Terps Football: Looking Ahead To The Fall

A month has passed since the Spring Game, and yet we are still months away from the opener of the Coach Durkin era (September 3rd vs. Howard). Some Terps Football thoughts as we look ahead.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

The Offensive Line Has Quality Depth

A liability for years, the OL appears to finally be getting to a point where there is some quality depth. When talents such as Derwin Gray, EJ Donahue, and Quarvez Boulware are currently projected as reserves; you are on to something. In the Fall, others such as Terrance Davis, and Richard Merritt (among others) get added to the mix. Neither Davis, or Merritt figure to be in the 2-Deep, and that’s a good thing.  With Gray entering his 3rd year as part of the program, I’d really like to see him break through and secure a starting spot on the line, along with Damian Prince (not an either / or situation).

Will the Maryland O-Line now be good enough to regularly win 1 on 1 battles at the line of scrimmage? If so, the offense as a whole can take a leap.

Walt Bell’s Offense

While it is slightly personally depressing that new Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell is only 31, I’m really looking forward to seeing his offense. Our colleague Zack Kiesel provided a nice look at Bell’s offense (unfortunately the video no longer is available) a few months ago. Bell has reiterated numerous times in the interim that his offense is adaptable to the talent that is available. That excites me. The Terps have weapons. If his innovation and scheming provides ways to get the ball to MD’s playmakers more often than the prior regime; Saturdays will be more fun.

The RB Options

At the end of last year, RB looked pretty thin.  With the transfer in of Trey Edmunds, Wes Brown again being available, things look pretty good here. Ty Johnson showed a lot of explosion as a Freshman. I don’t know how many carries Johnson can get a game, but if Bell can find ways to get him the ball in space; he’s going to have a big year. Beyond that trio, you have three different Freshman (Lorenzo Harrison, LaDerrien Wilson, and Jake Funk) to be excited about. Funk was an early enroll, and got time practicing this Spring. That should give him a leg up on the other two.

Bell’s offense apparently does not utilize FB’s. As such, on top of the aforementioned six guys, Kenneth Goins is also available for some carries. Though given the current strength at RB, I think the former Baltimore Sun All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year should be moved to LB.

Four different players last year at Arkansas State (Bell’s former team) had at-least 99 carries, and 600 yards rushing (including QB Freddi Knighten).

Moore, the Jacobs Brothers, &…?

D.J. Moore gained a lot of playing experience, and showed a lot of potential as a Freshman. Will he be able to impose his will weekly as a Sophomore?  He looks like he can be a monster, but he has to prove it. The other projected starters are the Jacobs brothers, Levern, and Taivon. The Senior Levern has twice led Maryland in receptions. The Junior Taivon has outstanding speed. That now has to translate to consistent production.

What’s behind them?

Catonsville native DeAndre Lane is entering his Senior season. A HS RB, Lane had some moments last year when he got on the field. Only 5’7, he often gets overlooked. I suspect Bell will look to find ways to get him touches. Lane is listed as the back-up PR in Kiesel’s current depth chart.

In the earliest moments of his tenure, Durkin is having success recruiting in Florida. The prior regime brought in Jahrvis Davenport from the Sunshine State. As with Moore, Davenport got a good amount of playing experience as a Freshman.

Not to be overlooked, is another Senior – Malcolm Culmer. Kiesel currently has Culmer backing-up T. Jacobs in his projected depth chart.

Maryland will have two Freshman WR’s – Tino Ellis, and DJ Turner – from DeMatha Catholic joining their corps this Fall.  Most people seem to think Ellis can force his way into action early this year, while Turner is likely to RS. Coming from DeMatha, have to think both will be more polished than most typical Freshman. I’m curious to see if Turner can on-the-field as part of the return game.

Three Quality TE’s…

Avery Edwards impressed me last year. The former North Carolina recruit, has good size, hands, and is not a plodder. Derrick Hayward was also a solid recruit with excellent size. He served a RS year in 2013, so he is preparing to begin his 4th year with the program. He was an afterthought under Coach Edsall’s staff, maybe he will be recharged under Durkin’s? Andrew Isaacs has been lost to injury each of the last two years. Can he stay on the field? What do we see from him, if he does?

