2004 Statistics

Quarterback
The one aspect that will literally spell the difference between a bowl contender and another six-loss campaign would be this unit's achievement. This is no secret in College Park. Is it going to be Statham or Steffy, Steffy or Statham? Well now you can add the name Hollenbach to the mix, making this three-man race as wide open as it has been here in quite some time. The race could have included four, but local DeMatha High School prep star Ryan Mitch has quit the team. You get the picture - lots of talent, only one job opening. At times last fall, both Joel Statham (10-game starter) and true freshman Jordan Steffy (coming off the bench) looked totally lost. Desperate for something to salvage here, coaches threw dice and saw Sam Hollenbach have a solid outing (win over Wake Forest). This put him in a position to now challenge for the job. Statham knows the system better, and he also has good size and possesses the needed physical skills. Hollenbach is not quite as mobile and lacks arm strength, but his decision-making and timing are better. Jordan Steffy came in carrying a great deal of prep press, but, as expected, his first year of collegiate ball was a difficult transition - his physical tools couldn't overcome the (lack of) mental capabilities for someone of his age. All three will take snaps with the first team this spring, though the starter won't be known until late into August. Any announcement sooner would mean one of them has broken away to shine, a great sign for Terp fans if it can come true. Moreover, look for early struggles to this time pay off by campaign's end.

Running Back
This will be the first spring in quite some time the Terps do not have a clear-cut RB, as both fullback and tailback are totally up for grabs. Much of this has to do with (returning lead rusher) Josh Allen likely having to sit out '05 with a severe knee injury suffered the last game of 2004…a tough blow, but he still has a redshirt season available. The current battle for top TB is now between two homegrown talents, senior Mario Merrills (Columbia) and sophomore Keon Lattimore (Owings Mills), brother of current Baltimore Ravens' star Ray Lewis. Also keep an eye on unsung youngster Lance Ball, the most underrated of the bunch. Only his fumbling habit needs work; his slippery fingers are the thing that kept him from seeing more reps. Merrills is more of a 'North-South' type runner (not as shifty), but he does possess a speed factor (one of the three fastest Terps). Lattimore is the big physical specimen, with both speed and vision that Maryland has not seen in a long time, while Ball is more of a bruising power back. The FB is used very little in this scheme in terms of carries, but the position at least has the best depth on this side of the rock, so the choices are many when needed. This may be the next-most-watched position battle of spring, though the outcome won't be nearly as scrutinized as the QB choice.

Receiver
Maryland must find new heroes to step up and take the spotlight here. The WR position has needed this for some time, and with a new position coach taking over as well (Bryan Bossard), expect names to emerge quickly. Key losses can be noted with Steve Suter and Rich Parson departing; however, experience exists with Derrick Fenner and Jo Jo Walker. Fenner was the team's top pass catcher of 2004. Look for both of these senior veterans to be heavily counted on as the leaders of the group, though both have size issues when up against big corners. This will likely mean they fall into playing the possession roles needed with still-emerging QBs. Other exciting possibilities are Danny Melendez (deep threat), who was hampered all of last fall with a hamstring, and Drew Weatherly. Neither has met expectations, but both are big bodies who show a great upside. Silver Spring frosh Darius-Heyward Bey and his speed (4.38-sec 40) will find the field come September. Plenty of talent exists for this unit to be the surprise needed to spark the QB's level of play.

Offensive Line
Two former all-ACC selections and several other reserves have moved on for various reasons, leaving the Terps with another offseason project and youth as their only material for rebuilding. On the positive side, according to coaches, this may be the most athletic group UM has seen this decade. At left tackle, all-ACC candidate Stephon Heyer will be one of two seniors to anchor and lead this group. After giving up 22 team sacks, his protection on the developing QB's blind side becomes most crucial. Fifth-year senior guard Russell Bonham is up for a breakout season after displaying flashes of promise, but recurring knee problems have been a major distraction. Hopes are high, with newcomers Brandon Nixon, Scott Burley, Jared Gaither and Jaimie Thomas - all highly recruited four-star labels- ready to shine. This unit will manage to achieve better than 2004's 2.9 per carry and 12 TDs, but how much better they are than last year's effort (108th-ranked total offense) will go a long way towards defining this campaign.

