also threw 15 interceptions and lost five fumbles while playing with an injured left shoulder.

The Terrapins struggled running the football at times last season, but that could change with the return of senior Josh Allen, who missed all of last season while recovering from torn knee ligaments suffered late in 2004. Allen is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball, which should complement the running style of junior Lance Ball, a hard-nosed, between-the-tackles runner.

The Terrapins lost their top four receivers from 2005, none more important than Vernon Davis, a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft. Davis and receivers Danny Melendez, Jo Jo Walker and Derrick Fenner combined to catch 76 percent of Maryland’s 210 completions last season. Maryland will be counting heavily on a plethora of young, unproven wideouts, including Darrius Heyward-Bey and Isaiah Williams.

The return of senior Stephon Heyer, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, and mammoth sophomore Jared Gaither gives Maryland two of the best bookend tackles in the country. Guards Andrew Crummey and Donnie Woods are tough and intelligent.

DEFENSE

Six starters are back from a defense that kept Maryland in a lot of football games last season, despite the offense’s woes. The Terrapins must get more production out of their front four to free up their athletic linebackers to make plays. Sophomore defensive end Jeremy Navarre has the potential to be a quality pass rusher, and senior defensive tackle Conrad Bolston is a plug in the middle. Freshman Melvin Alaeze could shore up the pass rush if he qualifies.

Junior linebacker Wesley Jefferson will attempt to fill the large shoes of departed All-American D’Qwell Jackson, the team’s leading tackler in each of the last three seasons. Senior David Holloway is the only returning starting linebacker, but the return of sophomore Erin Henderson, the younger brother of former Maryland All-American E.J. Henderson, should bolster the unit.

The Terrapins were especially stout against the pass last season, allowing only 184.8 yards per game and four touchdowns, fewest in the ACC. But they must create more turnovers after getting only nine interceptions in 2005. Cornerback Josh Wilson and free safety Christian Varner have the potential to be outstanding.

SPECIALISTS

Adam Podlesh is the top returning punter in the ACC and averaged 43.6 yards per punt last season, nailing 17 of his 44 kicks inside opponents’ 20-yard line. None of his punts were blocked. Dan Ennis got off to a very strong start in his first season as the team’s placekicker, making his first 11 field goal tries, but then he missed eight of his last 14.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Friedgen’s first three Maryland teams went 31–8, played in three straight bowl games and won the 2001 ACC championship. His last two teams each went 5–6 and didn’t play in the postseason. The Terrapins will be hard-pressed to show much improvement in 2006, after losing their top playmakers on offense and their best defender.

This Maryland team preview was pulled from our 2006 National College Football preview magazine.  To order this or the 2006 ACC Regional preview magazine - with expanded team page coverage and conference features - click here