Before the season, we ran down the true freshmen and their chances at playing. Not all of our predictions have come true, but I enjoy talking about true freshmen, so I'm giving it another go.
With Maryland's season teetering on the brink, it's not irrational to expect quite a few true freshmen to burn their redshirts in the coming weeks. Here's an overview of where the young'uns are right now.
- D.J. Adams, RB - Yet to play. He's moving up the depth chart, but is still behind both Morgan Green and Gary Douglas. Seeing how Douglas dominated the scrimmages and still hasn't seen the field, it's safe to assume he won't see any PT this year.
- Justin Anderson, DE - Yet to play. Fridge indicated he might play next week, and to be honest, that's surprising. I was expecting Arnett to get the first shot, though I've heard good things about Anderson. It looks like he won't keep his redshirt.
- DeOnte Arnett, DE - Yet to play. I think the coaches really want to keep his redshirt, as he's more naturally talented than Anderson, who is likely to play, and Ross, who already has played. I would wager against seeing him anytime this year.
- Cody Blue, OL - Yet to play. Maryland needs OL big-time, but the problem isn't with the talent-level of the OL (well, not as much with the talent level) as it is with experience. Sticking a guy with even less experience isn't helping matters. Blue will sit.
- C.J. Brown, QB - Yet to play. Chris Turner is one of the few guys who's done his job correctly on offense, and won't be seeing the bench anytime soon. Worse, Brown is behind Danny O'Brien for the #3 QB job.
- Josh Cary, OL - Yet to play. A walkon, Cary won't see the field this year.
- Pete DeSouza, OL - Yet to play. One of the more talented freshman OL at Maryland this year, DeSouza might have a shot if the other, more established options don't improve. Even still, I don't think his redshirt gets burnt.
- Ryan Donohue, LB - Yet to play. One thing Maryland needs on defense is speed. Seeing how Donohue is an Alex Wujciak clone, I don't think he's helping the Terps out in that category. Plus, a few LBs have already burnt their shirts.
- Darin Drakeford, LB - Has seen time on special teams and a few defensive plays. Drakeford is being slowly brought into the defense, but his reps should heavily increase in the coming weeks. He brings speed and athleticism, something Maryland needs. If the reps don't increase, then this is Cam Chism Pt. II.
- Nick Ferrara, K - Won starting job. Ferrara has had a few big makes (JMU winning kick) and a few big misses (MTSU 43 yarder). Overall, he's done about what I and most others expected him to do. He shouldn't lose his job unless his performance gets worse, so this was a smart burn.
- Alex Fletcher, WR - Yet to play. A walkon, he's not cracking Maryland's stacked WR corps for a few years.
- Eric Franklin, S - Yet to play. Honestly, I expected Franklin's shirt to be burned last week. Jamari McCollough has been out since Cal, and Franklin was expected to step into the 4th safety spot. Even if he doesn't, he might see time on ST.
- Bennett Fulper, G - Has started twice. Fulper must've really impressed the coaches in order to gain the starts against JMU and MTSU, and his pull block in the first quarter against the Blue Raiders paved Da'Rel Scott's way to a 48 yard TD. However, he has been pulled out late in both games, so whether he'll start the rest of the way or not is a bit iffy.
- Avery Graham, CB - Yet to play. While CB is a position of need, I don't think Graham will be the true freshman to step in. I can't know what's on the coaches' minds, but I'd assume McDougle and Hawkins would be ahead of Graham in line.
- Travis Hawkins, CB - Yet to play. Speaking of THawk, the physical corner might fall into the same trap as DeOnte Arnett: the coaches are trying to avoid burning his redshirt. I'm not sure that's what they're doing, but Wiseman is getting beaten badly, Chism isn't yet reliable, and Hughes and Taylor are unproven. You'd think the talented and strong Hawkins would be able to crack the lineup, but I wouldn't bet on it right now.
- Bradley Johnson, LB - Yet to play. I'm yet to hear Johnson's name mentioned by any practice report from any outlet. Probably won't see time this year.
- Zachariah Kerr, DT - Has seen time in a few defensive plays. Kerr should start seeing heavy rotation. A.J. Francis and Travis Ivey haven't been too bad, but Kerr is very talented and is the future at DT. This was a smart burn.
- Nick Klemm, OL - Yet to play. Very similar to Blue, he's talented and at a weak position, but the OL needs more inexperience like Mark Mangino needs a Baconator.
- Dexter McDougle, DB - Yet to play. McDougle's biggest plus is his versatility - he can play at either CB or S. If McCollough's injury lasts even longer, McDougle will challenge Franklin for that 4th spot. If Hughes or Taylor prove unable to be a reliable cover corner, he'll fight with Hawkins for that spot. One way or another, it's likely McDougle sees the field.
- Avery Murray, LB - Has seen time on special teams. I'm actually surprised Murray hasn't seen the field on defense yet. He's done well in practice and the coaches are looking for linebackers. He has Drew Gloster in front of him, but he should still get a few reps. Otherwise, I'm not sure I like the burn.
- Danny O'Brien, QB - Yet to play. See C.J. Brown. Unless there's an injury, in which case he'd battle Jamarr Robinson, O'Brien is keeping his shirt.
- Caleb Porzel, RB - Yet to play. Porzel's been hurt for several weeks now, which has to have been a set-back to his development. He'd have trouble seeing the field healthy - he has almost no chance while fighting off an injury.
- Isaiah Ross, LB/DE - Has seen action in a few defensive plays. He's been effective and productive in his few plays, so don't be surprised to see him get a few more reps.
- Dave Stinebaugh, TE - Yet to play. He's behind Lansford Watson, Tommy Galt, Matt Furstenburg, and Devonte Campbell, all of whom have seen decent PT. A fifth TE isn't necessary; his redshirt is safe.
- Pete White, G - Yet to play. His situation is very similar to DeSouza's, though he has a slightly better shot at playing. If Justin Lewis, Andrew Gonnella, Bennett Fulper, or Lamar Young can't come through, the huge, talented guard might be pushed into action.
- Marcus Whitfield, LB - Yet to play. I'm a Whitfield fan, but with three LBs already having their shirts burned, I'm not sure he'll have his name called.
Okay, so that leaves Anderson/Arnett, Franklin, Hawkins, McDougle, and White as the freshmen who are most likely to play. At least one of the guys whom I said wouldn't play will play - that's just the way it always ends up. My guess, with absolutely no logic behind it, is Bradley Johnson.