Maryland Football: Spring Practice Storylines That Matter

Maryland football spring practice is here; let’s take a look at the storylines that matter – what’s the big deal, what to worry about, and what’s all set.

How quickly can D.J. Durkin turn Maryland into a player …

Randy Edsall didn’t get much of a break in terms of his team’s injuries, and the offense went into the tank early on last year. The program was ready for a change, and now it has its guy in D.J. Durkin, the former Michigan defensive coordinator and Florida assistant whose first goal is to give the team an identity.

Can the Terps be anything more than a speedbump for the rest of the Big Ten East? It might not take quite as long as you might think.

It might have been ugly throughout last year, but several young players got their chances and now the payoff has to come with eight starters back on offense and just enough talent back on defense for Durkin to work with. He knows how to crank up the defensive intensity, and he has options to play around with for an offense that’s all but starting from scratch.

No one’s thinking Big Ten title right away, but the spring should change the team around. Durkin isn’t Jim Harbaugh, but his team might have that same sort of intensity right away.

No one is worried about …

The receiving corps. The offense is going to more of an up-tempo, spread style that should allow the receivers to shine. The defense should come around and be terrific by the time the fall camp kicks in, and the playmakers have to emerge in the offensive backfield, but there’s a very good, very promising receiving corps in place to expect far more from the woeful passing attack. Levern Jacobs and Taivon Jacobs should form a dangerous 1-2 punch, and even though Amba Etta-Tawo and his 20 catches left the program, almost everyone who caught a pass last season is back.

Extra attention must be given to …

Quarterback. Now someone has to run this new offense and start to get the receivers the ball. Perry Hills threw 13 interceptions and Caleb Rowe 15 – and they’re the best options. There’s hope on the way with Max Bortenschlager and Tyrrell Pigrome two very good recruits, but if the Terps are going to be anything this year, Hills has to cut down on the mistakes, take to the offense this spring, and be far steadier. It still might be an open casting call going into the fall.