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2012 Statistics: 12 games played, 4 games started
Nick Klemm was not a highly-rated recruit coming out of high school. He wasn’t thought of as a future starter when he first stepped foot in College Park. But through hard work and dedication, he worked his way up the depth chart and became a solid starting option for the Terps at offensive tackle. He is expected to be the Terps’ starting right tackle in 2013.
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As a 2-star offensive tackle out of Wheeler High School in Georgia, Nick Klemm had two scholarship offers from FBS schools. Those two schools were Maryland and Boston College. He committed to Boston College, but after then head coach Jeff Jagodzinski was fired by the Eagles for interviewing for the vacant New York Jets head coaching position, Klemm reconsidered his options and committed to Maryland.
During his first three seasons at Maryland, he didn’t see much action on the field. Klemm redshirted his first season and served as a backup in his second and third seasons. The majority of his playing time came on the field goal unit. But in his junior year, he came into camp and earned the starting left tackle job. But he failed to impress the coaches as a starter, and was eventually replaced by freshman Mike Madaras.
But that’s not to say that Nick Klemm is not a solid option for the Terps in 2013. He will certainly have to play better at right tackle this season than he did at left tackle last season. There will be another true freshman waiting in the wings if he doesn’t perform up to par: Derwin Gray. While most scouts see Gray as a left tackle, he has the talent and athleticism to play either spot. Even though everyone knows how much Randy Edsall hates starting true freshmen on his offensive lines, if Gray is the best option he will assuredly make that move.
Overall, it is reasonable to think that Nick Klemm will be perfectly fine as the Terps’ right tackle in 2013. He is a good athlete who is constantly working to get better. That work ethic has earned him tremendous respect with coaches and teammates alike, and should help him have a good senior season. On an offensive line built on toughness and smashmouth running, Klemm fits right in.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.