OFFENSE

While Maryland lost its head coach and both coordinators during a turbulent winter, the program’s cornerstone remains intact. Quarterback Danny O’Brien emerged as one of the nation’s best young quarterbacks during a freshman season in which he threw 22 touchdown passes, the second-highest single-season total in school history. A devout student of the game, O’Brien had an efficiency rating of 134.5, first in the league among returning quarterbacks.

Three starting offensive linemen and two capable running backs will rejoin O’Brien. Running back Davin Meggett had a team-high 720 rushing yards. Short-yardage back D.J. Adams collected 11 touchdowns, a school record for a freshman.

It won’t be easy to replace wide receiver Torrey Smith. Quintin McCree (16 receptions) and Kevin Dorsey (15) are the returning leaders in receptions. Freshman Adrian Coxson, a transfer from Florida, could emerge.
 

DEFENSE

Seven of the top 10 tacklers return on a defense defined by aggressiveness and physicality. To ensure that the best 11 players are on the field, coach Randy Edsall made a number of position changes, including moving Kenny Tate, one of the league’s most disruptive forces, from safety to the Star position, a hybrid linebacker/safety slot. A first-team All-ACC selection in 2010, Tate used his size and speed to excel at several defensive positions last season, when he led the league in forced fumbles.

Another playmaker, Demetrius Hartsfield (152 career tackles), moves from weak-side to middle linebacker. The defensive line is stout with the return of tackles Joe Vellano, who emerged from obscurity to earn second-team all-league honors, and A.J. Francis, who has played in every game the last two years.

The Terrapins will take the field with their top two cornerbacks from last season, seniors Cameron Chism and Trenton Hughes.
 

SPECIALISTS

The kicking game looms as a concern. Good luck filling the rather large shoes of Travis Baltz, an accomplished punter for four years who also filled in admirably as last season’s placekicker. The two best punting options are a walk-on and true freshman. Nick Ferrara will get his opportunity to kick field goals and extra points after losing his starting spot last season. Few worries exist in the return game. The elusive Tony Logan, who last season established himself as one of the nation’s best punt returners, returned two for touchdowns. He could also be tapped to fill the void left by Smith at kickoff returner. 

FINAL ANALYSIS

Many vocal fans were less than enthused at the school’s move to hire Edsall to replace the fired Ralph Friedgen, a two-time Coach of the Year. But the pieces are in place for a strong opening act of the Edsall era. The coach who built the Connecticut program from the ground up inherits a mature team intent on building upon a resurgent nine-win season. The Terrapins return more than 75 percent of the offensive and defensive players from the two-deep depth chart at the end of last season.

Maryland has an emerging star at quarterback in O’Brien, who wowed coaches and fans alike with his poise, and an experienced, healthy offensive line. The versatile Tate is the face of a defense that scored four touchdowns last year, which ranked sixth nationally. Logan is a constant threat in the return game.

The schedule is tougher, but the team is better positioned to challenge in the Atlantic Division than it was last season.