2013 Projected Depth Chart

After Randy Edsall met with the media yesterday, we learned a few things about how the Terps’ depth chart will look in 2013. The biggest news is that DB Matt Robinson is moving from strong safety to outside linebacker. This is similar to when DB Kenneth Tate made the same move two years ago. Edsall cited Robinson’s size as the main reason for the move.

QB: 1. C.J. Brown, 2. Ricardo Young, 3. Perry Hills, 4. Caleb Rowe, 5. Shane Cockerille

The quarterback position is very interesting this season. Randy Edsall made it clear that he wants to redshirt either Perry Hills or Caleb Rowe. Shane Cockerille will likely be redshirted as well. I would expect to see Rowe and Cockerille redshirted, leaving Brown, Young, and Hills as the Terps’ top 3 quarterbacks this season.

RB: 1. Wes Brown, 2. Brandon Ross, 3. Albert Reid, 4. DeAndre Lane

Running back will be a strength for the Terps in 2013. Wes Brown and Brandon Ross were both very productive last season, and Albert Reid saw the field as well. The Terps lose RB Justus Pickett to a transfer this season, he wanted to be closer to home. Freshman DeAndre Lane is a speedy guy who can play slot-receiver and running back.

FB: 1. Tyler Cierski, 2. Kenneth Goins

The bruising Cierski returns for his junior season with the Terps in 2013. He is one of the better fullbacks in college football, and was a 4-star recruit out of high school. Even though the fullback is becoming less prevalent in football today, the Terps will find a way to get him on the field to lead the way for Wes Brown and Brandon Ross. He will be backed up by redshirt freshman Kenneth Goins from Gilman.

WR: 1. Stefon Diggs, 2. Deon Long, 3. Marcus Leak, 4. Nigel King, 5. Taivon Jacobs, 6. Levern Jacobs, 7. DeAndre Lane, 8. Tyrek Cheeseboro, 9. James Bowman

Wide receiver is the Terps’ most talent-laden position in 2013. Joining Stefon Diggs and Marcus Leak is 5-star JUCO recruit Deon Long, who many project to have first-round NFL talent. Nigel King and the Jacobs brothers provide quality depth, Lane could see time at WR/RB, and Cheeseboro will continue to showcase his incredible special teams talents. Expect the Terps to use a lot of 4 and 5 WR sets this season, especially with the thin depth at tight end.

TE: 1. Andrew Isaacs, 2. Dave Stinebaugh, 3. Daniel Adams, 4. P.J. Gallo

The tight end position takes a huge hit for the Terps in 2013. The top 3 tight ends on the depth chart in 2012 are graduating, forcing freshman Andrew Isaacs right into a starting role. He will be given time to grow within the offense, but will likely see the field a bit less than a normal starting tight end. Transfer Daniel Adams and Dave Stinebaugh will compete for the #2 spot.

LT: 1. Mike Madaras, 2. Ryan Doyle, 3. JaJuan Dulaney

Originally thought to be the spot for incoming freshman Derwin Gray, it looks more and more like sophomore Mike Madaras will not be the one moving across the line this season. Ryan Doyle and freshman JaJuan Dulaney provide quality depth.

LG: 1. Silvano Altamirano, 2. De’Onte Arnett

The left guard position could really go a few different ways in 2013. JUCO recruit Silvano Altamirano will compete with 2012 starting RG De’Onte Arnett for the spot. If Arnett doesn’t win, he could either back up Altamirano or start at RG.

C: 1. Sal Conaboy, 2. Evan Mulrooney, 3. Stephen Grommer

Conaboy and Mulrooney will battle for the starting center job in the spring. Conaboy has a year of experience over Mulrooney, but both saw playing time last season. Grommer provides depth.

RG: 1. Andrew Zeller, 2. De’Onte Arnett, 3. Gary Harraka

The outcome of the right guard position is going to depend on the outcome of the left guard position. Silvano Altamirano would likely start at left guard, but could start at right guard if necessary. Essentially, Altamirano, Arnett, and Zeller are interchangeable at guard. They can all play both left and right guard, so the coaching staff just has to decide which two they want to start, and where.

RT: 1. Derwin Gray, 2. Nick Klemm, 3. Jake Wheeler

The right tackle position will be heavily battled for as well. Nick Klemm will start here in the spring, and 4-star OT Derwin Gray will compete for the job with him in the summer and fall. Gray is widely thought of as a left tackle, but if he can make the transition to right tackle, he has the talent to start in his freshman season.

LDE: 1. Quinton Jefferson, 2. Justin Anderson

Joe Vellano’s spot on the depth chart will be taken over by either Quinton Jefferson or Justin Anderson. They will have a lot to replace in Vellano, but should be able to do a serviceable job.