Tight End
The Terps will rotate players here depending on the formation. TEs are mostly used for blocking while H-Backs are used more in the passing package, and Maryland will even line up in a two-tight end formation. Considered by many to be the biggest prized thoroughbred wearing a Terrapin uniform is H-back Vernon Davis, the team's most physically gifted athlete (4.5 speed; 6'5" high jump) on either side of the ball. Look for Davis to line up at TE and/or slide out to (slot) receiver after he led the team in receiving yards and TD catches while only starting five games. Larger Derek Miller will be a regular tight end with three years of reps upon which to rely.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The men tossing the pigskin last season were at times beyond ghastly, as they ranked ninth in the conferences' rushing and passing stats. It does not take rocket science to understand Ralph Friedgen's offensive system and how to make it work, but it does require taking a team approach. Most important is the sequencing - for the passing game to function with average QBs, first the ground dimensions must work. Accordingly, a new go-to RB must be found and (then) one of last season's QBs must emerge far improved. Plenty of quality receivers are available, just no one to get them the ball…yet. It will be another disturbing season if the backfield does not step up.

Linebacker
Make no mistake…this is Maryland's best unit as the starters will return (eventually) intact. Second-team NationalChamps.net all-American LB D'Qwell Jackson and his amazing tackling prowess will continue to offer a fearsome presence in the middle. Jackson will miss contact drills this spring with wrist surgery, giving coaches plenty of time to fill the back-up issue(s) at hand. Some movement is bound to happen with all of the talent here. David Holloway anchors at SAM (strongside). His sleek physicality brings a well-disciplined combination ability to effectively (pass) rush on blitzes and cover the pass. On the weak side, William Kershaw has become one of the rising stars here, coming on exceptionally strong at 2004's end. He is continuing this progress by being noted for his dedicated work out nature. Of course, Kershaw has to be good to hold off Wesley Jefferson, one of the most prized recruits UM has on its roster - the consensus No. 1 prep linebacker in the country out of nearby Brandywine, MD. Wesley uses his speed well, but couldn't fully develop due to an ankle injury. Jefferson could also slide over to the middle if and when needed. Depth is as plentiful now as LB's Coach Tim Banks has ever seen at College Park, with freshman like Erin Henderson (brother of two-time Terp All-American E.J. Henderson) turning heads, too.

Defensive Back
The secondary of a year ago has, similar to last offseason, been dismantled. Secondary reconstruction is a common theme under coordinator Gary Blackney, and the revamping has so far worked fabulously (pass defense ranked 8th; nation's second best by allowing only 7 aerial scores). The CB spots are more secured than their iffy safety spots because upperclassmen Josh Wilson and Gerrick McPhearson return. McPhearson is one of the team's most athletic players at any skill position (10 pass breakups). But neither had an INT, though Wilson did cause two fumbles. The bad news…depth behind them is based on a couple of redshirt freshman that have yet to see the field. Look for some experiments to occur this off-season with so much youth, especially at safety with guys like future star Chris Varner, who was forced to learn early on the job last year as a freshman, and Notre Dame-transfer Isaiah Gardner. Marcus Wimbush, coming back after dealing with injury problems his whole career, would really offer a boost if ready. These guys can all be left to cover without LBs need be, but given the speedy talent of the corps, look for this unit to again shine - they can either press effectively or hone in to finish as they keep the play in front of them. Any way you slice it, foes will run first, no doubt.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Maryland's defense has stood its ground over the past under the direction of defensive coordinator Gary Blackney. He will be dealing with depth problems up front and in the secondary in terms of inexperience. But do not mistake inexperience with a lack of talent. To no great surprise, D'Qwell Jackson is the superstar reaping awards in the pre and post-seasons, and the LB corps surrounding him will somewhat carry the entire defense, especially at first. Last season's D returned only three starters, and since they only bring five back this time, expect the worst - that is, for things to drop off marginally, not disastrously - and be happy when they come close to 2004's 21st- (total defense) ranking. The real question is: can this side of the ball (if it comes down to it, and it very well may) again win games for the Terps?