July 31, 2000

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In three seasons under Ron Vanderlinden, the Maryland Terrapins have made dramatic strides toward returning the Terps' program back into the national spotlight. Those improvements were initially reflected in statistics, both offensively and defensively, and last season those strides emerged in the win column.

Hard luck hit the Terps after a 5-2 start in 1999, however. Despite the impressive start, Maryland's bowl hopes were dashed by a pair of last-minute defeats and a patchwork quarterback rotation which resulted after a knee injury to nine-game starter Calvin McCall. McCall, second nationally in total offense among freshmen, missed the season's final two games including a 34-30 season-ending setback to Virginia which saw the Cavaliers mount a winning score with 26 seconds remaining.

That heart-breaking loss ultimately denied the Terps a trip to the Aloha Bowl, but did not overshadow the significant improvements over the course of the season. Not to be forgotten, either, was one of the most dominating single-game rushing efforts in college football history.

LaMont Jordan's 306-yard rushing performance against Virginia - the third-best running game in ACC history - was more than a footnote to a devastating loss. Instead, it cemented his status as one of the nation's premier running backs while serving as a precursor to his senior season and the Terps' drive to climb still higher in 2000.

Jordan returns as one of America's most formidable offensive weapons - chosen by College Football News, in fact, as the third-best offensive player in the country and listing prominently on Heisman Trophy watch lists in virtually every preseason publication. Beside him are 14 other returning starters including backfield mate and fullback Matt Kalapinski, three offensive linemen, a pair of all-star kickers and a complete linebacking corps that Lindy's Preseason Annual rated as the No. 8 unit in the country.

The climb continues for the Maryland Terrapins in 2000. The Terps received votes in national polls for seven consecutive weeks a year ago, and this season they hope for nothing short of cracking those polls and representing the Atlantic Coast Conference in a postseason bowl.

QUARTERBACK

The Terps, who have opened 15 of their last 17 games with a freshman or redshirt freshman starting at quarterback, return their top two signal-callers from last season in sophomores McCall and Latrez Harrison, who combined for 11 starts in 1999. Added to the mix is junior college transfer Shaun Hill, a two-year starter at Hutchinson (Kan.) CC who was rated among the top JC quarterbacks in the country by SuperPrep.

The trio, who shared snaps during spring drills, head into fall camp in a closely contested battle, with McCall and Hill listed 1 and 1A and Harrison right behind.

The triggerman in Maryland's rejuvenated offensive attack in '99, McCall keyed the Terps' 51-spot jump in the NCAA total offense rankings last season. In nine starts, McCall passed for more than 1,200 yards, rushed for 256 and had the lowest interception ratio in the ACC (nearly 60 to 1). He was a strong contender for ACC Rookie of the Year honors before a knee injury (torn medial collateral) late in the ninth game wiped out the remainder of his season. McCall finished second to Virginia Tech's Michael Vick among freshman I-A quarterbacks in passing efficiency and total offense.

His absence early in spring drills meant that Harrison, one of the prizes in Maryland's 1999 recruiting class, shared the No. 1 position with newcomer Hill. Both performed admirably, but it was Hill's pinpoint passing command before and during the annual spring game that earned the transfer a shot at starting duties this fall.

Said Vanderlinden about his returning starter, "Calvin displayed a great deal of field presence as a redshirt freshman and did a nice job executing our offense. He displayed natural leadership ability and should only continue to improve every part of his game."

And on McCall's challengers, Vanderlinden added, "Shaun Hill picked up our offensive system very quickly this past spring. He displayed the ability to find the open receiver, and he throws very accurately. Latrez continued to develop as a quarterback this past spring. He possesses a very strong arm and will only continue to get better as he learns the offense."

In the Red-White game last April, Hill led all quarterbacks with 152 yards on 13 of 16 passing, including touchdown drives for both teams. His 47-yard aerial to Scooter Monroe was the longest pass of the evening. At Hutchinson, Hill accounted for 2,058 yards of total offense in 1999 and was rated the No. 5 JC quarterback in the country by SuperPrep.

Harrison saw spot duty as McCall's backup last season before getting starts in the final two games. He shared a majority of snaps during spring ball with Hill, and later McCall when he joined camp following his return from the hardwood as a walk-on member of the Terps' NCAA Tournament basketball team.

Also on the depth chart are blue-chip freshman Chris Kelley out of nearby Seneca Valley in Maryland, and juniors Gil Harris and Matt Langlie. With McCall, Hill and Harrison in the forefront after spring drills, Kelley can be expected to redshirt and begin grooming for future seasons.

