2008 overall record: 8-5

2008 conference record: 4-4

Returning starters: Offense: 6, Defense: 4, Punter/Kicker: 1

Top returns: QB Chris Turner, RB, Da’Rel Scott, OL Phil Costa, WR Torrey Smith, LB Alex Wujciak, CB Anthony Wiseman, FS Terrell Skinner, P Travis Baltz

Key losses: C Edwin Williams, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, CB Kevin Barnes, DT Jeremy Navarre, LG Jaimie Thomas, TE Dan Gronkowski, LB Dave Philistin, DE Mack Frost, LB Moise Fokou, PK Obi Egekeze

Fall Fantasy Question

The Offensive Line. The Terps lost three starters, and will have four players in new positions. Bruce Campbell is the only player returning to his old spot at left tackle. The two starting guard spots are up for grabs, as Lamar Young and Andrew Gonnella flip-flopped all spring on the left side. Justin Lewis played better toward the end at right guard.

Terps starting QB Chris Turner (courtesy ISM.com)

Team Breakdown

Quarterback – The Terrapins have experience coming back at quarterback in Chris Turner. Turner has started three straight seasons for the Terps. Last year he passed for 2,516 yards and 13 touchdowns, but he also had 11 interceptions. Turner doesn’t wow you with his talent, but is a very effective quarterback. Backup Jamarr Robinson didn’t throw a pass last season. 2008 Stats: Turner – 214 for 374, 2,516 yards, 13 TDs, 11 INT, 43 rushes for -154 yards, 1 TD.

ACC Rank – 9

Running Back – The Terrapins have their own 1,000 yard runner coming back in underrated Da’Rel Scott. Scott last year gained 1,133 yards on the ground and was named first team All-ACC. Along with Scott, Davin Meggett and Morgan Green form a formidable backfield. Meggett gained 457 yards for a 5.13 yards-per-carry average. Green, who should also see some playing time, ran for 72 yards in the Humanitarian Bowl. 2008 Stats: Scott – 209 rushes for 1,133 yards, 8 TDs, 21 receptions for 171 yards. Meggett – 89 rushes for 457 yards, 4 TDs, 9 receptions for 79 yards. Green – 24 rushes for 112 yards, 3 TDs, 1 reception for 6 yards.

ACC Rank – 3

Wide Receiver – The Terrapins lost the majority of their playmakers at this position as Darrius Heyward Bey, Danny Oquendo, and TE Dan Gronkowski have all graduated. Torrey Smith is the unit’s only returning starter and he had 24 receptions for 336 yards last year. Ronnie Tyler was a gem playing as a freshman last year and figures to be the other starter. 2008 Stats: Smith – 24 for 336 yards, 2 TDs. Tyler – 20 for 225 yards, 1 TD.

ACC Rank – 10

Tight End – Tommy Galt looks like the starter at TE. He has been a career backup at Maryland. Expect the tight end position to be more of an additional blocker as the offensive line has struggled throughout the spring. 2008 Stats: Galt – 1 for 18 yards.

ACC Rank – 10

Defense - The loss of defensive tackle Jeremy Navarre, defensive end Mack Frost, and linebackers Moise Fokou and Dave Philistin is a big blow to the front seven of this team. The fact is that Maryland is only returning 4 starters from last year which is not what they need when they lost a ton of talent at wide out and so long as the offensive line remains in flux. Maryland really needs it secondary, led by cornerback Anthony Wiseman and safety Terrell Skinner to step up and be leaders or else they are going to struggle tremendously.

ACC Rank – 12

Kicker/Special Teams – To quote special teams coach Charles Bankins:

 ”The kicking job is wide open. Nobody has run away with anything. The guys are going to be competing all summer for the kicking job.”

If that doesn’t tell you the state of affairs for Maryland’s special team, I don’t know what will. The Terps are forced to replace senior Obi Egekeze, not that it should be a huge undertaking as he only hit 62% of the time. Watch for a possible youth movement here with sophomore Mike Barbour possibly starting in the fall. Torrey Smith had a kick return for a touchdown and look for him to try and do the same a couple more times again this year. 2008 Stats: None for the Kicker. Smith – 1 kick return for TD.

ACC Rank – 12

Related posts:

1. ACC Preview: Maryland Terrapins
2. Clemson Tigers 2009 Team Preview
3. Virginia Cavaliers Team Preview 2009
4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2009 Team Preview
5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Team Preview 2009

Tags: Terrapins