While Waiting For Joshua Kaindoh, and Cam Spence…

I’m of the opinion that teams are built from the lines out. We talked above about the growing depth on the O-Line. Landing the verbals of 5 Star Kaindoh, and the 4 Star Spence for the D-Line is huge… but neither will arrive in College Park until August 2017. (Of course both are just verbals at this time, and Maryland fans need to wait until they become official with their Letter of Commitments to get extremely excited.)

While we wait for their arrival, and continue to mourn the early departure of Yannick Ngakoue (3rd round to the Jacksonville Jaguars); let’s appreciate what does exist now.

For my money, Junior Jesse Aniebonam might be the most talented player on the roster. That’s not a slight at Will Likely, just a compliment to Aniebonam. I expect him to be a force.

Adam McLean was removed from the MD roster last September with a qualifying issue, then enrolled again last January. He didn’t get practice time last Summer as he was still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered during his Senior year of HS.  Since he didn’t have that practice time, and he wasn’t with MD during the Season, he’s likely probably still pretty raw, and carrying some rust. McLean did get some time this Spring though, and Durkin was quoted as saying he came on towards the end of camp. When McLean first committed to Maryland, it seemed like people quickly forgot about his abilities, and were focused on him being a local Pied Piper for other recruits. Rivals.com had McLean as the 2nd best player overall in the State of Maryland during 2015. Have to expect 2016 will be a growing experience for him, but there should be playing time available. Can he help slow the running game of opposing offenses? Can he help collapse the pocket from the middle?

One of the more interesting players to watch this Fall is Melvin Keihn. The former Under Armour All-American, transferred into Maryland last year from Virginia Tech. Kiesel currently has Keihn listed as Aniebonam’s back-up. Myself, I think MD needs to find ways to regularly have both on the field at the same time.

Roman Braglio, David Shaw, Kingsley Opara, Chandler Burkett, Malik Jones, and Cavon Walker were all solid recruits. Not spectacular talents, but more than warm bodies. With Mike London now Coaching the DL, will Maryland get more out of this group? Who will develop the most?

LB Looks Thin

The good news is that MD brings back Jalen Brooks, and Jermaine Carter as starters. They have that great combination of experience and talent. The feel good story is that Shane Cockerille looks like has found a home.

The bad news is the depth looks thin.

On the other-hand, Gus Little, Tyler Burke, and Nnamdi Egbuaba were all 3 star recruits who have now had time in the program. Some visible development from these three this Summer will make all MD fans sleep a bit easier.

Incoming Freshman Dion Goldbourne seems like a likely RS candidate if he stays at DE. That’s based on every report on him saying he needs time in the gym to add strength. If he is moved to OLB in August, could his speed force his way into the 2-Deep?

(Looking ahead to the ’17 Class, would be great if Jordan Anthony wanted to join his IMG teammates Kaindoh & Spence, and if Tyshon Fogg decides he wants to stay in State.)

Will Likely and?

Going into the Fall, Kiesel has the Secondary’s 2-Deep as:

CB) Will Likely, Darnell Savage
FS) Josh Woods, Jarrett Ross
SS) Denzel Conyers, Milan Collins
CB) Alvin Hill, Antwaine Carter

Likely is the man, and I’m relatively comfortable with the Safety depth. While pleased that Hill and Carter are around; I’m admittedly looking towards the Freshman class for some immediate help at Corner.

One of those Freshman was Antwaine Richardson, who like the RB Funk was an early enroll. Does that work this Spring, give him a chance for some playing time this Fall? I hope so.  I also hope that Tyrek Tisdale gets a long look this Summer.

Given the limited numbers at LB, I can see MD sometimes utilizing 4-2-5 looks. There are athletes in the back-end, put them on the field. 

How Special, are the Special Teams?

Pete Lembo has taken over Maryland’s Special Teams. Last year, I was very lukewarm at the start of the season with continuing to use Likely in the return game. It was never a question of his ability, it was worry about increasing his potential injury risk, and the worry of not having him available in the Secondary.

I’ve come around. Edsall and his staff were correct. He’s too much of a weapon not to use. Every time he touches the ball, he has the chance of taking it to the house.

As we said above, Kiesel has Lane as the back-up PR, and I’m curious to see if Turner can have some immediate impact here.