QUARTERBACKS

TAILBACK

Heisman candidate LaMont Jordan spearheads a running game that last year led the ACC and ranked 12th nationally in rushing yards per game (238.1). Jordan, who led the nation in rushing yards during the second half of the 1999 campaign, sat out spring practice in order to concentrate on his academics. He enters the 2000 season as the NCAA's leading active career rusher, with 3,227 yards in 32 career games (100.8 per game average), and as the NCAA's second-leading returning rusher from 1999.

A second team All-American by a number of sources last season, Jordan finished fifth in the country in average rushing yards per game (148.4) in 1999. He enters his final college campaign among a noted few that blanket every preseason All-America team and watch lists for the Doak Walker Award and the coveted Heisman Trophy.

Included in his numbers from 1999 were seven 100-yard rushing efforts, including six of 150 yards or more and the school-record 306-yard outburst. In five games against teams advancing to bowl games, Jordan averaged a hefty 164 yards per game, including the best effort by a running back against Florida State (169) in nearly five seasons.

Jordan, who has the ability to hurt teams inside and outside, needs just 91 yards to break Maryland's career rushing record and 1,376 yards to shatter the ACC's all-time rushing standard.

Said Vanderlinden on the attributes of his Heisman candidate running back, "LaMont has the three qualities you look for in great back: speed to go the distance, agility to make defenders miss, and size and strength to finish a run."

Jordan's absence in spring ball, though, created more opportunities for Mukala Sikyala, Bruce Perry and Marc Riley as his primary backups.

Sikyala and Perry spent last season backing Jordan. The duo combined for 320 yards on 53 carries last season. Perry averaged 6.5 yards per tote, Sikyala averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Riley shifts back to tailback after serving as the team's No. 2 fullback a year ago.

Added Vanderlinden on the rest of his tailback stable, "Bruce has excellent speed, maneuverability and toughness for a running back of his size. Mukala combines speed, movement and leverage, and Marc is starting to develop into the big, physical running back that we hoped he would be. All three of these guys vary in their running styles and all will help us."

A newcomer to watch is junior Chris Downs, a transfer from Valley Forge Military Academy who is a former Philadelphia Daily News Inter-Academic Player of the Decade honoree.

RUNNING BACKS

FULLBACK

Senior Matt Kalapinski, one of the ACC's most underrated backs, is the other half of one of the country's most formidable rushing tandems. A tandem which, in fact, has helped the Terps earn a No. 7 backfield unit ranking by Lindy's Preseason Annual. Kalapinski himself was ranked the No. 3 fullback in the country by The Sporting News.

Rankings alone can't begin to reflect Kalapinski's value to the Terps' offense. Kalapinski's blocking was instrumental in the Terps' leading the ACC and ranking 12th nationally in rushing yards per game in 1999. And although his rushing attempts were minimal - Kalapinski rushed 34 times for 157 yards - he still averaged a hefty 4.6 yards per carry and was tackled behind the line of scrimmage on just one occasion. Over the past two seasons, Kalapinski has rushed for 527 yards, six touchdowns and a 4.8-yard average.

Said Vanderlinden of his hard-nosed fullback, "Pound for pound, Matt may be the toughest football player in our conference. He is a good blocker and a very good ball carrier when he gets his hands on the football. He is deceptive in his ability to make defenders miss him in open space."

Kalapinski totaled a season-high 64 yards on 13 carries vs. Virginia and finished second on the squad in touchdowns (4) in 1999. He rushed for a career-high 87 yards against the Cavs as a sophomore, and a week later rumbled for 80 at West Virginia.

Depth behind Kalapinski is provided by sophomore Chad Killian, who appeared in six games in 1999, redshirt freshmen Bernie Fiddler and Zac Ryder, and true freshman James Lynch of Washington, D.C.

WIDE RECEIVER

The Terps return four of their top five wideouts from '99 and will compensate for their only graduation loss with the addition of Moises Cruz, who is returning to the squad after taking a one-season leave of absence.

Cruz, a 5-11, 172-pounder, totaled 44 receptions during the 1997 and '98 seasons, ranking either first or second on the team in receptions each year. He started 18 of the 21 games he saw action in during his freshman and sophomore campaigns.

He will add experience and depth to a veteran corps which features a pair of three-year lettermen in seniors Jason Hatala and Omar Cheeseboro and two-year lettermen Guilian Gary and Doug Patterson. Gary, who emerged as a bona fide receiving threat last season, topped the Terps in receptions (24) in 1999. Hatala averaged a team-high 22.7 yards per catch in 1999 while Cheeseboro caught nine passes for 111 yards.