NT: 1. Darius Kilgo, 2. Kingsley Opara, 3. Alex Walker

The nose tackle position is locked down by junior Darius Kilgo, but 2012 backup NT Isaiah Ross was suspended for the 2013 season, leaving a gaping hole in the depth chart. Incoming freshman Kingsley Opara will battle with junior Alex Walker for backup duties.

RDE: 1. Keith Bowers OR Andre Monroe, 3. Justin Anderson

Andre Monroe is back after missing his sophomore season with injury. This position was once held by A.J. Francis, but Bowers and Monroe will fill in nicely.

LOLB: 1. Matt Robinson, 2. Alex Twine, 3. Cavon Walker

Taking Kenneth Tate’s spot on the depth chart is another converted safety, Matt Robinson. Robinson certainly has the size to play linebacker, checking in at about 240 lbs. His conversion will take place this spring, as he learns the new position. Alex Twine and incoming freshman Cavon Walker will provide quality depth.

MLB: 1. Cole Farrand, 2. L.A. Goree, 3. Abner Logan, 4. Jalen Brooks, 5. Jermaine Carter

Returning to a starting inside linebacker role this season is junior Cole Farrand, who showed he could be a solid player last season. Starting alongside him is solid junior L.A. Goree, who has seen a good amount of playing time over the past two years. Redshirt freshman Abner Logan will provide quality depth, as he was a 4-star recruit in 2012. 3-star freshmen recruits Jalen Brooks and Jermaine Carter will provide quality depth.

ROLB: 1. Yannick Ngakoue, 2. Marcus Whitfield, 3. Derrick Hayward

The second-most prized recruit in the Terps’ Class of 2013 (behind WR Deon Long) is Ngakoue. He projects to start immediately in the Terps’ 3-4 defensive scheme, backed up by senior Marcus Whitfield and incoming freshman Derrick Hayward.

CB: 1. Dexter McDougle, 2. Jeremiah Johnson, 3. Isaac Goins, 4. William Likely, 5. Alvin Hill

The Terps return both of their starters at cornerback for 2013, and senior Dexter McDougle and junior Jeremiah Johnson look to have very solid years. Senior Isaac Goins will also play a huge role in the Terps’ defense in 2013. Incoming freshman William Likely has already impressed Randy Edsall, and will see the field a lot in his first year with the Terps.

FS: 1. Anthony Nixon, 2. Undray Clark, 3. Milan Collins

Sophomore Anthony Nixon takes Eric Franklin’s spot on the depth chart. Nixon saw playing time at both safety positions in 2012, and looks to build on that experience with a strong 2013. He will be backed up by Undray Clark and incoming freshman Milan Collins, who can also play quarterback.

SS: 1. Sean Davis OR A.J. Hendy, 3. Elvis Dennah

After Matt Robinson made the switch to outside linebacker, Sean Davis and A.J. Hendy were named co-starters at strong safety. Both saw the field a lot when Robinson was injured in 2012, and will look to build off of their experience just like Anthony Nixon at free safety. Incoming freshman Elvis Dennah is very versatile, and can also play outside linebacker.

K: 1. Brad Craddock OR Brendan Magistro OR Adam Greene, 4. Michael Tart

The kicker spot is completely up for grabs in 2013. Brad Craddock failed to impress in his freshman year, and that led to Brendan Magistro getting a quick look at kicker towards the end of the season. Add in walk-on Adam Greene and you have a great competition in the spring. Any one of these players could win the job. If Craddock doesn’t win, expect him to compete with Renfro for punting duties.

P: 1. Nathan Renfro, 2. Brad Craddock, 3. Michael Tart

Renfro had great moments and terrible moments last season as the Terps’ starting punter. If he can get a bit more consistent with his punts, he could be another in the line of great Maryland punters (Travis Baltz, Adam Podlesh). If not, expect Aussie Brad Craddock to get a shot at punting.

KR: 1. Stefon Diggs, 2. DeAndre Lane, 3. Taivon Jacobs

Stefon Diggs was a huge success in his first season as the Terps’ return man. His big-play ability was showcased perfectly returning kicks. He could be joined occasionally in the returning backfield with incoming freshman DeAndre Lane or Taivon Jacobs.

PR: 1. Stefon Diggs, 2. DeAndre Lane, 3. Dexter McDougle

Diggs will obviously start here again, and DeAndre Lane looks to provide depth at this position.

LS: 1. Greg Parcher, 2. Christian Carpenter

Senior long snapper Greg Parcher returns to the Terps for his final season of college football. He will continue to mentor 2014 replacement Christian Carpenter.