Going into the Summer, it appears that the starting PK is Adam Greene, and the Punter is Wade Lees.

Oh Yeah… What About QB?

Perry Hills and Caleb Rowe are both Seniors, and both have played a lot. During their time at Maryland, both have dealt with poor offensive lines, and been asked to compete against teams with superior talent and depth. Given that, one wants to give both some benefit of the doubt, and a clean slate.  Especially as they now move into a new offensive system. Each provide something to work with. Hills displays good leadership ability on and off the field, toughness, and an ability to make plays with his legs. Rowe has a quality arm, and better pocket skills.

Both got time in the new system this Spring. That matters.

My overall thought is that while both deserve an opportunity this Fall, I don’t think MD is necessarily locked into either for the duration of this coming year. It’s hard to give either a completely clean slate, because they’ve both previously shown questionable decision making. If you allow either to start this Fall due to their experience, then it’s important for them to show that the experience they have matters. Meaning if it’s the middle of camp, or you are several weeks into the season, and you are questioning their judgement; then their being members of the Senior class should start to actually play against them. Under Durkin, Maryland is embarking on the process of trying to build something. If they aren’t producing in the manner you want them to, then attention will have to turn to the players who will be part of future Terps teams.

The other returning QB is Gage Shaffer.  The 6’7 Sophomore has his supporters, namely Joe Theismann.

As with Hills and Rowe, Shaffer goes into Fall with an advantage over the incoming Freshman Tyrrell Pigrome, and Max Bortenschlager.

With reason, people are excited about the prospects of 2017 verbal Kasim Hill. Like we mentioned with Kaindoh, and Spence; we have to wait until he becomes truly official before we anoint him the future. Even if he does become official, he’s not going to be in a Maryland uniform until August 2017. So, I think the focus needs to remain with the guys currently here.

I understand Pigrome’s mechanics need refining, and there is question of his QB abilities, but you can’t teach athleticism, and at the college level you can out athlete the opposition. If it’s the middle of August, and Hills and Rowe are not impressing, I’d be tempted to give Pigrome the chance to just go make plays, in a simplified offense.

The main reason I probably would not do that though is….

What Does The Schedule Look Like?

Maryland’s OOC schedule begins with Howard at home on September 3rd, and followed by road trips to Florida to face Florida International, and the University of Central Florida.

For the Terps to immediately improve record wise over last year, they need to win these three games. Howard is a given. FIU should be, but it’s on the road, on a short week. Get off to a good start, and take immediate control.

Last year was a disaster, but Central Florida is not far removed from a Fiesta Bowl experience. I could not be any more excited about what we’ve seen from Durkin so far, but prior to his hire I had written several times about wanting to see Scott Frost considered by Maryland. Hired by UCF, Frost seems to be exciting their fans like Durkin has done with Maryland’s.

Back-to-back road games, 1,000 miles from home? Could be difficult. Like MD, UCF wants to get rid of the taste of 2015. You can be assured they’ve circled MD as a game they also need to win.

Based on these early OOC games, I do see the logic of going with Hills and/or Rowe, and hoping their Senior experience will prove to be enough.

After the OOC portion, it’s 9 straight weeks of Big Ten Conference play.

Overall, I look at the schedule like this:

Must and expected wins: Howard, FIU
Swing games: UCF, Purdue, @Penn State, Minnesota, @Indiana, @Nebraska, Rutgers
Expected losses: Michigan State, @Michigan, Ohio State

The three expected losses are all Big Ten East games. Each team expected to be among the Nation’s Top 15. I do want to see Maryland be more competitive in the games vs. the Spartans and Buckeyes than they have been previously. Despite their losses to the NFL this year, I don’t think you can expect MD to win those games. With Jim Harbaugh entering his 2nd year at Michigan, anticipation for the Wolverines is through the roof. An upset vs. any of those three would be spectacular.  I’m particularly interested in the MD / Michigan game given Durkin’s familiarity with the Wolverines. 

At Nebraska could probably be listed as an expected loss, but I at-least give MD a chance.

It’s plausible that MD could get off to a 4-0 start with the three OOC games, followed by Purdue at home. Undefeated while heading to Penn State could be fun. Have to earn those wins first.