Sophomore Scooter Monroe was one of three true freshmen to see action for the Terps last season, the 6-1, 189-pounder had a 76-yard touchdown reception vs. Western Carolina among his three catches. And redshirt freshman Jafar Williams exhibited last spring that his skills are worthy of playing time, also.

"The wide receiver position is the deepest it has been in my four years at Maryland," said Vanderlinden. "Jason Hatala, Moises Cruz, Omar Cheeseboro and Guilian Gary have all demonstrated the ability to make big plays in the passing game. Each has the quickness and speed to get deep, and each is very competitive. Scooter and Jafar both have shown the ability to be quality ACC receivers, too, and only need to continue to develop their skills."

The Terps strengthened this unit in the off-season, signing Maurice Shanks, Rob Abiamiri and Steve Suter to letters of intent in February. All are highly thought of receivers who figure to make an impact in the near future.

WIDE RECEIVERS

TIGHT END

Maryland will look to one of four contending athletes to replace 22-game starter John Waerig, one of the most feared blockers in the ACC the past two seasons who completed his eligibility in 1999 and now plies his trade with the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jeff Dugan spent the 1999 season as a redshirt while acclimating himself to the Terrapin offense, and the Maryland coaches are high on his progress. Dugan was rated the top tight end prospect in the state of Pennsylvania when he signed with the Terps in February of 1999.

Matt Murphy has been moved back to his normal tight end position after spending part of last season as a backup on the defensive line. The 6-5, 250-pound two-year letterman, who shared time as a backup at the position in 1998, has all the physical tools necessary to be quality tight end. He sat out spring drills, however, after undergoing surgery on both shoulders during the off-season.

Said Vanderlinden, "Jeff challenged Mike Hull for the starting tight end position this spring. He is a tall, physical football player who has the potential to develop into an outstanding player, both as a blocker and as a receiver. Matt has the speed, size and athleticism to be a quality tight end in the ACC. He should only get better as he continues to get his strength back."

Eric James, whose three touchdown receptions in 1999 were the most by a Terrapin tight end since 1986, also missed spring drills, but is expected to challenge Dugan and Murphy for the starting role, pending his return in the fall. Also vying for time at the position is senior letterman Mike Hull, who spent the 1997 season as the Terps' regular tight end and split time with Dugan during spring 2000.

"Eric has significant playing time under his belt as the second tight end," added Vanderlinden. "He should be ready to assume the starting position and be the quality receiver and blocker that our offense needs."

Signing with the Terps this past February was true freshman Ryan Flynn of Youngstown, Ohio.

TIGHT ENDS

OFFENSIVE LINE

Three starters return from an offensive front that yielded an ACC-low 11 quarterback sacks in addition to paving the way for the ACC's top-rated rushing unit (234.1 ypg) last season: center Melvin Fowler, who has started all 22 games the past two years, tackle Matt Crawford, a second team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News, and left guard Todd Wike, a 10-game starter in '99.

The Terps must find replacements for left tackle Brad Messina (32 career starts) and right guard Jamie Wu (22 career starts), who capped their careers with second team All-ACC recognition last season and both of whom found their way to NFL jobs last summer.

Maryland's rise up the ACC and NCAA statistical rankings in the past two years can be attributed to the consistent effort provided by the offensive front, which has been instrumental in the Terps going from ninth to first in ACC team rushing since 1997 and from 105th to 54th in NCAA total offense rankings from 1998 to '99.

With the exception of Fowler, a redshirt junior, and senior tackle Tim Howard, this is a group dominated by underclassmen. Ten of the 12 offensive linemen on the roster are either sophomores or younger.

Howard, who is in his fifth season in the program, is slotted in the No. 1 position at left tackle and will be challenged by redshirt freshman Eric Dumas. At right guard, sophomore Bob Krantz will be pushed by junior letterman Chris Snader and redshirt freshman Lamar Bryant in a battle to see who replaces the graduated Jamie Wu. Snader returns after missing spring drills in order to concentrate on academics.

The center position is in better shape with the return of backup Sam Marvis, a sophomore who missed all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Redshirt freshman Brandon Miller is No. 3 on the depth chart going into spring camp.

"Melvin is an All-ACC honors candidate and possesses outstanding quickness and technique," said Vanderlinden. "Matt Crawford and Todd Wike also return after being full-time starters last season. Matt is a very physical and prideful player who should continue to get better. Todd has added size and strength, he is very athletic and pulls very well."

The coach added, "Howard had an improved spring and brings a great deal of leadership and experience, having played both guard and tackle during his time at Maryland. He enters our fall camp as our starter at left tackle."

Newcomers include tackles Lou Lombardo of Baltimore and C.J. Brooks of Rex, Ga., guards Reggie Kemp of Hyattsville and James Evans of Teaneck, N.J., and center Kyle Schmitt of Latrobe, Pa.

OFFENSIVE LINE

DEFENSIVE LINE

Maryland's up-front personnel will undergo a near-complete makeover, as three regulars who combined for 77 career starts have seen their eligibility expire. Gone are All-ACC first-teamer Delbert Cowsette and ends Peter Timmins and Erwyn Lyght. The only holdovers are senior Kris Jenkins and junior Charles Hill, who combined for 11 starts at an inside position in '99. Jenkins and Hill are the lone upperclass letterwinners in a unit that features two sophomores, three redshirt freshmen and three true freshmen in an 11-man group.

Jenkins, a 6-5, 292-pounder who has started eight times each of the past two seasons, has totaled 92 career tackles in 30 career games, including a career-best 10 stops vs. Georgia Tech in 1999. He heads into spring camp No. 1 on the depth chart at a defensive tackle spot and is expected to be backed by redshirt freshman Scott Smith and junior college transfer Chris Earhart from Montgomery College. Smith was moved from the offensive line, where he contributed on the scout team in 1999.

Said Vanderlinden, "Kris Jenkins will anchor our defensive line. He has outstanding size and quickness. I expect Kris to be a dominant force up front for us this fall."

The 6-2, 283-pound Hill, who has earned six starts in the past two seasons, is listed No. 1 on the depth chart at nose tackle. He is backed by redshirt freshmen Landon Jones and Tosin Abari and true freshman Cole Boykin.

"Charles Hill has enough experience under his belt, having played as both a freshman and sophomore, to step up and become a quality defensive lineman in the ACC this fall," added Vanderlinden.

At the defensive end spot vacated by Timmins, sophomore William Shime and sophomore Durrand Roundtree are expected to battle for the starting spot. Shime saw limited action in 1999.

DEFENSIVE LINE

LINEBACKERS

The Terps, who started an all-sophomore linebacker crew in every game in '99, are well-stocked at the inside and outside positions. In addition to four prominent juniors - Aaron Thompson, Marlon Moore, Kevin Bishop and E.J Henderson - Maryland also has tested reserves in Monte Graves and Ryan Swift as well as four redshirt freshmen in Leroy Ambush, Nick Farver, Leon Joe and Mike Whaley.

"The linebacker position should be the strength of the defense," said Vanderlinden of his nearly all-junior linebacking corps.

He continued, "All three starters return. Aaron Thompson returns as one of the league's leaders in tackles for losses. He has outstanding speed and hitting potential. Kevin Bishop returns after knee surgery and he, too, has outstanding speed and a knack for getting to the ball. Marlon Moore also possesses outstanding speed and toughness and helped make a very quick impact to our team last season."

Moore wasted no time stepping in to replace Kendall Ogle, who made the Cleveland Browns roster after finishing second in the ACC in tackles in '98. Moore paced all Terrapin defenders and finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in average tackles per game (11.8) in '99, registering a career-best 16 stops vs. Clemson. He also had a pair of 15-tackle games in addition to returning an interception for a touchdown in a win over North Carolina.

His inside linebacker mate, Kevin Bishop, was on pace for a 100-tackle season before he was shelved with a torn anterior cruciate ligament vs. NC State in the season's ninth game. Bishop, a transfer from South Florida, had a season-high 20 tackles vs. Clemson among his 84 stops. Bishop underwent successful surgery in December and is expected to return in August.

Thompson has been a fixture at outside linebacker for the past two years, starting all 22 games in '98 and '99. The Baltimore native is chasing Maryland's career record for tackles for losses - he has 26 in 22 games - and is on pace to finish among Maryland's all-time tackle leaders. With 111 tackles last season, Thompson now has 198 in his career, which puts him right on pace for a top-five Maryland ranking before his career is over. He will enter fall camp backed by redshirt freshman Leroy Ambush and true freshman Kenneth Jerry.

At the rush linebacker position, redshirt freshman Mike Whaley moved into the No. 1 spot entering fall drills with an impressive spring camp. He is backed by two-year letterman Ryan Swift, who has seen most of his action on special teams, and true freshmen Jon Condo and Kevin Eli.

Vanderlinden added, "I feel as if we have the best starting trio of linebackers in the ACC and I'm also encouraged by our depth at that position. I expect Leroy Ambush, Leon Joe, Monté Graves and Reggie Lewis to all contribute at the linebacker positions and on special teams."

LINEBACKERS

SECONDARY

Six lettermen return to a secondary unit that will be minus the services of 1999 All-American Lewis Sanders, a cornerback/kick returner who declared for the NFL draft after sharing the national lead in individual takeaways (six interceptions, three fumble recoveries) last fall.

Despite Sanders' decision, it is still a veteran unit for the Terps, who list one senior and four juniors among their top eight defensive backs. Shawn Forte, the lone senior, anchors the unit from his free safety position, where he ranked among the ACC leaders in interceptions (4) last season. He will be backed by quarterback-turned-safety Randall Jones, a versatile talent who figures to play a more prominent role in Maryland's defense after re-acclimating himself to the opposite side of the ball a year ago.

At strong safety are two-year letterman Rod Littles, who ranked tied for third on the squad in total tackles (84) while starting nine games in '99, and junior Tony Jackson, last year's opening-game starter who is back after being granted a medical hardship (broken ankle).

"We should be strong at the safety position," reiterated Vanderlinden. "We have four players returning with extensive game experience. Forte has the ability to earn All-ACC honors with the speed, size and athleticism to cover a lot of field in the passing game. He also is very physical against the run, as is Rod Littles. Rod, too, has had significant playing time already and has improved greatly in his pass defense.

"Randall Jones, for the first time, enters a season with a spring and preseason as a defensive back. Randall has outstanding ability and just has to play to improve. Tony Jackson returns after missing most of the 1999 season. He started as a true freshman and has tremendous instincts in the passing game."

The corner positions will feature a veteran in junior Tony Okanlawon, who started the final three games and four overall last season, and redshirt freshman Curome Cox, who is expected to be an impact newcomer in 2000. It is at the corner posts where the Terps may be impacted most greatly by incoming freshmen.

Said Vanderlinden, "At the corner position, I expect freshmen to emerge into the two-deep. Help could come from high-profile recruits Rovel Hamilton, Dennard Wilson or Ray Custis."

Okanlawon, though, is an experienced player who has played in 20 games over the past two seasons, recording a career-high 12 total tackles late in the campaign vs. NC State in '99. He is considered a bona fide all-league candidate. Cox is a local product who played on the scout team last year after signing with the Terps out of Arlington, Va. Another redshirt freshman, Andrew Smith, Jr., is expected to compete for immediate playing time.

"Tony had an outstanding spring and has displayed the ability to be one of the conference's best corners. Curome emerged from spring drills as a starter at the other corner position and has the size, strength and speed to be a good ACC corner. He just needs to play and gain experience. He should get better with each game."

Other true freshmen include Ike Roberts and Curtis Williams.

SECONDARY

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brian Kopka, who came within one field goal of tying a Maryland single-season record (17) in 1999, returns for his senior campaign as a legitimate candidate for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top kicker. Kopka, an honorable mention All-American by Football News, is 34 of 49 lifetime on field goal attempts. He was also an effective weapon on kickoffs as a junior, as 57 percent (35 of 61) of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. He enters his final collegiate campaign in the No. 5 spot on Maryland's career scoring list (168 points).

Said Vanderlinden, "I look for Brian to have an outstanding season. He is extremely dedicated and has the experience of being a three-year starter under his belt."

Sophomore Brooks Barnard returns as the incumbent punter after taking over the No. 1 duties in the season's fourth game. Barnard was a major surprise for the Terps who ended up with a 42.1-yard average and third team Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News. The Terps rose 41 spots in NCAA net punting statistics after Barnard took over. He had 11 punts at least 50 yards in length.

Both kickers ranked among national leaders last year - Kopka was 19th in field goals and 44th in scoring, Barnard was 34th in punting average.

Overall, special teams performance should be a strength in 2000, with return units also showing vast improvement and quality results in the past two seasons. Junior Guilian Gary heads a cast of quality return artists. He ranked among national punt return leaders in 1999 and is on pace to challenge Maryland team marks for career return yardage.

Another notable in providing special teams continuity over the past three seasons is long-snapper Scott Rudolph. Rudolph has started every game during the Vanderlinden era and begins his final season snapping on punts, field goals and PATs.

Lindy's Preseason Annual called the Terps' kicking game the best in the ACC. College Football News echoed the same ranking for Maryland's special teams.

SPECIALISTS